More than 28 abandoned and boarded up schools in Gary, Indiana, contribute to urban blight — and in some cases have served as scenes of the worst possible crimes.

Local leaders say they are hopeful to turn the tide on a growing list of dilapidated school buildings, some of which were considered significant historic landmarks but now are in a state of ruin.

When The Times of Northwest Indiana first investigated this issue six years ago , there were 21 vacant school structures. Some of the government-owned buildings have since been demolished while additional schools have closed, bringing the current total to 28 boarded up behemoths spread across the city in a problem that has outpaced any attempted solutions.

The blighted schools have attracted crime ranging from trespassing to homici

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