The old, overgrown cemetery in Northwest Jacksonville is buried under thick brush and thousands of dollars in fines.

The Spiers Brown Roberts Cemetery is located west of 33rd Street on Spires Avenue.

Neighbors said the property has been neglected for years, and city records show nuisance citations dating back to 1997.

Currently, there are more than $76,000 in fines, according to city officials.

Neighbors expressed frustration, saying no one comes to maintain or mow the cemetery.

Barry B. Ansbacher, a board-certified real estate attorney in Florida, explained that abandoned cemeteries are not unusual in the state.

“The owners of those cemeteries are required to have a trust fund so that there’s an income stream for perpetual maintenance to avoid these,” Ansbacher said. “When you’re de

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