MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Residents who live in a mobile home park in the Whitehaven community are demanding change by leaving a petition for their property manager.
Those tenants in Wheel Estate signed a petition that represent more than 200 families.
Within that petition, residents left a list of demands which include wanting streets lights, gates, among other items that are believed to have been ignored.
Dozens of Wheel Estate residents held signs and chanted together in front of the office steps, hoping to send a clear message to management.
Melissa Hernandez, who is one of the tenants, said they came together because there is strength in numbers.
"'Vecinos Unidos de Wheel Estate' means 'Neighbors United Wheel Estate,' Hernandez said. "We've been using that so it can gain us power, to make us stronger, so we can feel our strength...and we can get this place fixed."
The families of Wheel Estate said their concerns have been ignored since management changed a year ago.
Hernandez said some of the other demands include water leaks, potholes and streetlights that are not on when it's dark outside.
"I cannot see anything. What if there's cars coming towards us or some kids riding their bikes? We want to make it safe for the kids," Hernandez said.
Yesica Trejo said she's been living at Wheel Estate for more than 13 years. According to Trejo, her biggest issue is with the current property manager. She claimed that property manager has not taken their complaints and living condition concerns seriously.
"She has been rude to us, and we just don't feel safe. We don't feel connected. How are we supposed to give our demands to a management when we don't feel safe, or heard, or protected?" Trejo said.
ABC24 tried to get a comment from one of the employees, who refused to answer the door for residents when they attempted to hand deliver their petition. That employee did not comment.
However, an hour after residents left the front steps of the office, she took the petition left for the property manager from the door.
Trejo believes that employee who would not answer the door and was inside of the office building did not take their efforts seriously.
The property's owner, Roots Management Group, asked ABC24 before airing the story for an opportunity to respond to residents list of demands.
In the letter, they tell ABC24 they are considering making sure the community manager is available on-site at dedicated times. The letter also said their company is working to install a new water main to prevent future issues.
They also addressed the potholes and streetlights, stating those streetlights are fully operational and the potholes caused by the leaks have been temporarily repaired, but a more permanent paving is scheduled.
Residents in Wheel Estate confirm some streetlights are not working and most of the potholes are not fixed.
The City of Memphis said as of Monday, the property of Wheel Estate was cited for a water leak. They said an inspector will return to the property to follow up on improvements on Oct. 25.
Read the letter from Roots Management Group below: