Wilmington Housing Authority gets new CEO with big plans

The Wilmington Housing Authority has a new CEO.

Mike Krause said one of his goals is to make public housing safer for residents.

Krause is four days into his new role as CEO of the Wilmington Housing Authority. He is in charge of looking after 800 people in about eight public housing locations. “I want to hear from the residents, I want to hear what they’re concerns are, so I am informed as I need to be too.”

Margaret Jackson and Pauline Sutton live in the Houston Moore housing development. They say crime is a major issue in their neighborhood.

Jackson said, “It’s scary to sit outside because you’re constantly watching your back, looking over your shoulder, your trying to be safe sitting on your front porch.”

On Labor Day, a woman was shot at Creekwood South apartments inside her truck.

“I think any criminal activity, especially a crime as serious as homicide, is unacceptable,” said Jackson.

Monday Krause met with Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous. He plans to partner with police to increase patrols around the housing authority neighborhoods. He also wants more lighting in poorly lit areas, and security cameras to be fixed.

Pauline and Margaret are not convinced the crimes will stop.

”It’s nothing you can really say we can do because crime has been around before we were born, so it’s not that – oh we can stop this or stop that, it’s just something that’s going to happen, that’s called life,” said Pauline Sutton.

Krause says he is confident the renewed partnership with police will make public housing safer.