JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Canterbury Gardens Apartments, formerly known as London Towne, has seen its fair share of crime.
"I was here when there was a gang shooting. Two guys used to live here and got into it with another gang. It was just awful," Sondra Scott said.
In 2013, there were 2,100 calls for service to the property. In January of this year, there was a double homicide.
"It got worse and worse. We had a lot of trouble," said longtime renter Judith Depontes.
John Slattery and his group ABS Properties took over in December, and have been working to clean up the neighborhood.
"Stigmas don't die overnight. It takes time. It takes building trust again with the community. That's what we're working in doing," he said.
Management has pumped in $1 million to replace lights, give greater police presence and update the landscaping. They've also partnered with local churches to give GED training and give hope to local families.
Statistics show the plan may be working. In the first six months of 2014, there have only been 99 reports of crime within a four-mile radius.
"It really is great to see that improvements and the upgrades. The whole atmosphere here," Depontes said. Sheriff John Rutherford has even taken notice of the change at Canterbury Gardens.
He and management are considering putting a P.A.L. Center on the property.
WJAX
