Regina seniors calling for action on housing safety after various incidents, one involving harpoon

Residents of a Regina senior living facility are demanding stronger security after a series of incidents raised safety concerns. Wayne Mantyka reports.

Residents of a Regina seniors’ housing complex are calling for stronger security measures after a series of incidents, including attempted break-ins at night, strangers loitering in hallways, and the discovery of a makeshift harpoon in a common area.

The Saskatchewan New Democrats held a media event Monday outside Mary Helen Herchmer Place, a provincially owned high-rise, to highlight ongoing safety concerns at the building and others operated by the Regina Housing Authority.

Marleen Robins, who has lived at Mary Helen Herchmer Place for two years, said repeated requests for action have gone unanswered.

“Seniors not just here but right across Saskatchewan, we deserve to feel safe and to get the support that we need without having to wait,” she said.

Similar concerns were raised by Doug Pelletier, a resident of the Davis Mews seniors complex.

“Guests of the tenants are roaming around all hours of the night. One was found sleeping in the laundry room lately. The tenants don’t feel safe,” he said.

The opposition displayed a photo of the spear-like weapon found in a common area of Mary Helen Herchmer Place, noting it occurred two years ago.

The NDP says residents have also reported assaults, forced entries, and non-residents sleeping in hallways.

Robins said repeated requests for action have gone unanswered despite meetings with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“We have gotten two meetings with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and not one thing has changed. There is an urgent need for more security cameras around the building, but trying to get the government to implement them has been a waste of time,” she said.

Pelletier described another ongoing concern.

“We reported bed bugs on the first floor, and it took two weeks for maintenance to come look into it. By that time, they had spread to the third floor. We just want to feel like this government takes our issues seriously and acts on them,” he said.

NDP Leader Carla Beck said a government under her leadership would increase investment in public housing and ensure seniors are included in decisions affecting their homes and safety.

“They want their concerns addressed, and that’s not something that we’re seeing by this government at this point,” she said. “I’m glad that they were able to stand up and raise their voices.”

In a statement to CTV News, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation said tenant health and safety remains a priority, claiming it works with housing authorities to address concerns in a timely manner.

The agency said its security measures, including fob entry systems and security cameras, are in place at Mary Helen Herchmer Place and Davis Mews, and that no similar incidents have been reported since the harpoon issue was resolved in January of 2024.

“There are no cuts to building maintenance or common-area cleaning services, and all efforts are made to respond to maintenance needs as quickly as possible,” the corporation said, encouraging tenants to contact housing authorities or police with concerns.