WHEN THE NEIGHBOUR NEXT DOOR IS SELLING DRUGS

In Some Buildings, People Are Afraid To Go Outside Or Take Their Kids
Out To Play

Some apartment dwellers in Niagara Falls don't feel safe because,
they say, drugs are being sold out of their buildings.

This is an issue I began looking into about a year ago. I didn't
write about it at first because it's not something that is easy to prove.

The people you are writing about deny the allegations. Often, the
people running the apartment buildings refuse to acknowledge the
problem even exists.

And, the identity of the people giving you the information must be
kept confidential to protect their safety.

Also, I wanted to make sure this wasn't just an isolated case in one
particular apartment building.

But when I heard from others living in a different apartment building
but on that same street facing the same problem, I knew it was time
to write about it.

While I could mention the name of the street and the apartment
buildings where this activity is thought to be taking place, it would
not be fair to those who live there and have nothing to do with the situation.

The people who need to know that information, including the Niagara
Regional Police, already know.

Some of the people involved might be suspects under investigation, so
it's best not to interfere with that process.

No point tipping someone off that these buildings are being monitored.

But if you happen to be a drug dealer working from an apartment
building, it might be time to close shop - before the police shut you
down. The tenants who live all around you are fed up. That's why they
have now come to the media.

"When I moved to this building it was a lovely and safe place to
live," says one resident. "Now, it seems things have changed for the
worse and keep getting worse."

At this particular building, some residents started a petition asking
to have certain people evicted because they're believed to be selling drugs.

Management has been made aware of the problem.

In this instance, their response is that someone can't be evicted
just because others in the building suspect wrongdoing.

While that's true, others who pay rent to live in those buildings -
including single mothers, children, senior citizens and some who are
physically disabled -should not have to live in fear.

One tenant describes it this way: There are two units in the building
where people are "in and out all day and night" and only stay for a
few minutes at a time.

"There are those who come in and stay for a while and can barely walk
when they leave. Fire exit doors are being left open for their
visitors, so they can avoid the hallway cameras. Many people on all
floors have been awakened at all hours of the night by the banging of
people trying to get into these apartments.

"Drugs in powder and pills have been found on the floors and window sills."

Not long ago, one person was arrested inside the building, charged
with a serious offence and put in jail. That arrest was reported in
The Niagara Falls Review.

Still, problems persist. "There are people here, like myself, who are
now afraid to leave their apartment. And some don't like letting
their children out to play. I ask you this - Who is in jail, the
criminals or the residents?" wonders one tenant.

Some are afraid others in the building will find out they're
complaining. That, they fear, will make them a target.

"I'm just not happy here any more. I don't want to move, but they are
forcing me out," said one tenant, who is 80 years old and has lived
in the building for about 14 years.

Her son, who visits there, said there are people roaming the halls at
all hours of the night. There is too much noise, and people can't
sleep because of the constant interruptions.

"My mother is afraid to open her door. We have a code that I use when
I visit. This was a secure building, but not any more," said the son,
who will sometimes sleep overnight on the couch.

One building superintendent told me he was aware of the complaint and
that it has been investigated, but that there wasn't enough evidence
to evict the suspected drug seller.

There's nothing illegal about visitors going in and out of the
building. If they get new evidence, it will be turned over to police.