The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Father’s disgust at scourge of drug users in tenement block
ADundee dad says his six-year-old son has been left confused and scared by drug users injecting and defecating in a communal stairwell.
Jake Osborne, 27, says no child should have to witness the scenes that often happen in the close of their Dundonald Street tenement block.
His son, Logan Hill, stays with him four days a week and has frequently seen addicts in the act as the pair enter and exit.
They have also seen human faeces, tin foil used for “cooking” heroin and smashed bottles.
Jake, a Covid-19 cleaner at BT’S Bell Street call centre, has lived in the flat for about two and-a-half years.
He said he has been promised a secure entrance to the block many times but it has yet to happen.
He said: “My son is only six so I have to try to explain what they are doing and it’s not easy.
“It’s just not something a child should see. I try to get them to leave but they’re usually high as a kite and can be quite aggressive.”
Mr Osborne rents the flat from Rockford Properties, which does not manage all units in the block.
Georgia Bedford, a director at Rockford, said: “In regards to this particular block, Rockford have been instrumental in engaging with the police and council since 2017 to try to get something going.
“To get any improvements done, it does require the collective agreement of all the owners.
“Our forms for the door entry system have been with the council for years.
“Sadly, other landlords have refused to engage and there is no legal requirement for them to do so.
“I have taken a personal interest to try and get this over the line but it’s not an easy situation.” It “could be months, rather than weeks” before a security entry is in place, she added.
Jake said: “The inside of our flat is really nice so we would rather not move.
“I know Dundonald Street has had problems for a long time with this kind of thing and many of the flats were given secure entrance ways to solve it.
“I believe we are the only block on the street that still does not have this.”
It comes as Dundee City Council held a recent meeting with community groups on how to protect private tenants living in sub-standard conditions.
Colin Clement, from the Stobswell Forum, said the group has sought better security and lighting in closes for years.
He said: “The key is to keep pushing. We are not going away.”
A council spokesman said: “Our Private Sector Services Unit provide advice, information and limited financial assistance to owners, landlords and private tenants to enable them to deal with a range of housing-related matters.
“There is limited Private Sector Housing Grant funding available to assist homeowners with improvement works in tenement blocks.
“Officers will continue to engage with any residents... interested in pursuing financial assistance for the installation of a secure door entry or lighting.”