BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Tampa Housing Authority CEO, Jerome Ryans, said he’s not very computer savvy, and has never been interested in Twitter, You Tube, Facebook, and the other sites that seem to draw so much attention.

However, a few weeks ago, acting on the suggestion of a staff member, Ryans pulled up a site and said there were videos of fights occurring in public housing areas.

Ryans said a lot of the fights are by females.

“It’s time these websites are monitored and we need to let our residents know if they are involved in this activity, there will be serious consequences. I saw one where a young woman was swinging a golf club as others cheered on. We don’t need this kind of image on any of our properties. This stuff is degrading and very upsetting.”

Ryans said he’s monitoring the incidents and dealing with the people involved. He said “One Strike” may come into play.

Ryans said no one has been evicted because of the You Tube fights, but over the next few weeks, if the activity continues, action will be taken.

“I’ve told my managers to serve notice on the players that there will be action taken. We have to put our foot down and start threatening these people by removing their livelihood.

“Also, parents need to start being parents and not friends with their children. We have great kids living in public housing and they don’t deserve this kind of foolishness disrupting their lives.”

T.H.A. also has been running “An Open Letter To All Tampa Housing Authority Residents,” with the hope of getting the incidents to stop.