Residents describe unsafe conditions at Reid Manor; council points to Housing Commission oversight

At the Sept. 10 Jackson City Council meeting, a resident described pervasive safety and sanitation problems at Reid Manor, prompting council members to urge oversight and improvements by the Jackson Housing Commission.

"There are needles everywhere. There is poop, urine, blood, and snot on walls and carpet," said Christie Davis during the public-comment period, listing broken elevators, missing fire extinguishers and removed cameras. Davis said residents face day‑and‑night disturbances and that security is only present a few hours each day.

Councilmember Connor Wood responded during council comments that the Jackson Housing Commission has control over Reed Manor, Sheahan Blackstone and Shelley Terrace in his ward and said those boards must be supported to secure resources. "Those board meetings ... are the third Wednesday of each month," Wood said, urging residents to attend and monitor progress.

City officials noted the issues raised are not new and asked the Housing Commission to seek resources for increased security, lighting and renovation. Mayor Mahoney (presiding) said the concerns are long‑standing and that community support will be necessary to press for improvements.

The council did not take a formal vote or direct staff to a specific contractual remedy on the floor during the meeting; several members encouraged residents to participate in upcoming Housing Commission meetings and to provide documentation of conditions to the appropriate agencies. The Housing Commission meets monthly and holds responsibility for management oversight of the properties cited by speakers.

Next steps noted at the meeting: residents were told to attend the Housing Commission meeting to press for repairs and that council staff would help connect constituents with the commission and housing authority contacts.