There are over 100,000 homes in Springfield. But around many corners, instead of happy families, you'll find broken or boarded up windows. You've seen them around town, but CBS 3 broke these boards down to show you what it looks like on the inside.

We went along with two officers from the newly developed Ordinance Squad. Our first stop was at a 5 story abandoned business on Taylor Street, just blocks away from Main Street. The red carpet is still fresh, but trash now litters what used to be a greeting card store.

"Sometimes they pick up a corner to set up shop, where they're going to sleep, where they're going to live," says Ordinance Squad officer, Mark Kenney.

Squatters have taken over the building and with five stories to roam, we found signs of life with every step.

"They'll go out and they'll score some drugs or they'll get alcohol and they'll come in here and they'll use what they have," Kenney says.

In these cold winter months, Springfield sees an influx of squatters. Oftentimes they keep warm by setting fires. We discovered ashes from a fire lit not too long ago. Across the hall, we found more evidence of a burned out trash can, used to contain the flames.

"They're just looking to survive," Kenney says.

Sometimes those flames get out of control. Fire officials believe squatters are to blame for letting a fire get out of hand at a property on Leyfred Terrace in January.

The next stop is a house on Webster Street, not far from Mercy Medical Center. From the looks of it, you'd never tell it's a squatters haven.

"A lot of times they'll black out the windows so that the neighbors in the neighborhood can't tell anybody actually residing here," Kenney says.

At the home, we discovered a full functioning kitchen as well as a stocked pantry where the squatters kept their food. Across the way, we find their bedroom.

"They'll come up here, set up shop, they'll eat, they'll live like you and I do. Come home, have dinner and hang out," Kenney says.

The Ordinance Squad was developed by Mayor Sarno and the police department less than two weeks ago. And so far, residents have already seen major improvements.

"Everything's ok. It's pretty quiet. The cops are doing a good job," says South End resident Jose DeLeon.

Our last stop was a drug den not too far from where he lived. It's actually next to Emerson Wight Park, where children play.

We discovered a secret hole cut out in the fence, leading from the park, straight to the den. Stepping inside, we found needles and a metal cap used to cook heroine.

No one was inside this particular afternoon, but police say at night, when the squatters need a place to stay, abandoned homes is where they'll call home.

The Ordinance Squad will pass off the info to Code Enforcement and they'll board up the home.