TAMPA, Fla. — Neighbors in Ybor Heights relaunched their neighborhood watch group during the pandemic after they noticed issues in the area.
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.
However, safety issues and crime are still plaguing Ybor Heights.
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," Martinez said.
"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."
The watch group has reported everything, from the fallen tree to loitering.
"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.
V.M. Ybor backs up to Ybor Heights. Both groups say it helps to work together if they notice a problem in the neighborhood.
“Safety and security is always the number one priority,” Bereday said.
“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,” Martinez added.
The Tampa Police Department says they had 30 active crime events in the neighborhood this month alone.
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."