A Cleveland Heights homeowner is taking drastic measures to protect his property after multiple cars have crashed into it over the years. John Gao has seen three major incidents in the past decade, including a police chase in 2021 that ended with a car smashing into his kitchen and another crash in 2022 that destroyed his garage. Frustrated by the city's lack of action, he has taken matters into his own hands by covering his property with signs demanding change.
Gao says the situation has made it nearly impossible to get affordable homeowners insurance. His rates have skyrocketed, and he fears another claim could lead to his policy being dropped entirely. At one point, a guardrail stood in front of his home, but it was removed in the early 2000s, and the city has refused to reinstall it. Instead, officials placed large rocks as a temporary solution, which Gao believes is not enough to prevent future accidents.
The city has offered to buy his home at market value, but Gao refuses to accept the deal. With no mortgage and his home paid off, he argues that finding a comparable property at the same price would be impossible. Instead, he is demanding a real solution to keep his home safe.
In the meantime, Gao continues to paint and display signs, hoping to draw attention to the problem. He has even hired an attorney to push for action. Until the city steps in with a permanent fix, he fears his home will remain a target for reckless drivers.