NOT TO BE TRUSTED
A sense of mistrust and suspicion permeates the retirement community where I reside. This hyper-vigilance not only concerns the influx of 'homesteading visitors and relatives' who are forbidden by the terms of the common denominator we all share, our lease, to be here and how management willfully looks the other way or otherwise selectively, capriciously, and arbitrarily fails to uniformly enforce the rules and regulations therein, but also our concerns for and about one another.
Here at Falcon Wood Village 55+ Manufactured Home Park in North Eugene we recently experienced the May 7th shock and disbelief of having two of our neighbors brutally murdered and dismembered by allegedly their grandson. A shroud of secrecy has been put over the deaths both by Eugene Police and park management. In fact, management chased out all media trying to cover the gruesome killings by saying they were trespassing and forbade reporters to speak with residents, in effect depriving citizens of their right to free speech. This isn't the first time it has tried to cover-up disturbing things occurring here (aka elder abuse) and preventing homeowners from talking to the press.
In my opinion, which is shared by other residents, these murders could have been prevented, these folks did not have to be slaughtered by someone who had been homeless that they were letting live in their home. The alleged killer had been here way beyond the period of time allowed for in the lease, rules, and regulations the park contractually enters into with those of us who rent lots. No one under age 40 is allowed to visit with a tenant for more than 14 days in one-year yet management fails to enforce this rule, this written expectation tenants have as to who can be living in a so-called retirement park they pay the highest rent in Lane County for.
The victim's grandson, age 26, had been living here well in excess of what is allowed under both lot leases and home rental agreements. He had been reported to management by tenants (including me) as having exceeded his 14-day limit, being suspicious looking, and harassing other tenants. Nothing was done. Management looked the other way just as it does with the myriad of others who are under 40 now residing here. It is widely believed the corporation that owns this park wants to turn it into a more lucrative profit-generating operation: a family park instead of age-restricted.
As for Eugene PD, mum seems to be the word although it has been 'leaked' that the victims were either fully or partially decapitated and wrapped up in plastic. Also, the alleged murderer had been staying in the home for two days with the corpses. One thing is certain: the alleged killer was subsequently charged with two counts of mutilation of a corpse in addition to murder.
I spoke with a next-door neighbor of the victims. She claims to have gone to the home two days before the cops were called and saw blood on the screen door. The next day it was gone and she thought the grandson was staying there care-taking for his grandparents, believing grand-kids should be allowed to live in the park or stay as long as they want, so nothing sinister had happened. Now, as she should, she questions her own judgment and misplaced belief that rules are made to be broken. Like others here she is now highly guarded when it comes to new faces and strangers about. Who wants to live in fear? Presently some are staying in their homes with loaded guns close by, another tragedy waiting to happen.
And one thing is certain for residents: here at Falcon Wood Village you cannot rely upon management to provide any sort of surveillance or security as to who should be here and who should not, and also to enforce occupancy rules. Collecting rent is all they are interested in, not the safety and well-being of elderly park tenants, leaving us asking "Who Can We Trust"? read more
