You Ask We Investigate: Moldy Apartment Sparks Investigation" />

You Ask We Investigate: Moldy Apartment Sparks Investigation

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By Chuck Harmer

KSFY Action News received a call from a viewer who wanted us to take a look at her apartment complex. She says there's mold in some rooms and the fire escape isn't safe for those with disabilities.

"It tears me up. To think that if this building catches on fire they can't get out. Because the fire doors lock all of the exits are push, push to exit and a lot of these people are in wheelchairs," said Pat Lamb. Pat contacted us because she feels the Greenway Apartments she's living in isn't safe for some of the residents. In some rooms like Sheila's the plumbing is held together with duct tape and clearly there's mold too. She's tried to have someone fix the problems, "I don't know where else to go. I've gone to the Mayor's office, I've gone to HUD, I've gone to Housing."

Pat isn't the only one concerned. She says a lot of residents are concerned including Douglas Reiners. "Things get swept under the rug here and I'm getting tired of it," said Reiners. He adds, "I want to be treated like an American. I try to obey the laws and I expect everybody else too."

There were some places our investigation couldn't get to but detailed photos from Pat and other residents show that mold is a common occurrence at the Greenway Apartments where Pat resides because she doesn't have the money to go anywhere else.

"It's not an option. I don't have a down payment for another apartment... I can't afford to move. I'm on low income for a reason," said Pat.

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Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:46 AM Pat wrote ...

I do not want a lawsuit I just want it fixed and people to stop getting sick we deserve better what would you do if this was your family

Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:41 AM Anonymous wrote ...

and this has been going on for years so why wasn't it fixed before we have been promised patio doors since 2007 and I have the proof

Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

They cannot exit to their patio because the sidewalk has so many holes that they can't go out them also there are some that are locked by pieces of wood

Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:37 AM Pat wrote ...

The only door that the people in wheelchairs can open is the front door by pushing it the other doors you need to lean forward and unlock by pushing it they are security doors

Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:34 AM Pat wrote ...

About the parking lot comment. Did you see the way he was bouncing in his chair? Also the door he entered is a handicap door where you just push the button

Sunday, Jul 5 at 11:33 AM Pat wrote ...

I am a veteren 100% disabled from the govt and cannot work who gave you your medical degree Icannot move because of the cost and my lease

Sunday, Jul 5 at 8:30 AM Bite me wrote ...

What a typical slum lord! These residents need to stop paying rent and contact the ACLU. This is exactly how the politicians of Sioux Falls still governs in Dark Ages! So instead of Munson's crew taking action to protect us, he will wait, let the property become condemned and purchase it with tax payers money.

Sunday, Jul 5 at 1:50 AM anon wrote ...

did you happen to notice the handicapped resident fly right on by that 'cracked hard to get around on' parking lot, and go right on in that hard to open door? if the governor and HUD services aren't helping, do you think maybe there is a reason? if your living in a low income building, i hope you don't expect the marriot. you appreciate what your given, or work for what you want. you want to find an easy lawsuit maybe you should have all your facts straight before hand.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 11:31 PM Paul Endres wrote ...

My father has 9 4plex building and they are gone through with a fine tooth comb and redone to be like brand new places everytime someone moves out. And if your a landlord you should take a look at what needs to be done and the cost of everything and think b4 you act. If you cannot keep up the place do not get involved. And i dont care who or what you are everyone should be treated equally not cause of money or disability. Everyone is human no matter what.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 11:27 PM Paul Endres wrote ...

Well to be honest mold is the most definate factor here. I lived in a place in Watertown where the landloard did not worry about fixing nothing he was more interested in collecting a check. The mold in the the bathroom was bad. It got me so sick i was down and out could not work for a month. And as far as people just getting up and moving well its not that easy when u sign a lease especially when your dealing with in this case and like thousand others SLUMLOARDS.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 10:53 PM Redenius again. wrote ...

This is to 2:38 PM Anonymous, I would know a lot about fat lazy slobs, our country is full of them and your probably one of them. I have met quite a few along the way in Tech School to my time in the Army. Most American make me sick because they are to lazy to take care of themselves and believe someone owes them some thing for being born in this country.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 4:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree on the wheelchair part. But the people without wheelchairs can probably go out and get a job and save some money for a new place Right??? And have you ever realized there a people living on the streets that are homeless with disabilities? Your very lucky to have a roof over your heads .

Saturday, Jul 4 at 3:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The accusations are true. Why don't you go their an live. Im sure you couldn't handle being in a wheelchair not able to move your legs plus notbeing able to reach the cubboards and try to cook food for your self.It wasn't my chouce to end up in a wheelchair.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 3:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

If you were in greenway apartments then you were able to WALK. The people in wheelchairs cant push them when the fire alarms goes off. What we are suppose to push the doors open with their legs. What about those who can't get them selves in or out of bed on their own. They need to fix the problems that eexsist.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 1:41 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I've been to the greenway apartments, and there fire exists are not locked. They open right up. These people need to get there stuff together before they go on public news and make false accusations.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 1:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Sounds like Redenius knows a lot about being a fat lazy slob.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 12:36 PM Redenius wrote ...

Here's one for you. If you don't like it MOVE or fix it yourself. For the person who wants to be treated like an American, what does that mean? If you want to be treated like an American then move out. You have the freedom to live where you chose, like an American. Just because you are an American does not mean you should be treated in a certain way. I will guess that the people in this article are fat-lazy slobs who depend on the Gov for everything because working for something is too hard.

Saturday, Jul 4 at 7:05 AM Anonymous wrote ...

If HUD and others looked away, then THEY need to be investigated!

Friday, Jul 3 at 7:57 PM Nina wrote ...

lol.. how does an american get treated? i'm an american and i always get the short end of the stick. So good luck on that:(

Friday, Jul 3 at 3:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Something needs to be done.If it is NOT safe it needs to be fixed. Thse are peoples lives. Why do people look away.

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