DRUGS, HOOKERS PLAGUE BUILDING

Residents Of Public Housing Get Help From Mayor

Two women beleaguered by prostitution and drug dealing in a Windsor
Housing Authority complex got quick action in the form of stepped up
police patrols after demonstrating outside city hall Wednesday.

Kim MacDonald and Julie Fournier, both residents of the eight-storey
building at 333 Glengarry Ave., began standing outside city hall just
after 4 p.m. carrying placards detailing the activity in their building.

After sitting outside for about 20 minutes, the pair were granted a
meeting with Mayor Eddie Francis, who summoned Windsor police Supt.
Ken McFarland and Mike Pocock from the Windsor Housing Authority.

After chatting in his office, Francis decided he wanted to see the
building first-hand and drove over for a visit.

MacDonald told of drug dealing and prostitution and even having to pay
a fee to get into the building.

"They say you can't get in until you buy your food," said MacDonald,
adding "food" means drugs.

The price of admission varies but was usually $20, although the woman
refused the drugs. She said Tuesday night was the last straw.

That was because of an encounter she had with a hooker while entering
the building with her fiance.

"As soon as I go by, the hooker says ?let me service your old man
while you watch, ' " said MacDonald.

Her teenage daughter has had her buttocks grabbed by men in the
hallways, she said.

MacDonald said the elevators and common areas such as laundry and
garbage rooms are routinely littered with urine, human feces and used
condoms.

"We can't live like this because of hepatitis and AIDS," said
MacDonald.

The pair said they risk retribution from the tenants who are allowing
the drug dealers and hookers into the building.

They said many other tenants feel the same as they do but have been
reluctant to do anything because of fear.

"I just want everything stopped," said Fournier.

Step up patrols

McFarland said police would step up patrols inside the building
immediately and were given a front-door key, which also allows access
to 495 Glengarry and another with a University Avenue address that is
part of the same complex behind Windsor Water World.

"You shouldn't have to live like this, this is wrong," McFarland told
the women.

"I'll get police presence in here right away."

McFarland said the women were brave to do what they
did.

"You did the right thing coming forward and we won't leave you alone,"
said McFarland.

The building has a custodian who works an eight-hour shift during the
day but there is no security at night.

Francis said more long-term solutions such as video surveillance and
hiring private security are options.

"There's no reason why we can't clean this up," said Francis. "There
are things we can do and we just need to do them. Nobody needs to live
like this. We'll take back the buildings."

Francis said police calls to the complex already cost the
taxpayer.

"If we're getting inundated with police calls, I'd rather spend the
money on private security," said Francis.

While standing outside the building Francis, was approached by other
tenants who told stories that backed up the womens' accounts.

MacDonald, who moved into the building last July, was pleased with the
quick action.

"We're very surprised," said MacDonald.

"Apparently this has been going on for two years and nothing has been
done about it. I'm very shocked.

"We had to go out with a bunch of signs and make fools of ourselves
but I guess it was worth it."