Dartmouth man concerned with supervision of group home residents

A group of Dartmouth residents will have to look elsewhere for the answers they are seeking about group homes setting up in their neighbourhoods.

The residents approached Councillor Darren Fisher after they say a number of the homes were established in their area, however he said there’s not much he can do because it’s not a city responsibility.

“My interest in this was trying to find out whether there was jurisdiction, whether this is something through the land use bylaw, whether I was able to provide them with any details, and I was told clearly it’s complete jurisdiction of the Department of Community Services,” said Fisher.

Jason has lived in the area for 42-years and told The Rick Howe Show, and feels every level of government he’s talk to has passed it off to another.

“I’ve talked to Andrew Younger, and nobody seems to know who’s jurisdiction this is,” he said.

He said two of his neighbours have even put their houses up for sale.

Jason added he isn’t asking for the group homes to be closed down, but he’s concerned for the safety of his family and neighbours, and he wants to know who is living in his area.

Right now, Jason said there are four group homes in a ten house radius of where he lives, with a possible fifth on the way.

He added there’s a big difference in the quality of care between the public and private group home residents.

Jason said the government run home has been on his street for 20-years, the people who live there are excellent and the supervision is one-on-one.

“The three that have moved in are private…they’re not supervised like the other one.”

He said there have been instances of group home residents publicly exposing themselves with others becoming disoriented and walking into homes on the street, and that could be a disaster waiting to happen.

“Something could happen to one of these patients walking into the wrong house,” he said. “If you’re going to defend your family, you don’t know who’s walking in your house.”

Jason said they will now take their concerns to the Ministry of Community Services.

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