|
|
COMMUNITY NEWS
It was a haven for crime, drug-traffic and violence, with little hope of ever changing. That was before Property Managers Brenda and Ronnie Wilson came along. Someone forgot to tell them they couldn’t make a difference. Like David facing Goliath, this ordinary couple went head-to-head with drug-dealers and thugs, refusing to back down. “It’s not like it used to be three years ago,” commented Volunteer Citizen’s Observer Patrol (VCOP) Officer Jerry [last name withheld]. “It’s nothing like it was then.” “When we first got here,” Ronnie said, “there were needles up on the embankment. We had four or five drug trailers.” “It was a nightmare.” Brenda explained. “People were afraid to come down here.” The couple worked closely with the Fountain Police Department, Code Enforcement and the Fountain Fire Department to clean up the mobile home park. Did they feel threatened? “At first we felt a little intimidated,” Brenda admitted. “But we show people respect, and they show us respect.” The Wilsons go three or four steps beyond what typical managers do, Ronnie explained. They walk the property, even late at night, speaking to residents if there is a problem. A lot of cars coming and going at one trailer is a potential sign of drug trafficking. Residents get a warning that if the traffic doesn’t stop, the resident will have to find a new home. Most importantly, they follow-through on those warnings. It took a few evictions to clean the place up. The Wilsons work with the railroad company, to allow the Fountain PD access to check the tracks. “I saw the supervisor for this area down on the track,” Ronnie explained, “and I went and talked to him. We exchanged cell phone numbers, and we agreed to work together, if the police needed more authorization or anything like that.” Chancellor’s has high praise for the Fountain PD. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the Fountain PD,” Ronnie explained. “They send officers over and keep an eye on things, and we initiated Neighborhood Watch.” Some residents didn’t want to get involved with Neighborhood Watch for fear of retaliation. That’s why the Wilsons act as intermediaries for anonymous tips. “We stood up and told everybody, hey, we’re not bullet proof either,” Ronnie said, “but if they feel afraid, they should call us, and we’d check things out for them, even if it’s two or three o’clock in the morning. And it worked. The community became our eyes and ears. They know they have a management team that cares. That’s what on-site managers are for.” Chancellor’s resident Deborah Schwols appreciates their efforts. “I love this place,” Schwols commented. “At first I had serious doubts, but they’re right on top of everything that goes on here, and that’s what makes it work.” Branda summed things up: “If you just take initiative and stay firm, things can get better.”
|
