JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Westside apartment complex riddled with violent crime issues is the center of a new public nuisance complaint.
The owners of the Valencia Way Apartments — formerly known as Eureka Garden Apartments — on Labelle Street are expected to attend the city of Jacksonville’s Public Nuisance Abatement board hearing Thursday after numerous complaints over issues such as shootings, homicides and burglaries.
A resident who wanted to be identified as Ms. Williams told News4JAX she feels safe in her area but noted issues inside her apartment that make things uncomfortable.
“I have been in my apartment until recently. For two years with no lights in my kitchen or bathroom,” Williams said. “I was out of heat for like six months before they finally came and fixed it.”
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While Williams said she’s had multiple issues; another resident said she’s had no issues with her apartment since she’s lived here.
“I got pretty good people I hang out with, so I don’t have that many problems,” Melanese Wilson said.
Willson said she doesn’t feel unsafe at Valencia Way and also said she hasn’t dealt with any apartment issues.
“The whole complex has been redid,” Wilson said.
She moved to Valencia Way when renovations were still being done.
While News4JAX was on the property, first responders and Jacksonville sheriff’s officers were responding to what a neighbor said was a minor disturbance.
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News4JAX also reached out to the property owner. We were told staff was unavailable to speak but a message would be given to the right personnel.
In the past four months, there have been seven assaults, three weapon cases, one robbery and six reported burglaries, according to JSO’s crime mapping tool.
The hearing starts at 1 p.m.
District 9 Council Member Tyrona Clark-Murry will host a news conference about the city’s efforts to address public safety at the complex at 3 p.m.