JACKSONVILLE Fla.-- Wednesday was moving day at Shannon Ridge apartments. After most of the complex was condemned, families who were forced to leave Tuesday were told to return to collect their belongings, only to find another problem taped to their door.
This City notice was posted:
"You must go to code enforcement in downtown Jacksonville to obtain a pass in order to obtain your personal belonging."
Action News has learned if neighbors try to get their belongings without a pass, the City will fine them $500; more than their monthly rent. No city officials were on hand to help out at the complex; neighbors had to go downtown.
"I had to go back downtown to Hogan Street to get a pass just to come back on the premises," said Cierra Williams. "That's very uncalled for and some people don't have transportation and they have kids!"
Boxes strewn across her apartment which was deemed a fire hazard, Williams was forced to pack up and move out by 5:00, with nowhere to call home.
But at least she got her pass this morning. Plenty of other neighbors struggled to get to the code compliance office downtown to pick up a pass.
Yvette Perry had to wait until she could get a ride downtown to get a pass so she could get to her asthma medication; still locked in her old apartment.
"How is that fair to us?" She said. "How would you feel if someone uprooted you and said you had to leave by 5:00?"
The State Division of Hotels and Restaurants conducted its own inspections and said the complex was running without a license from them. They now need to apply for one. They also cited a range of unsafe conditions on the property from broken windows and concrete, to trash everywhere.
