The ward councillor for the Airport Heights area says she has heard from residents who are concerned about safety related to the transitional housing facility inside the old Comfort Inn.
Last week, PC housing critic Joedy Wall revealed that he has heard from residents who are concerned with “breaks ins, drug use, and harassment,” due to a lack of supports with the facility, noting that one resident even sold their home because of it.
Ward 1 councillor Jill Bruce says since Christmas she too has received concerns from residents around the “perception of not feeling safe,” with some of the emails she has received describing strangers hanging around in people’s yards, and people approaching others in the neighbourhood.
Photo via City of St. John’s
She notes, however, that she does not recall receiving information about criminal acts such as break-ins and violence.
Bruce says she had a meeting with Minister John Hogan and Doug Pawson of End Homelessness St. John’s, and they have come up with some solutions, such as an increased RNC presence around the facility and more security at the site as well.
