Guards called in as Melbourne apartment nightmare worsens
Bloody fights, terrifying screams, syringes tossed in backyards and now guards at the door. The nightmare of living in this brand-new apartment complex in Melbourne’s east is just getting worse. WATCH THE VIDEO
VIC News
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Guards have been stationed at a new apartment complex overrun with rogue tenants amid alarm about increasing violence.
A disturbing incident over the weekend — captured on video seen by the Herald Sun — has heightened safety fears with police called.
The video shows a bloodied-faced woman emerging from an apartment and desperately begging shocked residents for help.
They had gone to investigate on hearing her screams.
Blood is seen splashed on walls and the floor in the hallway.
There’s been repeated trouble at about a half dozen apartments rented to public housing tenants, who private owners say they had no idea they would be living alongside when they bought in.
Authorities held urgent talks this week.
Several owners have been forced to move out of their homes — one declaring: “We are living in fear and danger.”
“I just can’t believe this is happening,’’ they said.
The Herald Sun has been told the building’s ground floor has been nicknamed the “crystal level” because of rampant use and dealing of the drug ice.
Syringes have been discarded over balconies into resident’s backyards and people allegedly caught shooting up drugs in the stairwell.
People have also been found passed out in the hallway.
Guards have been stationed at the building’s entrance following the weekend’s incident.
Police were already ramping up patrols in the area while the Department of Health and Human Services was assisting tenants wanting to move out.
“Staff from the department are now conducting weekly visits at the complex to visit tenants and view the area,’’ a DHHS spokesman said.
“If there are indications of drug use or illegal activity this information will be passed on in our regular communication with the police.”
Public housing residents have complained feral tenants are giving them a bad name and they too feel unsafe.
A mum said her daughter thought there was a monster in her bedroom because of constant screaming and fighting from neighbours at night.
“It’s out of control,’’ she said.
“I am so appreciative of the new apartment — they are beautiful.
“But I’ve got to the point where I do not want to even walk out my front door.”
Another tenant said: “Some people have paid over half a million dollars for their apartment here.”
“I feel so sorry for them. It’s a disgrace,’’ they said.
“When I first came here everyone was smiling. Now everyone looks at the floor.
“The ground floor is called the crystal level — that is where the crystal meth is coming from.”
The Herald Sun last month exposed problems at the complex, in the Whitehorse municipality in Melbourne’s east.
One resident was so scared she slept with an axe and furniture stacked against the door before leaving a home she spent years saving for.