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ROCKY TOP (WATE) – If you have ever lived in an area without street lights or some type of illumination, you know how dangerous it can be at night.
At an apartment complex in Rocky Top, formerly known as Lake City, street lights have been out since December.
Built more than 30 years ago, Creekwood Apartments are privately managed by a company out Knoxville. The government subsidized multi-family apartments are for low income, elderly and disabled.
In some rural areas of East Tennessee, street lights are a luxury, but when the government subsidies apartments or single family homes, there are rules managers must follow. One rule is, the apartments are supposed to be safe, which means they’re supposed to have outdoor lights that work.
When we visited the complex ten days ago, everyone had one simple request.
We talked with 20 people from Creekwood Apartment in Rocky Top. They’re fed up with their lights being on the blink.“What do I want,” said Grace Ellis, “Well we all want the lights.”
Roughly 40 percent of the streetlights were fixed in early January, but with no porch lights in about half of the 42 apartments, Ellis said it is tricky finding the key hole to get into the front door.
Guided only by their flashlight, Kim and Ricky Graham walk slowly down the sidewalk in front of their apartment. Ricky Graham, told WATE 6 On Your Side that despite complaints to the complex’s manager, the street lights here haven’t worked in weeks.
“It’s dangerous,” said Ricky Graham. “We’ve called numerous times.”
Kim Graham said in the last three weeks they’ve received no answer from management.
“We want some lights around here. When you open your door at night, you can’t even see who is at your door,” said Jan Mehan.
To illuminate the front porches, some families have even turned their bedroom lamps into outdoor lights.
Roy Harmon is a little more basic in his approach. “I just ran a cord out from in the house, tied it up with a string and made me a light,” said Harmon.
WATE 6 On Your Side noticed, the manager is scheduled to show up twice a week for four hours each day.
“She’s not here. She doesn’t show up,” said Mahen.
After WATE 6 On Your Side contacted the manager an electrical crew from Knoxville started working on the problem. The crew found a number of underground wires that were old and frayed.
Within a few hours, the lights were back on, pleasing the residents of Creekwood Apartments.
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