‘Empty playgrounds’ at Charlotte apartments after shootings; activists question security
The Little Rock Apartments in west Charlotte used to have security on site and kids on the playground. Now that Inlivian— the city’s public housing authority — took over they have neither, community activists say.
There were some shootings before Inlivian took over the property about six months ago, according to Bart Noonan, founder and executive director of West Boulevard Ministries. But now shootings are so frequent that the kids the organization once bought bicycles for are no longer allowed to play outside.
“Kids used to come out and play,” Noonan said. “Now you have empty playgrounds.”
The ministry actively mentors 15 children at the apartment complex and frequently provides programming for the more than 70 children who live in the area, Noonan said.
“They can’t even go out and ride their bikes because we are having shootings in the middle of the day at 11:35 a.m. with 15 rounds being exchanged,” Noonan said. “They are becoming prisoners in their own home.”
A spokesperson for Inlivian told The Charlotte Observer earlier this week that they are concerned about what is happening at Little Rock and said resident safety is “first and foremost” to the organization.
Inlivian said it works closely with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, utilizes cameras on the property, and operates a hotline with monetary rewards for information on the shootings.
“I cannot underscore the importance of the cameras and what they’re doing, particularly because they’re connected with CMPD (and) within hours, we’ve been able to make arrests,” spokesperson Cheron Porter said.
Noonan said the organization shouldn’t rely on CMPD and should instead pay for private security to monitor the property. Noonan said security cameras aren’t proactive.
“It’s not CMPD’s job to have someone over there all the time,” Noonan said. “But having paid, private security, competent security is a necessity.”
Inlivian and Noonan weren’t able to pinpoint exactly how many shootings have occurred at the property this year, but Noonan estimates there have been at least five not including random gunfire.
CMPD reports obtained by the Observer did not indicate how many shootings happened and were inconclusive because the address of each apartment varies.
“No child should be kicking around shell casings on the ground, like a rock,” Noonan said. “That’s not normal.”
It is unclear if Inlivian maintains in-person security offices at its other properties.
Noonan says he and other community activists are meeting with Inlivian representatives Thursday night. He hopes they will agree to hiring security to patrol the property.
