Violent care home resident ‘managed’

Residents in a Christchurch street fear a disabled occupant of a residential care home is a threat to neighbours and carers.

The young man, an occupant of a HealthCare New Zealand NZCare Disability property in North New Brighton, has vandalised property in the street, most recently throwing a kitchen chair through a 3-year-old boy’s bedroom window across the road from his home.

Residents say he also damaged the boot of a car in July using his bare hands and smashed letterboxes.

Police were called to an incident on October 25, about 6.45pm after the man threw a chair into the window.

The boy’s mother, Debbie, who asked for her last name not to be used, said it was lucky her son was not in the room at the time.

‘‘We heard a crash and my partner went out and realised a dining chair had been thrown through my son’s bedroom window.

‘‘There was glass all over his toys and clothes . . . it would have been pretty devastating for him. We didn’t realise that there was somebody living across the road that had those sorts of tendencies.’’

The window was fixed and paid for by Healthcare NZ within a week.

Fire and police were called to an incident on the morning of October 27, when a fire alarm went off.

Neighbour Maurice Keats said he heard a ‘‘big ruckus’’ by the house that morning. He was told the man was smashing windows at the side of the house.

Neighbours were told the young man was removed from the home after the incident and did not know if he would return. Others said they were not informed he was was living on the street.

Christchurch City councillor David East, who lives near the property, said although his property had not been affected, he was aware of the problems.

‘‘To their credit, the people who run the house have stood up and made repairs when necessary. [The man has] got to be looked after somewhere and hopefully we can help him and work through the issues.’’

A Healthcare NZ spokesman said police had been called on a number of occasions to the house, even by the 24-hour carers who look after the young man.

But the organisation was working through the problems and had talked with neighbours.

‘‘Each person we support has a personal support plan for how we manage any risks.’’

Carers had attended neighbourhood support sessions, he said.

The spokesman would not comment on the young man’s condition, age, how long he had lived there or if he would return.