Zelma Washington said of all the things her mother has been accused of, the only thing she’s truly guilty of is having a kind heart.

For more than 20 years, Ms. Gertrude Murray has lived in her home on 26th Avenue near Nebraska Avenue. Over that period, Ms. Murray has housed family members and homeless people. She’s asked for little or nothing in return, but Ms. Washington said law enforcement officers continue to treat her like a criminal.

Ms. Washington said the reason she feels race is behind these intrusions is because the face of the community has changed over the past two decades.

“They have a neighborhood association (VM Ybor Neighborhood Assoc.) in this area, but it consists only of whites who have only recently moved into the area. They want my mother gone because of what she does for others and because she attracts people in need. They don’t want those kind of people in the neighborhood.”

Last Friday, Ms. Washington’s daughter, Nakendra Newsome, was arrested by vice squad officers led by Kenny Morman at Ms. Murray’s home. Again, Ms. Washington said officers came in with guns drawn and started throwing things everywhere.

“They (the police) put holes in the walls inside my mother’s home looking for drugs and found nothing. Every week, it’s either the police, Code Enforcement, or some other city agency coming around here.”

Tampa Police District III Lieutenant, Brian Gant, said they did get the address of the residence from the neighborhood association.

“It is possible the residents at that house have been targeted by that group. We’ve done a lot of work in that area dealing with prostitution and utility thefts among other things.