Seniors in Thunder Bay, Ont., call for more security to address drug trafficking, home takeovers

Residents of a seniors' social housing building in Thunder Bay, Ont., are calling for more security measures amid increasing concerns about illegal activities happening in their building.

More than 40 tenants of Paterson Court, located on the city's south side, held a rally this week calling for a stop to drug trafficking and home takeovers there.

The demonstration was sparked by an incident on Feb. 10, where a 49-year-old man was arrested at the building for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, according to the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS). 

Since then, the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) has committed to adding extra security patrols in the building, but tenants say they want to see systemic change at all seniors' buildings in the city.

"We just want to come and go as we please and not worry about who's behind us or hiding behind a door or a hallway," said Eleanor Boyd, who's lived at Paterson Court for 18 years. "We want our safety back. We want to be not scared all the time."

Last spring, a public meeting was held in the city's Westfort neighbourhood following a daylight shooting at Spence Court, another TBDSSAB-owned building. That incident prompted demands for more police action to address escalating guns and gang violence.

Home takeovers have been an ongoing problem in Thunder Bay, which happens when criminals move into a vulnerable person's home to conduct criminal activities. The City of Thunder Bay has an entire webpage detailing how to spot it and what to do about it.

"The Thunder Bay Police Service collaborates with the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board to address crime and improve public safety. Addressing the ongoing challenges of home takeovers and drug trafficking remain significant priorities," said Matt Vis, media relations co-ordinator for TBPS, in an email Thursday.

"The Thunder Bay Police Service has a multi-faceted approach involving multiple branches and units that contribute to front-line emergency response, directed patrols and community outreach, along with investigations and enforcement," he said.

Extra security added at Paterson Court

Bill Bradica, CAO of TBDSSAB, told CBC News there's been two serious incidents at Paterson Court in the last couple months which required police involvement. The building, located on May Street, contains 111 units and is designated for people 60 and older.

"We take the safety and comfort of all of our tenants seriously and empathize with the impact of those incidents that occurred where police were involved, and understand that can be very traumatic," Bradica said.

There's been misinformation spread about Paterson Court since the Feb. 10 incident, according to Bradica, especially around the building's cleanliness. He said the health and safety measures at the building include:

• A full-time custodian who works there five days a week.
• A total of 90 security cameras in and around the building.
• A property management supervisor and tenant support worker who both meet with tenants regularly.
• An after-hours call-in service where tenants can report maintenance issues or biohazards.

While some tenants called for screening measures to control who can enter the building, Bradica said that as per the Residential Tenancies Act, tenants are allowed to have guests, and TBDSSAB cannot dictate who is permitted inside.

"We cannot discriminate against someone based on their mental health or substance use," Bradica said about who gets to be a tenant in the building. 

He also emphasized the importance of not treating people in social housing as criminals based on negative stereotypes.

A meeting between TBDSSAB staff and tenants was held last week and a follow-up meeting is coming to determine next steps.

'This is our home'

Laverne Rollick says she is the tenant who called 911 in connection with the Feb. 10 incident after she witnessed a person with a weapon on the property. The encounter sent her running back to her apartment, hyperventilating.

Linda Gambee, secretary of the Paterson Court Tenants Association, calls the rally a "small victory" – and said she's cautiously optimistic about the addition of a security guard doing a nightly walkthrough of the building.

However, Gambee and Rollick said they'd like to see 24-7 support and better monitoring of the security cameras in place.

"This is our home. Why can't we be secure? What's so hard about that?" Rollick asked.

Gambee acknowledged the difficulty of managing tenants who experience mental health and addiction issues and who may be more vulnerable to home takeovers by criminals.

"They deserve to be treated and they deserve to live in housing – but where they should be is in supportive housing, which we don't have enough of in Thunder Bay," Gambee said.

'Neighbours should look out for each other'

It's important for neighbours to support one another, especially in communal settings where their actions impact those around them, said Douglas Kwan, the director of advocacy and legal services at the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario.

When it comes to home takeovers, Kwan said tenants are often taken advantage of, and shouldn't necessarily be blamed for what's going on in their unit.

"There are people who are vulnerable and are scared of asserting their rights," Kwan said. "People who are in financial distress, low income, they're less apt to complain about things that are happening – but I'm particularly pleased that at least all the seniors [at Paterson Court] are trying to work together to try and solve the situation."

Though home takeovers can happen anywhere, Kwan said more systemic changes can help those more at risk to avoid these situations, including higher social assistance rates, more affordable and transitional housing, and better access to mental health and addiction services.

"Neighbours should look out for each other and have a stronger sense of community," he said. "Working together, and informing the landlord to take steps to ensure that people who want to take advantage of those vulnerable neighbours aren't allowed in the building."

Collaborative approach needed, says councillor

Coun. Brian Hamilton, who represents the McKellar ward, said he regularly meets with residents of Paterson Court, and conversations have recently shifted toward safety concerns.

"These issues are society-wide currently – so issues that residents might feel in a multi-residential situation, people are feeling it also at the neighbourhood level," Hamilton said.

There are a number of factors at play, from the ongoing opioid crisis to the post-COVID-19 recovery, which may be contributing to a rise in mental health and addiction issues seen on the streets, he said.

"These aren't always criminal matters, these are mental health matters, these are social, these are family matters, so it really takes a multi-jurisdictional approach."

He, too, called for more transitional housing units, and said community organizations must work together to make sure all residents have their needs met.

"We can't police our way out of a mental health and addictions crisis," he said. "We do need the support of the social agencies and we need the support of every level of government as well, including municipal."