In a fit of frustration and fear, several residents of Plaza 200 and Creekside apartments say an electric scooter set on fire in the underground parking lot on Tuesday was the last straw for them. They want to move from their 91原创 City apartments after increasing crime activity there.
91原创 City fire crews were called in around 3:15 p.m., as was ambulance, for a car fire in the underground parking lot of the apartments in the 5400 block of 200 Street on Tuesday afternoon.
Three engines and 14 firefighters quickly put out the fire before it could spread to the large complex. There was heavy smoke when they arrived. The scooter fire was deliberately set. It was completely destroyed.
Sprinklers were activated, but one resident said not before he took two fire extinguishers to the blaze.
鈥淚t was so black in there, I just pointed the extinguisher to the flames,鈥� said Matthew.
He was there trying to put out a fire on his aunt鈥檚 scooter parked beside a vehicle that had just been vandalized the day before, he said.
鈥淚 have a three-year-old daughter who lives here too. I didn鈥檛 want the fire to spread,鈥� he said.
Matthew, who asked that his full name not be used, was joined by a myriad of residents who said their complex has been under siege by a group of about four 鈥渉omeless druggies鈥� who got keys to the place around a month ago.
鈥淚 almost got stabbed by one of them on Saturday,鈥� said Matthew. His family called the police. When they came, police just took the knife away and let the suspect go, according to Matthew and his mother.
After that incident, the word 鈥渟nitch鈥� was scratched into their vehicle in the underground parking area, and tires were slashed, they said.
Other residents report one of the suspects threatening a woman with a bat. Others said there has been numerous vehicle break-ins, vandalism, people sleeping in hallways and causing concern.
Some residents claim they have asked the property management to change the locks but nothing is done. The apartment managers didn鈥檛 want to comment.
91原创 RCMP are investigating the arson, along with the City fire department. Police say there has been increased criminal activity since April, with four incidents in June. But there have only been six calls altogether since January, police say.
鈥淭here is a great deal of rumour and speculation flying around with the tenants, and the manager has been very supportive in doing what he can to make the buildings safer,鈥� said police spokesperson Cpl. Holly Marks
鈥淲e do have video of suspects breaking into Creekside and are anticipating charge approval,鈥� Marks said. She said 91原创 RCMP Core Enforcement Team is now focusing on this area.
Police say there have been a number of of issues with the apartment buildings in the neighbourhood for the last couple of months.
