The Wedgewood Community Center in Escambia County has remained closed since a mass shooting there on July 28.
Two people were killed and five others were injured near a pavilion outside the center.
The Wedgewood Neighborhood Association managed the center but the county has now taken control because of security concerns.
No exact date has been set, but the county hopes it will open soon.
Some of the people in the neighborhood told WEAR News they didn’t even know it was closed.
Neighbors like Samantha Edwards say there was always something going on at the Wedgewood Community Center.
“It means a lot to this community because I’ve seen the parking lot slammed full,” Edwards said.
Now the parking lot is empty.
“After the shooting, we came in, closed it down, and locked it up,” Escambia County Administrator, Wes Moreno said. “We took a step back to reassess some of the protocols that we have in place and also give the investigation time to take place.”
WEAR News spoke with the now-former manager of the community center Debra Lawerence.
She did not want to comment on camera and said she was disappointed with the county’s decision to close.
Moreno says the county hopes to invest in security improvements.
“We want to take a look at the lots like lighting and cameras,” Moreno said. “We’re going to work with FPL to maybe add some street lighting around that area. We’re also looking at other security amenities for the building.”
He says the county will also require security to be present at large events.
“You have a playground that is open to the public. It’s not going to be manned 24/7,” Moreno said. “If someone shows up to play basketball on the outside court or use the workout equipment out there, then there is a personal responsibility that comes into play. I would say with what you’ve heard, if you see something that doesn’t look right or something that doesn’t smell right by all means, pick up the phone and call the sheriff.”
No date has been set for when the community center will reopen but residents hope it’s soon.
“I would like to see this reopened,” Edwards said. “I would like to see better security measures to prevent what happened from possibly happening again.”
“I’ve seen them have events in the park so with them being closed, they can’t have the events they want to have like birthday parties, family reunions, and things of that nature,” she added. “The center has to be open for all of that to take place and I would just like to see it reopened.”
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Source: weartv
