News 8
Residents storm office to protest at lack of AC 
10:13 PM CDT on Saturday, June 27, 2009
>PLEASANT GROVE - More than 100 people are heated up and they're not going to take it anymore.
Fed up with no AC in their apartments, on Saturday they took matters into their own hands.
The city ordered the Barclay Apartments three days ago to make repairs and install temporary window AC units in several apartments.
But some families told us their apartments never got checked because the leasing office continues to ignore their complaints.
Overheated and upset, families at the Barclay Apartments in Pleasant Grove marched to their leasing office to voice their frustrations.
More than 100 people stormed into the office demanding action. They say they are tired of living without air conditioning for more than two weeks.
At one point, tempers flared when security told some protesters and the media to leave the property.
Minutes after, Danisha Hill went to her apartment with her kids, to pack a bag for a stay at her sister's house.
"This is my home and this is where I pay rent and I can't stay home. It's hot," she said.
With only one fan to cool her down, she says the heat inside her home is unbearable.
"[It's] like you are just sitting right in front of the oven," she said.
Back at the leasing office, Dallas police officers and code compliance showed up at the complex with promises of relief.
"If your temperature is 85 degrees or higher today, we are going to put a window unit in there, until we can get the AC fixed," said Neely Blackmon from Dallas code compliance.
As people signed up for an inspection, code officers started checking several apartments.
According to the city, at least 17 units are in violation, but more could be added to the list.
The property's management team told us that workers are on site installing temporary AC units.
"We are working with everybody, accommodating everybody. We are doing everything in our power so they can get service," said Maribel Villareal from the apartment complex.
E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com.
