Last Friday Jersey City police arrested Jaeock Kim, a Korean woman, who illegally rented out space in a one-family house to 49 Russian and Turkish students. Already deemed hazardous six years ago, the three-story one-family house was occupied for one month by the 49 students, who came to America on work and travel programs.

"This is one of the most horrendous scenes of over-occupancy I have ever encountered in my 31 years of code enforcement and I am glad to see all of the city's agencies coming together to prevent a potential tragedy," said Mark Redfield, chairman of the Mayor's Quality of Life Task Force.

Russian and Turkish students slept on bunk beds, on the floor and in the attic and basement. There were dirt and cockroaches roaming in every corner. Four to eight people lived in a single occupancy room each paying $400 per month.

Complaints from neighbors who saw dozens of people entering the house and making noise at night drew the attention of the authorities.

The Jersey City Fire Department inspection determined that the structure's electrical system was severely overworked and could eventually burn down the house. It took an hour for Public Service Electric & Gas workers to shut off the gas, electricity and water services. All the occupants were quickly evacuated.

"I didn't know that it was illegal to live in such a building," said 21-year-old Olga, who came from Moscow on a student summer work program provided by the Russian agency Aloha-Travel, which promised her safe and clean housing.

According to state officials, Jaeock Kim had already been convicted on the same offence in 2005. She paid a $14,500 fine. Now she is facing imprisonment on charges of creating an imminent hazard and jeopardizing the lives of 49 young people.