City: Demolition contract permits company to take items from blast-damaged Realty Tower apartments

As the demolition continues at the Realty Building, City Councilman Julius Oliver said during Monday's meeting he is concerned over the theft issues he's heard about at the Realty Towers.
The upper nine floors of apartments were evacuated after the May 28th explosion damaged the building beyond repair. Residents were permitted to only retrieve valuables that firefighters could carry out for them earlier this month.
One woman told Councilman Oliver she tracked her MacBook being taken off the premises.
A July 19 21 News Watchdog report showed a video of what appeared to be demolition workers taking items from the building.
Although the police department is encouraging potential victims to file a police report, city officials explained Monday night that the demolition contract awarded to the company overseeing the work allows them to remove whatever they choose.
"We need to show respect for people's personal belongings during this time," Councilman Mike Ray said. "That is disgusting hearing this is happening."
Councilwoman Davis requested Mayor Tito Brown to investigate the ongoing alleged crimes at the demolition site.
YPD confirmed it is investigating alleged Realty Building thefts.