In North Texas, neighbors in the Gateway Parks subdivision in Forney say rising crime is threatening their safety—and they blame a surge in investor-owned rental homes.
“There are families who say that they can’t even go outside and take their kids to play or even leave their garages open because there is a concern that something’s going to happen to them,” said resident Nofel Molai.
One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said he’s seen it firsthand.
“Just Sunday night, my neighbor’s car was stolen. A drug exchange was performed while talking to that neighbor and looking at my cameras to see if we could find anything that would benefit him. Between that, multiple gunshots, cars racing up and down the street,” he said.
Both residents point to the latest phase of their neighborhood, developed by Ashton Woods, where they say many homes are now owned by investors and rented out.
Earlier this week, the Forney City Council denied Ashton Woods’ request to build more homes after city staff reported that rentals account for about one in four homes across the subdivision. In the specific phase in question, neighbors told council members rentals make up more than 80% of the homes on some streets.
The council cited public health, safety and welfare in its denial, referencing crime statistics, public nuisances and strain on city resources.
In an interview with NBC 5, Forney Police Chief Carrie White confirmed crime is higher in the area.
“Did your data show that the crime in that part was higher than in other parts of Gateway Parks?” NBC 5 asked.
“Yes, ma’am, it did. It showed an inflation in that part. But again, part of that is us being proactive,” said White.
So far this year, Gateway Parks has had more than 600 calls for service. White said many reports of suspicious activity from residents, while others were linked to traffic stops prompted by increased patrols.
She said the issue isn’t isolated to Gateway Parks alone, but the volume of calls is higher than in some other neighborhoods.
“What’s happening is big city problems, right? Because it’s getting bigger. That includes our responsibility to grow as a department and a city, too, along with the infrastructure and those around us,” White said.
On Wednesday night, an NBC 5 crew captured the most recent incident—police searching for a suspect who fled a traffic stop that ended in three arrests.
Developer Ashton Woods responded to concerns with a statement:
“We have been made aware of inaccurate public statements regarding our involvement in Gateway Parks and are taking steps to work directly with the city and our homeowners to address these statements.
We have complied with state and local laws and community guidelines throughout our involvement in Gateway Parks, and we operate under the principles of equal housing opportunity and fair housing law.
We have reached out to Forney PD to explore potential ways Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes can collaborate with the Forney Police Department to enhance safety throughout the community.”
A company spokesperson did not indicate whether Ashton Woods plans to appeal the city’s decision or submit a new application.
Great Job Allie Spillyards & the Team @ NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth for sharing this story.
