SENIORS FED UP WITH DRUG DEALERS

Safety a Concern at Sunrise Manor

Walter Briand, and other residents of an apartment building for seniors say
unwanted visitors are selling drugs in their building's lobby and making
them fear for their safety.

Mr. Briand, a tenant at Sunrise Manor on Gottingen Street, is one of
several residents who says the number of people coming into the building
off the street worries him.

"The security here is nothing," he said. "People come right in here and
there's no one to stop them."

Natasha Jackson, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Regional Housing
Authority, which manages the building said that staff monitor the building
from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and a security guard is in the building from 4:30
PM to 8:30 AM.

One resident of the building, who didn't want to be named, said that he's
seen young people up to no good in the building since he came to live there
in January.

The man said young people are using the building's lobby to get away from
bad weather and the eyes of the police when doing their drug deals.

Halifax Regional Police spokeswoman Theresa Brien said there's been one
complaint about drug deals taking place in the building months ago. There
was an investigation, but no arrests were made.

Mr. Briand said that there have been problems in the building in the past,
but an increased police presence temporarily stopped it.

"The cops were here and it was good for a while," he said. "But then they
left and (the trouble) started back again," he said.

Another tenant, who has lived in the building for three years and didn't
want his name used, said there had been problems with people coming into
the building before, but he believed it had been taken care of and felt safe.

"I'm more afraid of the neighbourhood outside than I am of the building,"
he said. "I know many residents who won't go out after dark; I know I
won't. If the bad influences are coming in here, then something needs to be
done about it."

Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown) said she had not heard about problems
in the building but said she wasn't really surprised.

"I have heard of drugs being sold in the building before, so obviously it's
back again," she said.

Ms. Sloane said there should be an increased police presence inside and
around the building, and better security measures taken to make sure the
residents are safe in their homes.

Ms. Jackson, said the housing authority was notified a few months ago about
non-residents gaining access to the building.

Ms. Jackson said the authority increased security and placed police in the
building. She said the matter was resolved and there have been no
complaints from residents since.

A tenant who wished to be identified only as Connie said anybody can get
into the building if they really want to.

"The security will let anybody in here," she said. "I could be a drug
dealer and say I'm someone's cousin and go right in."

Ms. Jackson said residents and their relatives are encouraged to contact
the authority if they have concerns.

"We take security and safety of our residents very seriously," she said.