NewsLocal News

Actions

Tampa neighborhood scared after home busted for meth, code violations

1300 Block of E. Park Circle cited for vicious dog
Posted at 6:33 PM, Dec 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-21 00:44:47-05

TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa neighborhood says they are living in fear after a rental was busted for drugs.

The people who live along the 1300 Block of E. Park Circle tell ABC Action News there's been a record of problems at one address since the most recent tenant moved in.

They were too afraid to show their faces or reveal their names because of what is happening next door.

"There's a lot of people I know who are scared," one resident tells ABC Action News.

One tenant, Kelby McCrillis, was arrested by Tampa Police back in May for dealing meth out of the house. He has a long history of criminal activity, including grand theft auto and drug trafficking, as well as charges related to crystal meth.

"To know that there's a house that's dealing meth in your neighborhood, that's crazy," another neighbor tells ABC Action News. "It's scary."

Tampa Police say an investigation into the alleged drug activity at that home is still "active and ongoing."

For the neighbors, the drug arrest is not the only concern. One neighbor talked about what he's seen several times over the last year at the home.

"Officers, animal control, code enforcement officers," he said.

ABC Action News also uncovered records of several code enforcement violations, including a missing rental certificate. The purpose of this Rental Certificate Program is to implement a process that ensures Residential Rental Units within the City's jurisdiction comply with minimum housing standards as set forth in the applicable City of Tampa Codes.
 
ABC Action News also went to Hillsborough County Animal control and learned In August, Pet Resources cited a resident at that address for an incident involving an at-large, vicious dog. Pet Resources also issued the owner a “notification of dangerous propensity’’ related to the dog. The owner is disputing the case in court; the next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10.
 
"They're terrorizing our outdoor cats," one resident said about the dogs associated with that property.

ABC Action News went to McCrillis' home for a response. Reporters also contacted the property owner, McCrillis' landlord, several times working to get answers on what's next for this property, including whether they plan to evict the current tenants and if they plan to fix the last outstanding code violation, which is a lack of rental certificate. We have not heard back yet, but will continue to press for answers.

In the meantime residents have a request for the landlord.

"Get a better quality people that aren't going to put our lives at risk," one neighbor said.