Time to Stash the Trash Again

Owners of Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments may be after some extra government money again. Tenants received notice dated August 16, 2012 regarding 'inspection items'.  It doesn't mention which particular agency or agencies are involved with this inspection. So this must be an extra special inspection because some tenants continue to report insufficient 24-hour notice to gain entry into their units during other times throughout the year.

With all the fights, firesetting, suspicious business listings, live-ins, vandalism, and illegal drug abuse taking place at this subsidized housing complex, it's amazing this nuisance property would even be eligible for government funds. I suppose it depends on who corporate landlords rub elbows with. It is an election year afterall and corporate partners from this housing complex are known for contributing to campaigns, especially to the Democratic Party. Anyway, here is what the notice reads. I believe the initials at the bottom stand for Linda Hamilton and Janet Hamilton. This time their notice carries the Spring Gate Apartments letterhead.

We have recently had several inspections of the common areas of the property and expect

another inspection later in August. In order to prepare for that inspection we need to make

residents aware of items that must be taken care of immediately.

• If you have an air conditioner in a bedroom window that only has one window it must

be removed immediately. If the bedroom has only one window that window is

considered the second means of egress (or exit) in an emergency. Your unit will fail the

inspection if that window is blocked with either an air conditioner or furniture such as

beds or dressers.

• If you have cable wires laying on the floor of your apartment it is considered a trip

hazard. Your unit will fail the inspection if there are any trip hazards in your apartment.

• A" storage items, trash, bicycles, toys, and etc., must be removed from patios and

porches.

• If you have trash or items stored in the hallways it must be removed. The mats and

carpets in front of your apartment doors are also considered trip hazards and must be

removed.

Management will inspect your apartment and a" of the common areas prior to the inspection.

You have five (5) days from the date of receipt of this memorandum to correct the items listed

above. If Management has to remove or handle any of the issues described, you will be

charged.

We thank you for your cooperation. Please do not hesitate to contact the Management Office

if you have questions.

JH/lmh

"Fast and Furious"- U.S. backing a Mexican drug cartel?

*"Fast and Furious" about U.S. backing a Mexican drug cartel? - FOX19.com-
Could this be why authorities are supportive of certain illegal drug activity in state and federal subsidized housing complexes? Though the link above mentions the Bush and Obama administrations, authorities wouldn't clean it up during the Clinton administration either.
      Cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription drugs remain available inside the Rockland Place or Spring Gate Apartments in Rockland, Mass. So of course, the violence continues, sometimes with property management inside the over-staffed onsite rental office. Because Management keeps taking referrals and renting to those with a history of violating others, Rockland Place will never change for the better.  Management is known for allowing some people to stay without appearing on a lease.
     Several suspicious business listings, like *Rockland Self-Storage at 141 Martha Drive continue being published off and on since 1996.  By now we know it's really a subsidized residential building. This listing usually carries a phone number to South Shore Voc-Tech.  Authorities insist it was a typo in 1996.  However, new listings post the same number to this day.  Most business listings in the complex and logged 'disturbances' involve hushed illegal drug deals originating from some head-of-household residents who are granted special privileges other tenants do not have.
     While decent and affordable housing is a necessity, Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments, and other poorly managed, nuisance housing complexes, are detrimental to communities and to respectable human beings.  Where is the safe, decent, and affordable housing MassHousing, corporate partnerships, and HUD officials promise taxpayers and needy citizens with low-income?
*Maybe a write-in vote is necessary this time around....(Video Link)
****************************************
Rockland Place / Spring Gate Apts. Area Log
from July 1 - July 15, 2012
Sunday, July 1 - 6:05 p.m. Martha Drive, domestic dispute. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Disorderly conduct; resist arrest; malicious or wanton damage of defacement.
Monday, July 2 - 4:03 p.m. Hannah Way, disturbance.
5:40 p.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Drive, assist citizen.
9:27 p.m. Martha Drive, assist other agency.
10:58 p.m. Martha Drive, larceny.
Tuesday, July 3 - 12:16 p.m. Market St., assault. Arrest: Eric Johansen, 184 Manzella Court, Rockland. Charge: Assault and battery
12:19 p.m. Hannah Way, larceny.
5:00 p.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Drive, motor vehicle accident, leaving the scene.

Wednesday, July 4 - 4:18 a.m. Market St., assault and battery.
1:13 p.m. Martha Drive, larceny. (no building or apt. number provided)
Thursday, July 5 - 4:43 p.m. Pleasant St., attempted murder. Arrest: Lee Metcalf, 89 Pleasant St., Rockland. Charges: Domestic assault and battery; rape; attempted murder; threat to commit crime; intimidate witness.
9:05 p.m. Pacific St., domestic dispute. Arrest: Donna Stone, 11 Pacific St., Rockland. Charges: Assault and battery/domestic abuse; disorderly conduct; intimidate witness; assault and battery on a police officer.
9:58 p.m. Hannah Way, domestic dispute. Arrest: Jason Levangie, 59 Bradley Road, Weymouth. Charges: Assault and battery/domestic abuse; operating after revocation of license.
Friday, July 6 -- 10:16 a.m. Martha Drive, disturbance.
Saturday, July 7 - 1:05 p.m. Hingham St., breaking and entering. Arrest: Kevin Farmer, 215 Market St., Rockland. Charges: Warrant service; breaking and entering daytime for felony; disorderly conduct; resist arrest.
8:47 p.m. Hannah Way, disturbance.
Sunday, July 8, 2012 - 10:35 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance-loud noise.
Monday, July 9, 2012 - 5:47 a.m. Market St., warrant arrest.
6:34 a.m. Martha Drive, assist other agency. Arrest: Rockland male on charge of warrant service.
5:54 p.m. School St., suspicious person. Arrest: Charles Haywood, 92 Everett St., Rockland. Charges: Possess to distribute Class A drug; possess Class E drug; possession of a dangerous weapon.
9:53 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance.
9:59 p.m. Union St., threats.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - 9:29 p.m. Ice House Woods Lane, larceny. Arrest: Luke Leonard, 14 Ice House Woods Lane, Rockland. Charges: Breaking and entering daytime for felony; larceny over $250.
10:25 p.m. Martha Drive, check well being.
11:02 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance-loud noise.
11:26 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance-loud noise.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 12:13 a.m. Martha Drive, disturbance.
8:59 a.m. Leisurewood Drive, check well being.
10:39 a.m. Domigan Drive, breaking and entering. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Breaking and entering daytime for felony; disturbing the peace; resisting arrest; distribute Class D drug; drug violation near school/park. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Breaking and entering daytime for felony; disturbing the peace; resisting arrest. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Breaking and entering daytime for felony; disturbing the peace; resisting arrest.
1:47 p.m. Beech St., suspicious person. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Breaking and entering daytime for felony; resisting arrest; disorderly conduct.
6:10 p.m. School St., motor vehicle stop. Arrest: Sean Flynn, 39 Nash Road, South Weymouth. Charges: Possess Class B drug; no inspection/sticker.
7:23 p.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Drive, disturbance.
7:51 p.m. Market St., breaking and entering motor vehicle. Arrest: Elvecio Carneiro, 21 School St., Rockland. Charges: Assault and battery domestic abuse; intimidate witness; malicious or wanton damage or defacement; threat to commit crime; malicious damage to a motor vehicle.
8:34 p.m. Martha Drive, domestic dispute. Arrest of Rockland male on charge of: Warrant service.
Thursday, July 12, 2012 - 4:41 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance-gang. Arrest of juvenile on charges of: Intimidate witness; assault and battery.
6:52 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance. Arrest of juvenile on charge of: Intimidate witness.
Friday, July 13, 2012 - 10:39 p.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Dr., motor vehicle complaint.
Sunday, July 15, 2012 - 8:59 a.m. Martha Drive. Arrest of juvenile on charge of: Assault and battery domestic abuse.
    In late July, another reported stabbing took place on Martha Drive; and, in early August, another early death.

Updates in Area of SpringGate Apts.

Following are just some of the updates and reports of Rockland Police in and around the subsidized SpringGate Apartments on Hannah Way and Martha Dr. in Rockland, Mass.  Property managers of Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apts. claim they hold head of households responsible for lease compliance and screen for good tenants. However, similar to the ads they run to rent apartments, their claims are often deceptive.

Friday, July 20, 2012 afternoon: Police called again to 93 Martha Drive at least 4 different times throughout the afternoon over domestics and loud disputes involving two different apartments.
  9:00 p.m. 51 Hannah Way, alarms sound, smoke reported in second floor hallway. Residents evacuated.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 5:37 p.m. Martha Drive, disturbance
Thursday, June 14, 2012 3:02 p.m. Martha Drive, larceny

Friday, June 15, 2012 10:54 p.m. Martha Drive, domestic dispute
11:33 p.m. Hannah Way, suspicious person.

Sunday, June 17, 2012 approximately 1:00 p.m. Det. James Casper and Lt. Nick Neoli to 105 Market Street, apartment 13. Heroin, guns, ammunition discovered.
1:36 p.m. Market St., drug violation. Warrant arrest: Robert Hackett, 4 Ice House Lane, Rockland. Warrant charges: Warrant service; possess Class A drug, subsequent offense; distribute Class A drug, subsequent offense; drug violation near school; possess Class E drug; resist arrest.
2:40 p.m. Martha Drive, domestic assault and battery. Arrest: Brandon Swimm of Plymouth. Charges: Assault and battery on someone that is pregnant; domestic assault and battery.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012 6:00 a.m. Martha Drive, malicious damage to a motor vehicle.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 10:15 a.m. Hannah Way, disturbance. Warrant arrest of Rockland male.
1:16 p.m. Hannah Way, disturbance.

Saturday, June 23, 2012 1:14 a.m. Hannah Way, check well being.
  1:41 a.m. Hannah Way, property found.
11:28 a.m. Martha Drive, missing person.
  5:34 p.m. Martha Drive, missing person.

Friday, February 3, 2012  7:06 p.m. Hannah Way, sex offense; detective follow-up.

Trouble Continues at Rockland Place/SpringGate

July 10, 2012, between10pm and 11:59pm:    Rockland Police were called to 93 Martha Drive four different times. First call involved a loud party at 93D.  Second call to police was involving another apartment in the same building for a loud disturbance. Third call involved an allegedly intoxicated woman shouting on the porch of 93E Martha Drive to a crowd of neighbors with threats of a fight. When police arrived the upset woman was advised. Police left and returned around 15-minutes later regarding the same tenant who was out of control in the hallway. All the while an adult male from 92D Martha Drive was creating a disturbance with revving the engine of his vehicle, speeding, and squealing his tires from Martha Drive to John Dunn.

July 11, 2012, morning hours:  Police were chasing alleged armed robbery suspects around the Spring Street area and then continued their search in the woods surrounding SpringGate Apartments, which has always been a convenient place to hide out and evade police.

With new corporate partners, a name change, numerous rent increases, and years of receiving housing tax credits and other monies, property management and government agencies continue to fail the decent tenants residing along Martha Drive and Hannah Way in Rockland, Massachusetts. The pattern of renting to, and protecting those involved in criminal activities is a habitual pattern at this subsidized housing complex. Management prefers evicting residents who report crime on this nuisance property before ever evicting those involved in it.

Coercions Unlimited

For residents residing at Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments from 2005-2009, you may recall being threatened with eviction and coerced by property management into signing a document, giving them and all their corporate affiliates permission to share whatever information they decide to create and share about you. There was no expiration date on their form and your signature may have been obtained illegally.  For those of you who signed, it is strongly suggested you revoke all permissions by writing a letter similar to the one below, and forwarding it to Strategic Information Resources and the Property Manager.  Mail your letter certified, return receipt requested.
From:___________________________________________
_______________________________________________
To: Cornerstone Corporation, First Hartford Corp, FHRC

and all affiliated persons, partners, and companies

Janet Hamilton, Property Mgr.
      Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apts.

52 Hannah Way - Rockland, MA 02370-2510

cc: Strategic Information Resources, Inc.

155 Brookdale Drive - Springfield MA 01104

Tel:  413-736-4511 / Fax: 413-733-1064

To Whom It May Concern:

     This is to notify your office that I immediately revoke all permissions and authority for Cornerstone Corporation, First Hartford Corp., Strategic Information Resources Inc. and any affiliated persons/companies to develop, give, receive, or utilize any and/or all information about me.  I will hold any and all person(s), companies, credit reporting agencies, or other providers liable for unauthorized use of my information.

     I only grant Management/Owner of Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments permission to perform any necessary Criminal Background History and Credit History check for housing purposes only. 

Signed____________________________    Date:  ________________

One Week of Some Reported Events

Rockland Police Calls Around Spring Gate Apts.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

2:43 a.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Drive, suspicious motor vehicle

11:59 a.m. John A. Dunn Memorial Drive, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon

Saturday, May 5, 2012
1:07 p.m. Martha Drive, domestic dispute

8:26 p.m. Hannah Way, disturbance.

Thursday, May 3, 2012 
11:45 a.m. Hannah Way, sex offense.

Monday, April 30, 2012
2:13 p.m. Martha Drive, assault and battery. Arrest: Lindsay Reed, 51 Hannah Way, Rockland.  Charges: Assault and battery; threat to commit a crime.

A Notice on Common Sense

FIRE SAFETY ALERT

• Residents are asked to use some caution and common sense when it comes to landscaping mulch.
• Be aware of this fire safety issue.
• Smokers, discard your smoking materials properly.

Just this week, the above notice was posted on the outside entrance door of each building at Spring Gate Apartments by FHRC Management.
     Considering all the major safety issues that need addressing at this subsidized housing complex in Rockland this notice is almost laughable.  At Rockland Place / Spring Gate, people fire guns, workers torch buildings, live-ins get high and commit extreme acts of violence, and unsupervised children set fires.  These are some of the same people this property manager expects to use caution and common sense when it comes to discarding lit cigarettes into landscaping mulch. Makes me wonder where Management's common sense disappearred to.... Perhaps it's under all of their mulch?
     Oh yes, Management's fire safety alert notice reminds me of Chapter 186, Section 21 of the Massachusetts General Laws. It's just another law Rockland Place dba Spring Gate violates. This particular law reads: The landlord or lessor of any residential or commercial property, upon the written request of any tenant or lawful occupant, of any code or other law enforcement official or of any official of the municipality in which the property is situated, shall disclose in writing within fifteen days of such request the name of the company insuring the property against loss or damage by fire and the amount of insurance provided by each such company and the name of any person who would receive payment for a loss covered by such insurance. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars. A waiver of this section in any lease or other rental agreement shall be void and unenforceable.
     Considering this corporate landlord hasn't had to comply to their annual lease agreement while receiving subsidies and housing tax credits, I'll just bet they're shaking in their boots!

The Wonderful Web They Weave

....It’s not enough to simply proclaim that Justice officials will do the right thing.  You need to know that they are making decisions that don’t have ethical entanglements. He argued that conflicts arise “when a private lawyer enters government service and a matter comes before him affecting his former law firm or its clients.”.... 
     This is only a portion of an editorial I just read on the Forbes website. I am convinced 'ethical entanglements' and 'political favors' are a large part of why some corporate managers and partners of HUD housing complexes, including those at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts., have been allowed to violate people, laws, and The Fair Housing Act. 
The editorial was written by Peter Schweizern and published on May 7, 2012. http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2012/05/07/obamas-doj-and-wall-street-too-big-for-jail/

AFFORDABLE HOUSING REWARDS

Robert Covelle, the embattled executive director of the Medford Housing Authority, is leaving his post a year after officials began to investigate allegations of favoritism in hiring and contracting under his leadership. Some of the allegations include:  attempts to get jobs and subsidized housing for insiders, the disappearance of thousands of dollars worth of salvaged copper from a housing authority demolition site, and allowing the hiring of a maintenance worker who had previously been convicted of a sex crime. In addition, federal inspectors from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development concluded last month that the agency under Covelle’s stewardship paid $1.3 million to a dozen contractors without following federal contracting rules. For more go to: http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/05/16/embattled-medford-housing-chief-robert-covelle-resigning/gXlUFaWQJEWPiSiZ9HdgSM/story.html?p1=News_links