Moncton Community Residences

This residence is bad managed and is a threat for the neighbor. Actions by the authorities must be taken. As today June 20nd, 2020 the situation has not been improved regarding many years of complains.

December 16, 2008


MONCTON COMMUNITY RESIDENCES, INC.
357 Collishaw Street
Moncton, N.B. E1C 9R2



I feel compelled to write this after the recent events that have occurred in my community.

I would like to start by letting you know that we have lived in this house for many years now. We have three children that we are proud to be raising in Moncton. We are active in the community, volunteering, attending community events and getting to know our neighbours. You run the residence directly beside us.

We have developed very friendly relationships with many of the residents of your property over the years, have been sad to see some of them move on. On a few occasions I have had to speak to someone regarding some concerns. The most serious up until now being the one young man who would have only what I could describe as frequent rage episodes in the driveway (which borders my property). The police were present many times. My son who was aprox. 4 at the time no longer felt safe playing in his own backyard. When I spoke with the gentleman who I believe was the director, I was assured that the issue was being handled. I was also assured that there was adequate supervision at the residence and that no one placed at the residence would be a danger to me or my family. This is obviously not the case.

On November 11th Danon Jeffrey Hansen intentionally set fire to the home of the sleeping Powell family on our street. He was one of your residents. This is not the first time this man has had an issue with arson. He was found not criminally responsible for his actions due to his mental disorder. I do understand and sympathize that people with mental disorders who commit crimes do not always belong in the prison system and I truly hope that he gets the best treatment available. Maybe my feeling would be different if my life and my children’s lives were spared only by moments as were the Powell’s.

I can appreciate the fact he is not wholly responsible for his actions, but I feel you are. You assessed him, cared for him, and placed him within feet of my home.

The idea of integrating people with disabilities into the community is one that I truly believe in. I think that everyone can benefit when it is done well. You are not doing a good enough job. I no longer want to have your residence near me, and I know that I am echoing many neighbour’s sentiments.

Is it your screening process for residents? Is it the lack of provincial supervision? Should the community have intervened earlier? I do not know what went wrong. At this point I no longer care. It is not worth the risk to my family and our community to wait while you figure out what the problems are and fix them. Who is taking over Danon Hansen’s empty bed in your residence? Another arsonist? A pedophile? I do not trust your screening process or your supervision. I obviously know not all people with disabilities are dangerous, but you knowingly moved an extremely dangerous man into my community, did not supervise him, and never warned us.

I believe that there may be legal action taken against you and I fully support this. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that you do not have the opportunity to make another monumental mistake. It is with a heavy heart that I say I no longer want you running a residence in my community. It saddens me to think that some of your current residents may not understand that my feelings have nothing to do with them, only with the people that have been entrusted to care for them and failed to so.

I have spent some time reading through literature regarding your organization and that put forth by our provincial government.

The Department of Social Development, New Brunswick Disability Framework Working Group, Values and Principles document states…
“It is easy to forget that persons with disabilities often face greater challenges and have more difficulty addressing basic survival needs. Special support may be necessary to meet essential safety and security needs.” - Where was your supervision? What do you consider essential safety and security needs?

The Government of New Brunswick Long- Term Care Services for Adults and Seniors Social Development document states …
“A range of in-home support services are available to assist clients with the tasks of everyday living. If it is not possible for the client to live in his/her own home, options could be an alternate family living arrangement, where the client lives with a substitute family, or a residential facility approved to provide the services required by the client.” - Why did you not provide the services that were required for your client?

The same document also states….
“Facilities for out-of-home long term care services are approved and monitored. Room and board is provided, as well as required supervision and assistance with activities of daily living.”- Again, where was the supervision?

From the Report of the New Brunswick Disability Framework Working Group October 2002.…
“That the providers of services and supports adhere to standards “- Were the standards not adhered to or are they just that low?

“That persons with disabilities remain safe from harm - particularly in circumstances where people live in government licensed or regulated residential facilities..”- What about the communities safety? The safety of your other residents?
This document also refers to Regional Citizen Committees, have they been put in place?

I have no idea, nor can I imagine how amends could be made to the Powell family and I only speak for myself when I state that the current situation is no longer acceptable. I will not gamble my family’s safety or quality of life on your program.

With great concern,

Racheal MacDonald