Serene setting is the scene of relentless violence
From a distance and even close proximity, Donnelly Homes showcases all appearances for good living.
Lawns reflect maintenance, squares of grass trimmed perfectly neat and dumpsters empty. Flower gardens blossom in front of many residences. On Monday, a team of Trenton Housing Authority workers platooned for a collection of discarded trash before one person offered a reality assessment.
“It’s crazy up in here,” he said. Crazy as in severely unsettling, especially Friday through Sunday as areas near or inside the Donnelly Homes projects witnessed eight shootings including the death of Daquan Patterson, shot on Roselle Ave. Sunday afternoon and pronounced dead shortly after transportation to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Andrew Nwadike, asset manager for the Trenton Housing Authority residence, found out about the shooting as he walked the property near Southard St.
“Tenants just stopped me and told me about the shootings. They happened over there,” Nwadike said, as he pointed toward Roselle Ave., “People stopped me over there this morning and they were very upset. I told them that I agree with them. We are trying to stop what is going on here. We have police that come regularly during the afternoon and our own security force. But this (violence) is still going on.”
Nwadike acknowledged a constant complaint that legal residents harbor gang members and violence perpetrators. “Of course, it’s likely that this happens but without knowing .... I mean, they’re not on the lease as tenants but it’s unfortunate that some of the residents we try to protect are the same people allowing these people to live and hide out in their apartments,” he said.
Violence and Donnelly Homes or nearby streets hold historical references, especially in June 2009 when rival gang members shot into a block party celebration near Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard and Beakes St. a block away from Roselle Ave.
The random assault killed Tamrah Leonard, 13, as she walked with her aunt and 3-year-old cousin on a beautiful sun-drenched day. A mural of the teen on the side of a corner market serves as a persistent reminded of violence that never subsides in these neighborhoods near Donnelly Homes.
“I mind my own business but it’s dangerous over here. You already know that though,” a woman named Sassi said. “Not surprised about the shootings that happened over the weekend. Happens all the time. I try to get home from work and get inside. It ain’t bad over here. Look around. The grass gets cut and trash picked up. Not really bad, it’s just the people.”
“Dangerous? (Shoot), it’s dangerous on Walnut Ave. I think politicians intentionally criminalize these areas. You feel me. They know what to do and know how to go about doing it but they do stuff only when they want to do it. If this were a white community, they would put their foot down right away.”
The shooting aftermath cultivated many emotions as residents nearby endured more shootings and another murder.
“It’s very upsetting because this makes it unsafe for us to come out of our own homes. We live here, too,” Hope, a Donnelly Homes tenant, said.
“We used to have police getting out of their cars and doing walkarounds and all of that. They don’t do that no more. Of course, we feel neglected. I don’t know if it’s intentional or police just don’t have the help. But they need to do something because this has been going on for the whole summer.”
“They’ve been shooting this place up in here. There’s older people living here. There’s children living here. People should not be scared to come out of their house.”