THUNDER BAY - A local landlord who ran for city council in the fall has taken extreme measures in an attempt to evict a tenant who he believes is selling crack cocaine from his apartment.
Norm Staal, who owns an upstairs apartment building on the 300 block of Simpson Street, says attempts to remove the tenant have been unsuccessful despite issuing a complaint to the police.
As a result, he’s displaying a sign on the top of his truck which reads ‘Crack House Upstairs - 50% Off.’
“If nothing can be done about it, I may as well help them out and advertise for them,” Staal said.
A former city council candidate who finished roughly 3,000 voters shy in his attempt to grab a seat in October's municipal election, Staal said he isn’t taking the situation lightly despite his witty approach to solving the matter.
He says tenants have complained to him about physical assault, noise, and a general sense of fear.
“They’re scared to live here,” he said.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act of 2006, in Ontario a landlord can end a tenancy early if the tenant has committed an illegal act, impaired the safety of other tenants, or interfered with other tenants’ enjoyment.
However, Staal says in order to evict the unwanted tenant on the basis of a complaint, the complainant would need to appear in court.
“They have to come to court, but they’re living with a crack dealer, so they’re scared. I don’t blame them. I’m sick of it.”
Staal has owned the property on Simpson Street since 1999. He says he’s dealt with similar activity for a number of years.
“Tenants come to me and my hands are tied. I’m at my wits end. I don’t know what to do about it.”
The tenant who Staal alleges is selling drugs has resided in the unit for two and a half months.
Although he has not physically seen the alleged drugs or drug activity. His belief is informed by first-hand accounts.
“There’s people dealing crack out of there. No doubt. I know people who use crack that have told me.”
Police responded to a request for comment by saying they are aware of numerous residences where drug dealing is taking place, though they didn't comment a single address in particular.
"When we have enough evidence and the grounds are there we will make arrests and lay charges," city police said via e-mail response on Tuesday. "The ability for us to do the work lies in this and not on picking and choosing one drug house location over another."
None of the allegations being made by Staal have been proven in a court of law, nor have any charges been laid.
