COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Tuesday, 36-year-old Joshua Hunt was fatally shot in the 1000 block of Parsons Avenue near East Whittier Street. In March, 61-year-old Dwayne Dowdell died after police said he was assaulted by another man at the same intersection.
Allen Carrel and Kenneth Williams love their neighborhood on the south side and they have seen a lot of changes.
“It's a different kind of vibe here, a scary vibe,” Carrel said.
“Years ago, we improved the neighborhood. Our home values are going up high, which we appreciate. We are regressing backwards. We have more crime now than we did 20 years ago. It's just disturbing,” Williams said.
Carrel said he walked along Parsons Avenue an hour before Tuesday’s fatal shooting.
“If I can't walk in my own neighborhood and do something I love, why would I put myself in that predicament?” Carrel said.
Columbus police heavily patrolled the south Columbus neighborhood Thursday morning. Detectives were reviewing surveillance video in connection with Tuesday’s shooting and hope to find answers on a possible suspect and what led to the shooting.
“In this neighborhood, there are so many services. You can get free food, clothes, you can get everything. We give all these handouts, but there's nothing in return. There's no responsibility,” Williams said.
“I think generally people, rightfully like ourselves, and the city are compassionate. They want to help people and see people succeed. With that comes a challenging population and group of people. That doesn't mean we have to let off on the public safety side,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
Klein said his office has metwith local businesses, COTA and neighborhood groups since March to work on safety plans.
“We are very well aware and concerned. When you look at the stats and especially the significant level of violence that has happened there and the disturbances there, feeling for the neighboring businesses and the families that live along that area,” Klein said.
Carrel and Williams say they hope those safety plans work.
“We cannot let people do what they want. That's what we are doing right now. People are just doing what they want, they take things, they get a slap on the wrist then we have to deal with it. I'm frustrated with that,” Williams said.