Ybor Heights sees success in neighborhood watch group
Neighbors say it’s an extra set of eyes to keep their community safe. Neighbors in Ybor Heights, Florida, have seen a significant increase in neighborhood safety thanks to a neighborhood watch group. The group reported that a tree fell on top of a swing set and city crews removed it due to a report. Mimi Martinez, the president of Ybor Height Association and watch group, said it had been at least two years since children were seen at Borrell Park, which has since been fenced off by the city. The issue is related to a damaged part on a fenced-off play unit that has been waiting for repair for over a year. Thad Bereday, who runs another watch group in V.M. Ybor, said the homeless population in the area has been relocated due to the lack of a place to go while they are evicted.
Published : 10 months ago by Jennifer Titus in
Neighbors say it’s an extra set of eyes to keep their community safe.
Many people call the neighborhoods that surround the historic business district of Ybor home. Homeowners are driven here because the houses are eclectic and close to businesses and the surrounding area.
The group had reported that a tree fell on top of a swing set days ago. The swings were part of Borrell Park. City crews removed the tree because of the report.
Mimi Martinez, the president of Ybor Heights Association and watch group said it's been at least two years since kids have been seen at the park. The local playground has since been fenced off by the city.
"It's a shame because you have these beautiful, covered trees and we can't really use it because it wasn't safe for a long time," said Martinez.
"The fenced-off play unit at Borrell park has a damaged part, and it has been discontinued," said Laurence Hollyfield, the Communications Coordinator at the city of Tampa Parks and Recreation. "The vendor said it found a solution, but we're still waiting for the part. This process has been ongoing for more than a year. As soon as the part comes in, we will schedule it for repair. Unfortunately, there is no timetable."
"I mean, you can see the needles and you can see the drug bags all over the street and the cans of beer. The city has been cleaning," Martinez said.
Those with no place to go have been congregating in Borrell Park while they've been moved out of other parts of the neighborhood.
"It really is a challenge because with the blight of homelessness in our community, there's often no place for our homeless neighbors to go," said Thad Bereday, who runs another watch group in V.M. Ybor.
“The people who live here, they want to live here, and they want it to be safe and they want it to grow, to improve for the people who live here. The people who live here, they want the current people who have been here to stay here,” added Martinez.
They also said "Community members can always request a Front Porch Roll Call to be held in their area, on their block, or even at their home to meet the officers who patrol their neighborhoods and learn how they can help with crime reduction and quality of life concerns in their immediate area."