On Friday, Tampa City Councilman Frank Reddick met with a representative of Southport Financial Services, owners of Central Court Apartments.
The meeting was held to discuss last Sunday’s police shooting of 16-year-old Javon “JJ” Neal, and the overall condition of the 41-year-old complex.
Peter Leach, who represents the ownership group, said he and his wife were at home watching the news when the report aired.
“We are all devastated by this happening to one of our tenants. That’s why I thought it would be important for me to meet with Councilman Reddick at the complex.
“Councilman Reddick and I talked about putting a system in place to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Right now, I’m not a happy person.”
Leach said as far as the complex is concerned, their plans are to remodel the complex the same as they did Silver Oaks (formerly Johnson/Kenneth court Apartments).
“In January 2013 we hope to be able to convince the Council to make certain credits available to us so we can start remodeling the complex.
“As far as security at the complex is concerned, we installed high-level security cameras, and we were happy with the results. That’s why you no longer saw the actual foot patrols in the area. The cameras did capture what happened on the 22nd.”
Leach said they’ve applied to have a live-in manager at the complex through HUD.
“One big issue we have are people that gather at the complex from the surrounding community. We feel if we can identify the residents, we can do a better job of protecting them and the complex.
“As far as the young man’s family is concerned, I haven’t met with them yet, but I do plan to at least speak to them.”
Councilman Reddick said one thing he feels really good about was Leach’s request to find a piece of land close to the complex.
“Leach said if I could locate at least an acre of land close to the complex, they would build a park.
“I’m talking with our real estate people to see what we have or what we can do. I think Leach and his partners are committed to changing things at the complex.”
Neal’s mother, Ms. Kethessa Fordoms, said she had not spoken with Leach at press time.
Reporter Leon B. Crews can be reached at (813) 248-0724, or e-mailed at lcrews@flsentinel.com.
