Any unoccupied Dallas structure, regardless of its condition, may soon be demolished if City Hall determines that it isn't adequately secured and that vagrants or children could enter it, the Dallas City Council voted Wednesday.

The expanded "urban nuisance" ordinance will allow the city to more easily seize private property city officials deem unsafe, council members said. Previously, the city could seize only derelict structures.

"This is going to give us a tool we didn't have before," City Attorney Tom Perkins said.

The ordinance takes effect Monday.

Vacant properties that attract squatters blight neighborhoods and dissuade investment, Mayor Tom Leppert said.

The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department will receive new self-contained breathing apparatuses, as the City Council authorized a $3.12 million purchase agreement with Oklahoma-based Wayest Safety Inc. Most of the money will come from equipment acquisition obligation notes.

Dallas' current breathing equipment functions, but some units are up to 20 years old, have a life expectancy of 10 years and don't necessarily meet modern fire standards, officials said.

Council members delayed consideration, until Oct. 1, of a proposal to reduce the maximum allowable height of Dallas weeds and grass from 12 inches to 8 inches.

Several officials expressed concerns that Dallas didn't have the requisite staffing and resources to enforce the law.

"We do not have the capacity in the city right now," council member Dave Neumann said.