Stabbing death at complex leads to renewed opposition
Neighbours want transitional housing gone after 18- year- old dies
A social agency that offers transitional housing for struggling young people says it will review its processes and procedures after a man died from a stabbing attack at its Collingwood apartment building early Sunday.
McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association said in a statement Monday it has never experienced such a violent episode in its 40- year history, though it faces new criticisms for alleged unsavoury behaviour.
“While this incident is an anomaly, our organization will examine all processes and procedures related to our residence and continue to improve programs and services,” Soraya Saliba, the agency’s executive director, said in a written statement.
An 18- year- old man died early Sunday morning after he was stabbed during a party at the McMan apartment building on the corner of 19th Street and Northmount Drive N. W.
A 17- year- old male was later charged with second- degree murder. A second person, an 18- yearold man, is in police custody and being interviewed by homicide investigators.
Police say the victim’s name will be released after an autopsy is carried out on Tuesday.
McMan said in its statement the victim and suspect are not its clients but were guests of a building resident who receives the agency’s services.
Still, the stabbing has renewed opposition by some neighbours who fought the agency’s plans to establish the housing complex for vulnerable and struggling clients in 2009.
One neighbour, who declined to have her name published, said there has been a notable increase in unsavoury behaviour since the first tenants moved in.
She said she has found discarded needles and used condoms on the ground.
And, among other undesirable activity, she said she found a young person urinating behind her house last summer who exposed himself in front of her.
“We want them out; we want them gone, because this isn’t what the Collingwood community is all about,” said the neighbour, who contacted the offices of her local MLA and councillor with her concerns. “This was a safe community.”
An official at the Calgary- Klein constituency office of MLA Craig Coolahan said she was aware of the complaint and that efforts were underway to reach Coun. Druh Farrell, the local community association and McMan to discuss the concerns.
“It’s definitely on our radar,” said Nina Karimi, constituency assistant. “We’re talking to the respective stakeholders, and we’re taking it seriously.”
In its statement, McMan said it has held regular meetings with the local community association, which has raised only minimal concerns about the building’s residents in the past six years.
Spokeswoman Chantal Macleod said the agency deals with complaints immediately.
“Because there are many youth in this area, we need people to identify individuals,” Macleod wrote to the Herald. “If it is one of our residents, we respond accordingly.”