MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
Brianna Washington said she lived at Gospel Gardens Apartments in Whitehaven for three years. She called living there in 2023 a nightmare, and said crime is getting out of control in the area.
"The drug epidemic here is horrific and, of course, when you have drugs, you have crime,” said Washington.
According to the Memphis Data Hub, more than 280 crimes have been committed within a mile radius of Gospel Gardens between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 23, 2023. Those crimes include several murders, drug violations and domestic violence incidents.
"Murders. Overdosing. Just everything. It has been horrific — as in we cannot come out the house barely because we're being harassed,” said Washington.
Now, Washington is seeking out solutions to the crime in her neighborhood. She called on several grassroots organizations including Respect the Haven CDC and the 901 B.L.O.C. Squad for help.
On Thursday, Dec. 21, they met with residents and hosted a day of prayer.
"They felt like they weren't being heard. Many calls and they felt like we were their last hope," said Respect the Haven CDC founder Jason Sharif.
There are several Memphis Police cameras at Gospel Gardens, but Washington still feels like more needs to be done. She said she believes that a lack of accountability is part of the problem.
"Don't let someone you know walk out the house with an AK-47. 'Where are you going?' Speak up. Tell them to stop and no one wants to speak up. That's really what needs to happen because of course the police can't do everything,” said Washington.
Gospel Gardens is an affordable housing community managed by Millenia Companies, which recently had its relationship with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development suspended over alleged financial mismanagement.
ABC24 reached out to Millenia asking if any Gospel Gardens residents voiced complaints directly to them, if there is a current security plan in place and if upping the security has been discussed. Millenia has not responded.