Mansfield has torn down 16 vacant houses with money from the national mortgage settlement, with another 19 soon coming down.

Mayor Tim Theaker held a media briefing Thursday afternoon, flanked by Police Chief Dino Sgambellone, Community Development Director Donnie Mitchell, and two representatives of the Ohio Attorney General's office. 

The discussion focused on how removing blighted housing and the criminal element it attracts, not only improves quality of life but also safety.

The mayor's goal is to tear down 150 vacant houses by the end of the year.

Sgambellone found the demolished houses previously had 200 calls for service, some for serious crimes, some for nuisance problems.

By eliminating those calls, the short-staffed police department has officers freed-up to respond to other, perhaps more serious, calls.

The Attorney General's office expects to distribute more housing demolition money in a second phase, with Mansfield getting more cash to tear down more of the 2000 vacant properties.