Watson Lake resident raises concerns about Campbell Block apartments

A Watson Lake woman is concerned about the state of an apartment building in her community, saying that it's jeopardizing the safety of its residents.

Campbell Block, which houses seven tenants, is located between Watson Lake's well-known Sign Post Forest and the community's recreation centre. The building is run down, with garbage and alcohol bottles strewn around it, and has no locks on the doors.

"The RCMP and the ambulances are going there all the time," says Sherry Botterill, whose friend lives in Campbell Block. "The whole inside of the building is all full of holes in the walls. There's garbage all through the hallways. There's windows broken out all over."

Botterill also says the building has become notorious for minors entering and being given drugs and alcohol. Sergeant Cam Lockwood, with the Watson Lake RCMP, confirmed that police attend to Campbell Block on a regular basis, mostly in regards to alcohol and substance-related issues.

Lockwood says that police have increased their patrols of the area, and are "working with chief and council, and the community, to deal with any areas of major concern."

High rental rates in Watson Lake, says Botterill, mean the building's tenants can't easily find another place to live. She says her major concern is human rights, more specifically, the safety of adults and children who live in the building. Botterill is asking the Liard First Nation, which owns Campbell Block, to take responsibility for the safety of its tenants. 

Liard First Nation Chief Daniel Morris would not comment on the situation.