As the video illustrates, Goodson completely ignores the question of the 68 gunshots reported fired at the Housing Authority's Sabal Palm (low-income) complex since 2009, and instead suggests that the opposition is basing its argument on false "perceptions" and a lack of familiarity with low-income housing residents.
It is plain to see that Goodson is clearly searching for words here and has no intention of addressing our concerns: "I think their perceptions of public housing are based on driving by and looking by their car window and probably not having any meaningful relationship with anyone who lives in public housing,"
No, Mr. Goodson, our perceptions of Public Housing are based completely upon nothing but the documented facts which comprise the terrible track record of violent crime at each one of the HACFM's existing low-income properties.
Whiskey Creek, Tanglewood, Carillon Woods, Cedar Bend, and surrounding communities deserve a better answer. We deserve respect. Goodson and the HACFM dismiss the facts and our concerns and just continue to steamroll into our community.
Where is the oversight? How can it be that our voices are not even taken into consideration? When will this agency be made to address its failures and shortcomings? How can they be allowed to perform so miserably, yet no one stops them?
Once again:
In May, 2 children were shot at Sabal Palm apartments and less than 2 years ago a man was shot and killed there. In March a passing car with a baby inside was hit by the crossfire of a shootout. At Palmetto Court a man was shot this past February and a drive-by shooting occurred there 2 years ago. In 2009 a man was shot at Southward Village.
These are not isolated incidents, and it is a matter of public record that additional crime such as manslaughter, assault, drug offenses, robbery and beyond also occur.
It's always the same, Goodson and the HACFM avoid addressing the violent crime at their projects at all costs - even if it means talking nonsense - because acknowledging the crime would be tantamount to an admission of their being incapable of providing safe low-income housing - which is exactly what they are. The HACFM is incapable of controlling their low-income projects, and as such have no right to bully any community into accepting such risk; especially adjacent Tanglewood Elementary School, where the 700 students of which have been entitled by law to a safe and secure education in Article 9, Section 1(a) of the Florida State Constitution.
The HACFM cannot just continue rolling out low-income housing when it has been clearly established that they are incapable of controlling the violent crime at such projects and are not doing anything about it.
It's one thing to ask a community to accept Public Housing, it's quite another to ask a community to violate its own rights to security of person and personal safety in the name of such housing.
The HACFM must acknowledge and address this crime, otherwise Public Housing in Ft Myers will never be safe.
As it stands right now, the HACFM has absolutely no right to ask anyone to accept low-income housing within their community, for they have not earned that right through the establishment of a track record of safe and stable low-income housing.
It is simply outrageous to think (and act) otherwise.
Watch the video
