Deaf Jacksonville man receives support from community after his home is burglarized
News4Jax reported that a 25-year-old deaf man from Jacksonville, Florida had his apartment broken in and burglarized about a week ago. His name is Jordan Whitty.
JORDAN WHITTY:
My name is Jordan Whitty. I am from Jacksonville, Florida.
THE DAILY MOTH:
His apartment’s sliding glass door had a glass pane that was busted through and his valuable possessions were either stolen or damaged.
(Video showing damaged glass pane and vandalized items)
JORDAN WHITTY:
I was working. After work, I got home and it already happened. They stole $500 in cash that was in a lockbox that was hid in the bedroom. They stole my shoes. Just everything, it was all gone.
THE DAILY MOTH:
He works at Dick’s Wings and walks more than 40 minutes per way to work. Two days before his home was broken into last week, he was attacked by masked men.
JORDAN WHITTY:
I was working until 9:30. I was walking and it was dark outside. It took me 44 minutes to my apartment by my workplace. I saw two men standing there. I just walked past them. Then there were other men and they grabbed my backpack and jumped me. They were strangers with black masks that had holes around their eyes. I couldn’t see their faces. It was unexpected. It was very painful and I went to the hospital.
THE DAILY MOTH:
To make matters worse, his apartment was already in disrepair due to a major leak in his ceiling that he said was ignored by his apartment management for months. His glass pane was not replaced in over a week. He had to fashion a covering by himself using tape.
(News4Jax video clip showing Jordan Whitty covering a broken glass pane with cardboard and tape. He gestures “thumbs down” to a reporter. His apartment ceiling has a gaping hole. An image shows a big puddle on the floor).
JORDAN WHITTY:
I remember that in March, there were holes and black spots on the ceiling. That was three months ago, in March. I was sleeping and suddenly there was a huge puddle of water. The ceiling was leaking. It woke me up. I had to turn off the water and there was a lot of damage. I made several calls and asked the office to fix it and they said they would. But there were many delays, for three months! It’s not fair. I pay my rent. It doesn’t feel right. My rent is not used to fix it.
THE DAILY MOTH:
He’s had many misfortunes. He did start a GoFundMe to ask people to help him get back on his feet. After the news feature, at least 235 people donated about $11,000 in only one day.
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THE DAILY MOTH:
In an interview with Jordan, he said a police officer who responded to the break-in helped him by complaining to the apartment management and by reaching out to a reporter. That turned things around for him with the community support.
I asked Jordan what it means to him to receive this support from the community.
JORDAN WHITTY:
I’m so touched by the amount of help I’ve received by people. It’s so much. It’s over $10,000 raised. My heart is full. I’m so happy. Not only that, people have showed up to my home. I don’t know who they are, but they wanted to provide help. They’ve approached me out of the blue. They offered me rides and gave me their text numbers. I got this card as well and was told that if I needed food, I could reach out. Also, some interpreters came after the news feature. They visited me and they said they wanted to support deaf people. I truly appreciate it and my heart is full.
THE DAILY MOTH:
News4Jax reached out to the property manager of the apartment — Kings Trail Apartments — to inquire about the damage and repairs. The manager said “she was aware of the problems” and that “sometimes it takes time” but that they “would take care of his unit.”
But Jordan is ready to move out.
JORDAN WHITTY:
I plan to move out. I am looking for a place. I’m also talking with an attorney who will help me with breaking the lease through legal action. I’m ready to move soon!
THE DAILY MOTH:
If you’d like to support his GoFundMe or view his story on News4Jax, please click on the links above or in the transcript.
News4Jax: https://bit.ly/3dnKQPh
GoFundMe: https://bit.ly/3fwrmcY