SHREVEPORT, La. – The deplorable conditions at a Shreveport apartment complex became so unbearable that a woman, who requested anonymity, left her job after just one week.
The woman expressed no surprise when featured a story last week showcasing the hardships faced by one tenant living at the Oak Meadows complex. She characterized the conditions as ‘despicable.’
While working at the complex, she witnessed reporting on the issues and attempted to offer assistance, but her efforts were constrained by a lack of financial support.
The problems at the apartments came to light when resident Latasha Thomas invited a reporter to inspect her living quarters, revealing pest infestations causing damage in her kitchen and bathroom.
The former employee disclosed that problems were escalating within the complex. Notably, a substantial hole emerged in the parking lot due to a broken water line. The property owner hired unskilled laborers in an unsuccessful attempt to repair the main waterline, leaving residents without running water.
Furthermore, gas meters remained broken and unreplaced, despite tenants continuing to pay rent. The rent payments were collected weekly from an on-site drop box, but utility issues persisted.
Many of the Oak Meadows tenants depend on government assistance programs, which cover a portion of their rent and some utilities. The woman highlighted the dissonance between these ongoing payments and the deteriorating conditions on the property.
When asked if she would be willing to disclose the property owners’ names publicly, she identified them as Kyle Kreick and Mark Saro. KTBS reached out to both men twice but received no response.
The former employee expressed hope that the complex’s residents would find alternative housing solutions
