With the recent events of vandalism and tragedy through the area, Ann Habeeb and Cecil Steele want to remind people Drummond Street is a nice place to live.

“I was born and raised in this area, and we moved into this house in 1969,” Habeeb said. “It’s a good neighborhood, and I hate that it’s developed such a questionable reputation. There are really good people who live on Drummond Street.”

At any given time during the morning, Drummond Street has residents walking the blocks for exercise, neighbors giving a smile and waving “hello” to passersby, and friendly chatter among residents and the mail carrier.

The Vicksburg Police Department has increased patrol of the area in an effort to decrease crime and restore order to the area.

“Everything happens in fits and starts. There will be events that happen and then we’re calm for a long time and then something else will happen and then we’re calm,” Habeeb said.

The Habeebs have lived and owned property on Drummond Street since 1929. Her grandparents used to own a “mom and pop” shop on the corner of Drummond and Prospect Street, which is now Vicksburg Business Machines.

The family also owns three other houses in the area.

Having been born and raised in the area, she has seen the community evolve and takes pride in the area she’s spent all her life in.

“It was a main thoroughfare. The fact there’s a school a mile away means there’s always been traffic on Drummond Street. It’s always been a neighbor community, I look out for my neighbors, I believe my neighbors look out for me. I suspect anybody of Drummond Street will tell you that,” Habeeb said.

She works hard to maintain the look of her property and even works on her neighbors yard as well. She enlisted the work of Steele Painting Services, LLC to do restorations on her house such as replacing wood, repainting screen doors, scrubbing and priming.

Cecil Steele, his brother, father and nephew have spent a week and a half spending a total of 50 hours on the Habeeb house.

“We’ve been here between 7 and 10 hours a day easily. We’ve been putting some hours in and it’s hot out here,” Steele said.

“This is our job. We maintain ourselves, stay hydrated and pace ourselves.”

Steele used to live on Cherry Street and is fond of the area.

He’s worked on the Stained Glass Manor and has plans to work on three more houses in the area.

The main satisfaction Steele gets out of his work on Drummond Street is bringing some positivity back to the area.

“If we keep on going we’ll paint all of Drummond Street and make it look good, brighten it up a little bit,” Steele said laughing. “I believe Drummond Street has always been the heart of Vicksburg. Vicksburg High School is right down the street, but Drummond Street is one of the main streets and heart of downtown Vicksburg.”

Steele shares the sentiments of Habeeb and wants to maintain the look of Drummond Street.

He doesn’t like to see people litter the street and knows how bad it could be since he is from Detroit.

He wants to keep Vicksburg beautiful and let people see the real Drummond Street.

“It’s a friendly neighborhood, it really is. I walked up and down Drummond Street, just walking to the store. It’s pleasant and nobody bothers you. Everybody’s friendly and everybody say’s hey.”