CLEVELAND, Ohio (WKRC) – A shocking billboard is causing a stir in an Ohio community.
According to WOIO, billboards have been appearing in the Cleveland, Ohio-area that read “Yes! I buy crack houses” and “Your house is trash? I’ll pay cash.”
WOIO extended its report of the situation to Facebook on Tuesday.
Community members speaking to reporters with WOIO called the messages “offensive” and “in poor taste,” per the outlet.
The man behind them is businessman John Williams, who told the outlet that he is investing in the homes to improve neighborhoods.
“What we do is buy homes, generally that are dilapidated, abandoned, they are not occupied. No one is living in them. What we do is we buy these properties; we fix up these homes and they’re affordable housing,” Williams said when speaking to WOIO.
According to the station, Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin said the billboards were not a good way to do business in the community, adding that they “make a mockery” of the neighborhood.
Williams defended the billboards, however, telling WOIO that the use of those words “brings attention to the issue.”
“When you mention crack houses or abandoned houses it gets attention. It brings attention to the issue, and it also brings in leads, which we could acquire these properties that are just sitting there. It’s a big win for everyone. Some people may say using that specific word is not good, but the properties do exist. We all see them. We all either chose to accept that it is that, or ignore it. It looks like it’s been a problem that’s been ignored for decades,” Williams told the outlet.
Council President Griffin told the station that he believes the billboards should be taken immediately.
“Whenever you talk about, ‘Your house is trash, we pay cash,’ and whenever you talk about, ‘We buy crack houses,’ and you come into a predominantly poor, African American community — you’re sending a clear message,” Griffin said. “You’re being condescending, you’re being demeaning, and you’re being disrespectful,” Council President Griffin said when speaking to WOIO.