INDIANAPOLIS -- City workers boarded up doors and windows at the site of the old Winona Memorial Hospital Wednesday after 6News crews exposed major safety concerns at the abandoned building.

The structure near Meridian and 32nd streets has been vacant since 2004, after the hospital went bankrupt, and it was declared a health hazard in 2008.

Images: City Vows To Secure Abandoned Hospital Site

The city, which now owns the building, has tried repeatedly to secure the property, but a concerned neighbor contacted 6News this week to report that the building's doors were left unlocked.

6News' Rick Hightower on Tuesday visited the site and found signs warning of asbestos, but none against trespassing, while the doors were easily opened.

Inside, hospital equipment and furniture still line the hallways, while many rooms still have their beds. 6News even found new medical equipment still in the packaging.

There are also signs supporting claims by neighbors that homeless individuals have been living in the vacant building, with beer cans, liquor bottles and garbage littering the floors.

When 6News brought the security concerns to the attention if the city, officials said they knew the site had its issues, but had no idea people could just walk inside.

"That's not a good thing at all. Certainly it should be secured and boarded from keeping anyone from going into it right now," said Maury Plambeck with the Department of Metropolitan Development.

City crews worked at the site Wednesday morning, boarding up windows and the door that had been left wide open.

Police said they will also be watching the property closely.

"I've assigned an officer to check the building regularly to ensure that it isn't open to someone who is just wandering in," said Capt. Robert Holt.

Some neighbors said they think the city has done the best it can at the troubled site.

"They have tried (to keep it boarded up), but where there's a will, there's a way, so people will get in no matter what, especially homeless people," said Enoc Lopez, who works near the old hospital.

Plambeck said the city will eventually clean up the site and request a proposal to see if there's any interest in the property.