Residents at Westwood Mobile Home Estates in San Antonio are raising concerns about a plan to remove fencing around the community. Citing safety issues and financial stress, tenants have launched a petition and are demanding that management reconsider. The mobile home park, located in the 7000 block of Military Drive West, houses over 60 lots and many low-income and elderly tenants who say they would be put at risk if the fences come down. The proposal has sparked frustration and fear, with residents calling for better communication and safer alternatives.

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Residents Alarmed Over Safety Risks

Tenants say that without fencing, their neighborhood could become more vulnerable to trespassing and other security problems. Several residents report frequent incidents of homeless individuals entering the property. One resident, Taylor, described how people have entered vacant mobile homes and even started fires. The fence, residents argue, serves as a necessary barrier between their homes and external threats.

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Community Organizes for a Response

In response to the management’s plans, residents have begun organizing to have their concerns heard. Lois Lopez, one of the leading voices among tenants, has hosted meetings and collected signatures for a petition to stop the fence removal. Dozens of residents have joined the effort, reflecting broad community concern about both safety and the financial implications of the proposed changes.

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Petition Calls for Alternatives

The petition asks that Kingsley Management Corporation, which owns the park, not only stop the removal of the fences but also cancel plans to impose a new lawn mowing fee. Tenants are especially concerned about being charged for mowing services they did not request or approve. They argue that the costs are unfair and would create an additional burden for residents already struggling to afford rent and utilities.

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Entry Gate Proposed Instead of Fence Removal

As a possible solution, residents are proposing the installation of a secure entry gate rather than the removal of the fencing. They say a gate could regulate access to the community while still maintaining privacy and safety for tenants. Lopez emphasized that the goal is not to block out the public entirely but to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter the park, helping to reduce unauthorized activity.

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Lack of Communication Fuels Frustration

Residents say they have tried to reach out to the park’s corporate management but have received no response. They claim that decisions are being made without tenant input, leaving many in the dark about what to expect. Taylor expressed that the lack of information has made the situation worse, stating that open dialogue could help resolve many of the residents’ concerns.

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Financial Strain a Major Worry

Many tenants at Westwood Mobile Home Estates are elderly or living on fixed incomes. They fear that paying for fence removal or lawn mowing services would stretch their already limited budgets. Lopez pointed out that unexpected fees could tip some residents into financial instability, especially those who are already struggling with the high cost of living. The community’s call to halt the changes is not just about safety but also about economic survival.

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Past Incidents Add to Urgency

The issue is not just theoretical. Residents cite past events as evidence of what could happen without fencing. In one case, a vacant mobile home was entered by individuals who started a fire. Incidents like these have led tenants to see the fences not as decorative, but as a critical layer of protection. With that layer potentially being taken away, many worry that similar or more serious incidents could occur. Residents say they will not back down until they receive answers and see meaningful action. Their demands are simple: preserve the safety of their community and avoid adding financial burdens without consent. As they await further information, tenants remain united in their call for transparency, security, and respect from those who manage the place they call home.

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