BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

A few months ago, a group of young people decided to come up with an activity where they could enjoy themselves without creating a problem for others.

The activity would be called “Teco Tuesday,” and would consist of young people gathering in the street dancing as music played from sound systems in cars.

The first event occurred within Belmont Heights Estates, and immediately drew complaints from the elderly residents.

Bill Sims, who handles security for the complex, said elderly residents were afraid to come out of their apartments.

“They called to say the streets were packed with young people doing vulgar dances, young females dressed scantly, loud music coming from cars, and drug use. “They also said when one of them approached the group to tell them they were creating a disturbance, they were cursed at and told to go back into their apartment.”

Tampa Police District III Commander, Major Gerald Honeywell, was made aware of the situation, and sent officers over to survey the situation. “My officers reported seeing the young people dancing to the loud music, and they were in the street, not on the Belmont Heights Estates property.

“There weren’t any incidents, but we did tell them the music was too loud, and there were too many of them gathered in one place. We also told them about the complaints coming from the residents.”

Since then, the event has become mobile, and has occurred in different areas of the city, usually close to a public housing complex.

One of the event’s organizers, Lakeshia Roseboro, said they did this because they thought it would be better for them to dance than fight. “We’re not trying to start any problems, or disturb the elderly people. We’re just a group of young people trying to have fun. Why can’t we be allowed to do that?”

Tampa Housing CEO, Jerome Ryans, said he is totally opposed to the event. “I recently had residents of the Bethune Hi-Rise call me about the event occurring on Oregon Street, and I personally went over to see what was going on.

“What I saw was about 300 young people hanging out with young ladies dancing in the streets and being vulgar.”

Ryans said this will not be tolerated on or near public housing complexes. “After getting complaints from Bethune Hi-Rise and Belmont Heights Estates, I’ve asked police to shut it down if it happens again.

“I’m also aware they had been gathering in a park near Bethune Hi-Rise, and that park is owned by this agency. We won’t allow this to occur on our property.”

Ryans said it’s going to be hot this summer, and he wants to stop these kind of activities before they get started. “We’ve stopped it two Tuesdays in a row, and we’re not going to tolerate it.

“If they want to get together, I suggest they go through the city and do it the right way at one of the parks.