Calls for help falling on deaf ears?

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Residents of Buffalo's Central Park area say they're living in fear, as gangs take over their neighborhood. Neighbors say desperate calls for help have fallen on deaf ears.

Concerned neighbors on Manhattan Avenue are armed with video cameras capturing scenes several times a week.

Martha Bolden said, "We're just, we're tired of it."

Bolden reached out to News 4 to say she and her neighbors are tired of dozens of teens invading their street, "They're trashing people's houses, busting out people's windows, jumping on people's kids. It's just a melee."

Concerned neighbor Patricia Hines said, "The children can't come out here and play. The senior citizens can't come out and sit on their porches, because they're afraid."

Neighbors say police do eventually show up and the kids disperse, but they always come back. The residents know police can't act alone and parents need to take some responsibility.

Concerned neighbor Elizabeth Johnson said, "I knew where my kids were at all times. But some of these parents now, they don't care about where their kids are, what their kids are doing, as long as they're not in front of them doing it."

Residents tell News 4 they heard shots fired on their street two weeks ago, and they fear it's only a matter of time before an innocent person or child is killed.

Bolden said, "They could be coming to fight "Johnny" and little "Lucy" gets shot. A bullet don't have no name. So I teach my kids go on my porch and go in the door."

Buffalo Police tell News 4 they only have records of responding to two fight calls on Manhattan since the beginning of the year, but they'll do whatever they can to help the residents.

Neighbors don't know what it's going to take to get the problems to stop.

Bolden said, "My opinion is they haven't lived long enough to value their lives, and a lot of them ain't going to see the time to values their lives."