SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. -- The Cedar Village apartment complex on Eastern Road in South Daytona (see map), officers say, has the worst crime problems, including arsons and drive-by shootings. Eyewitness News asked the city how it plans to fix the problem.

A resident put up a sign at the Cedar Village apartment complex that says "Park at your own risk," something that may be warranted since police have been there 82 times in 2009. A drive-by shooting last week may be the most dramatic crime yet to happen at Cedar Village, but it's not the only one.

A woman was murdered and put in a trash can in 2007. There was also an arson fire and, police say, drug crimes are constant.

"It is an area we're trying to focus on. We have some drug activity in the area and we're hitting that hard," said Doug Wright of the South Daytona Police Department.

The city hit back Thursday by fining the complex owners $250, strictly because police have to keep going there. Whenever police come for a nuisance call, loud music, a disturbance or a fight, there could be a fine.

"They should start doing background checks before people move in. Maybe it'd be safer around here," said resident Laura Domingue.

Some parents said they don't think they'll visit a next door city park anymore. Neighbors said they don't feel safe living by the complex.

The owners would not comment, but said they are improving the property. Their position is that crimes aren't caused by tenants, just visitors.

The owners say they don't feel it's fair they should worry about being fined if they call police. Owner Darren Jafroodi said he believes the city's push to clean things up is actually racially-motivated.

Police already count eight nuisance calls for the month of May, so there could be more fines in the works.