JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Westside Jacksonville apartment complex that drew attention last year after trash piled up for months is once again facing complaints.
RELATED: Residents demand urgent action as trash keeps piling up at Westside apartment complex
Residents at Westcreek II Apartments on California Avenue said Saturday that the trash problems never fully stopped after city crews briefly intervened in 2024. Now, they say, squatters have moved into vacant units and the complex has become less safe.
“It’s even worse,” Susan Adams said. “Now there’s no response. You can’t get anybody in the office, and there’s a ton of squatters and people kicking indoors at night and guns being fired.”
Adams and other residents say the situation briefly improved after a News4JAX report in October 2024 prompted District Councilman Rahman Johnson to visit and city crews to clean up debris, including a dead raccoon that had been left near a dumpster. But over the last few months, residents say conditions have deteriorated.
“With the squatters, it’s kind of unbearable a little bit, with the noise and the arguing,” Ron said, a resident. Adams added that some people force entry to vacant units to see whether anyone is inside. “What they’ll do is they’ll knock on the door as hard as they can to see if somebody’s inside,” she said.
Adams pointed out vacant units residents said squatters are using and saw a resident repairing a door he said had been kicked in.
News4JAX called the property manager seeking comment and is awaiting a response.
Residents said they have contacted management, code enforcement and city leaders, but they feel stuck.
“If it wasn’t for that, I’d be happy here. I really would, but it’s just the squatter thing,” Ron said.
News4JAX is continuing to press the property owner for answers and has asked Councilman Rahman Johnson what steps he plans to take next.
RELATED: Rising corporate ownership of Jacksonville apartments is contributing to higher costs. Here’s who owns where you live | ‘Slumlord problem’: Jacksonville’s most vulnerable forced to choose between affordable rent and safe living conditions | Troubled Jacksonville apartments under scrutiny from I-TEAM, city now under new management, tenants say
Property records show the property is owned by a company tied to Jarek Tadla.
The News4JAX I-TEAM has reported in depth on Tadla, who is one of the largest multifamily rental property owners in Jacksonville. Some residents have called him a “slumlord.” The News4JAX I-TEAM learned that seven of Tadla’s properties face foreclosure lawsuits, including Westcreek II
The property manager of a nearby apartment complex located on 103rd Street, also named Westcreek Apartments, said Westcreek II has no current affiliation with Westcreek Apartments. A property manager there said the new owners failed to change the sign after the property was sold in 2021.