Night after night, we live in fear within our own homes, scared for another bullet to shatter our windows. It is a fear ingrained in the heart of our community, for over two years. This fear stems from the public parking lot located right across our apartment complex, a noted hotspot for illegal activities causing high local crime rates. Since it became operational, this space has been the site of at least seven gun-related incidents, some of which have resulted in stray bullets damaging our homes. The parking lot was established as a gang related parking lot about six months ago by the police and this has elevated the feeling of insecurity among us to an intolerable level. It's high time to reconsider the location's zoning. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that areas with high crime rates can significantly benefit from invested urban planning solutions (Cortright, 2016). It is not a matter of comfort anymore, but one of survival. By closing down this public parking lot, we can restore the sense of safety within our community, promoting peaceful sleep and alleviating our constant fear. We implore our City Council to heed this request and impose immediate actions towards the closure of this dangerous amenity. Join us by signing this petition and help bring back the tranquil atmosphere our neighborhood deserves.

The parking lot is located on Market Street in between 18th and 19th.  It’s not a monitored parking lot so people can come and go as they please which often attracts gang members into this parking lot.   The parking lot is the Parkwell Parking lot at 18th & Market.