In mid-October, a woman was raped inside her apartment after a man posed as a vacuum salesman to gain entry. His arrest came after deputies say Dry returned to Country Wood, again posed as a salesman and tried to enter another woman's apartment. Knowing of the first attack because the victim had reported it to the complex's managers, who then circulated fliers about the suspect, the second woman was able to stall Dry and call 911. That led to the Nov. 3 meeting. Residents say the social setting resolved other issues affecting quality of life in the 536-unit complex south of Stall Road off N Dale Mabry Highway.
People seem a lot nicer to each other.
Before, we were like zombies walking around with blinders on. For his part, Perez has volunteered to be a crime watch captain in his building. He now carries a cellular phone while walking his dog three times a day. His job is to call a non-emergency number at the Sheriff's Office if he spots suspicious people or activity. The management is also getting involved in improving safety.