News
Surveillance cameras to be installed at Struthers Manor
Despite the tragic murder of 56-year-old Mark Westfall at Struthers Manor on Tuesday, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority says they have a waiting list of people who want to live there.
Thursday, July 17th 2014, 7:02 PM EDT
Updated:
STRUTHERS, Ohio -
Despite the tragic murder of 56-year-old Mark Westfall at Struthers Manor on Tuesday, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority says they have a waiting list of people who want to live there.
Now YMHA also plans to install surveillance cameras at the facility as an added measure of security.
It's something resident Donna Gaetano believes should have been done a long time ago. When asked if she feels safe at Struthers Manor Gaetano said, "No. We've been in our apartments. Very seldom do I sit out here on the bench."
Gaetano believes there's a drug problem with a few residents, an issue that's come to the forefront since the murder of Mark Westfall who was found dead of apparent stab wounds inside his third floor Struthers Manor apartment.
"As a matter of fact the day that Mark was found we were having a meeting downstairs about the drug scene here," Gaetano said.
Even though investigators aren't releasing a motive, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority officials admit there have been a minimal number of 911 calls. Four calls this year and four calls last year to police for criminal activity or drugs at Struthers Manor.
Carmelita Douglas, the Executive Director of YMHA says, "They did come out and from what the police reports say that I got back it was unfounded."
YMHA plans to install surveillance cameras within the next week or two at Struthers Manor, something that was already in the works before Tuesday's tragedy. An added measure of safety for residents.
"We just really haven't had problems there enough to justify putting funds into additional protective services," Douglas said.
But Douglas says they're willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure residents feel safe at home, and that includes continuing to meet with them on a regular basis.
Now YMHA also plans to install surveillance cameras at the facility as an added measure of security.
It's something resident Donna Gaetano believes should have been done a long time ago. When asked if she feels safe at Struthers Manor Gaetano said, "No. We've been in our apartments. Very seldom do I sit out here on the bench."
Gaetano believes there's a drug problem with a few residents, an issue that's come to the forefront since the murder of Mark Westfall who was found dead of apparent stab wounds inside his third floor Struthers Manor apartment.
"As a matter of fact the day that Mark was found we were having a meeting downstairs about the drug scene here," Gaetano said.
Even though investigators aren't releasing a motive, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority officials admit there have been a minimal number of 911 calls. Four calls this year and four calls last year to police for criminal activity or drugs at Struthers Manor.
Carmelita Douglas, the Executive Director of YMHA says, "They did come out and from what the police reports say that I got back it was unfounded."
YMHA plans to install surveillance cameras within the next week or two at Struthers Manor, something that was already in the works before Tuesday's tragedy. An added measure of safety for residents.
"We just really haven't had problems there enough to justify putting funds into additional protective services," Douglas said.
But Douglas says they're willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure residents feel safe at home, and that includes continuing to meet with them on a regular basis.
