People in one Lakeland community say they’re afraid to leave their homes, and some are even threatening to give back their homes to Habitat for Humanity.

The housing development was supposed to revitalize this area in North West Lakeland.

“This is what they call a Hope 6 project," Lakeland Habitat for Humanity CEO Claire Twomey said. "This was a big thing years ago, maybe 20 years ago, and part of the Hope 6 was to go in and tear down all of the rental units that were there, that were terrible. It was high crime, drugs, it was awful."

And although the houses on the streets have changed, some people who live in the family homes say the crime hasn’t. Twomey said some of the homeowners who got their houses through their program are ready to pack their bags.

“It is really bad when someone says, 'I’m going to give you back the house because I’m afraid to live here,' ” she said.

Twomey said she would normally tell the homeowners to contact the housing authority or the police if they don’t feel safe, but she got so many calls she had to do something about it. So instead, she’s holding a community meeting Thursday evening.

We tried talking to several people in that community and no one wanted to go on camera. Some denied there was a problem altogether. Either way officials at the meeting hope people will speak up if there is a problem so they can fix it.

Lakeland police officers say they’re planning to do their part.

"I want to tell them that we are their police department and we’re going to do everything we can to help them but along with that we need help from them to tell us what it is that’s keeping them from feeling unsafe,” Capt. Ruben Garcia said.

This neighborhood is in Commissioner Phillip Walker’s district. He said he welcomes the feedback but he doesn’t think the problem is as big as residents are making it out to be.

“If it is why I can’t see it?" he said. "I’m living there. I don’t live exactly there like they are, true enough. I agree with that but I’m through there all the time."

Lakeland police has already promised a quick solution of adding more patrols to the area. More suggestions are expected to be made in the meeting.