NATCHEZ &045;&045; Residents living nearby Carpenter School No. 1 Apartments have said conditions in and around the complex have improved since their complaints came to a head last fall.

Nearby residents said they were concerned about a safety and security at the 38-unit complex for the elderly and/or disabled.

They also expressed concerns about traffic on nearby streets and younger people they said lived at the complex and committed crimes in the area.

They attended meetings of the Natchez aldermen and Adams County supervisors to ask for their help, and supervisors sent a resolution asking the city to help resolve the problems.

Earlier this year, city officials met with building co-owner Kenneth Windham to discuss the complaints.

Since then, doors to the complex have been upgraded so that residents need a key to enter, said Jim Sanders, who lives across B Street from the complex.

&uot;That helps make sure only residents get in,&uot; Sanders said. &uot;People can’t just walk in there off the street any more.&uot;

In addition, Sanders said he has noticed that abandoned cars next to the complex have been moved, that the grounds are better maintained and a brand-new sign has even been erected in front of the complex.

&uot;That shows (the building’s owners) are really trying,&uot; Sanders said.

Ragan Latham, who also lives on B Street, seconded that.

&uot;It looks like the groundskeeper is putting forth an effort,&uot; Latham said. &uot;There have been improvements.&uot;

Still, she would like to see other problems addressed, such as heavy traffic in the area.

Sanders did note that a stop sign has been placed at the North Commerce Street extension entrance to the complex and a speed bump has been placed on B Street, two things aldermen voted in February to do.

Residents interviewed in October at the 38-unit complex for elderly and/or disabled people showed black mold and ceiling water damage in their apartments.

While those residents couldn’t be reached for comment earlier this week, City Inspector Paul Dawes has said he inspected the building earlier this year and found no code violations.

He said mold damage has been repaired, and Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, whose Ward 1 includes the complex, has said water-damaged parts of the building have been repainted.

In addition, Police Chief Mike Mullins said this week that the building’s owners are working to outfit a space in the complex where officers patrolling the area can fill out their reports.

&uot;We already have officers do walk-throughs of the building at night, but this will increase our presence (in the area) even more,&uot; Mullins said.