Sheriff Jerry Demings was in the middle of explaining the challenges with addressing crime in an Orlando-area apartment complex when something rang out that sounded like gunshots.
"I don't know if that's gunfire or what that we hear in the background, but that's part of the challenges we have," Demings said.
Demings and Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell were in the midst of a news conference to talk about Tymberskan Apartments Monday, a complex off Texas Avenue in the Holden neighborhood.
Tymberskan may be well-known to those who follow crime in Orlando: since the start of the year, there have been two homicides there. Sheriff Demings said his agency averages about six calls to the complex a day -- an average of 2,000 calls for service year, over the last four years.
Demings said those aren't the only problems. There is no trash collection at Tymberskan. Bags and bags are piling up on street curbs. In the next few weeks, water and power will be cut off to many of the people living there.
None of us should have to live like that in 2014, and that's the concern that we have," Demings said. "These are social issues that we have that end up being a crime problem."
On June 3 the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will discuss the situation at Tymberskan Apartments. Demings is hoping the community will come out to discuss what to do.