Franklin Towers residents concerned about growing bed bug infestation

Franklin Towers residents concerned about growing bed bug infestation

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FBI AGENTS AND BOSTON POLICE SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY ON CAMPUS INVESTIGATING. AFTER LOSING POWER – SOME RESIDENTS IN FRANKLIN TOWERS ARE STILL LIVING WITH LIMITED ELECTRICITY… BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER CONCERN – BED BUGS. RESIDENTS OF FRANKLIN TOWER REACHED OUT TO EIGHT INVESTIGATES – LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. NORAH HOGAN ASKED PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY WHAT THEY’RE DOING TO SOLVE IT. <NORAH HOGAN> “BEDBUGS ARE HARD TO GET RID OF. THE EXTERMINATION PROCESS IS LENGTHY AND EXPENSIVE. SO, ONCE THEY SHOW UP IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING LIKE THIS ONE, IT SORT OF FEELS LIKE THEY’RE THERE TO STAY.” <BEVERLY COLLINS/RESIDENT> “I WAS UP ALL-NIGHT PICKING.” ACCORDING TO PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY – 21 UNITS WERE INFESTED AS OF AUGUST. THE COUNT HAS BEEN INCREASING STEADILY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. PHA SAYS THEIR WORKING WITH RESIDENTS TO EXTERMINATE THE PESTS BUT CAN’T DO THE TREATMENT UNLESS RESIDENTS PREPARE THEIR UNIT BEFOREHAND. <CHERYL SESSIONS/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY> “WE USE A PROFESSIONAL BUG COMPANY – EHRLICH AND THEY GOT A GREAT REPUTATION, AND WHEN THEY’RE ABLE TO DO THE TREATMENTS, IT’S VERY EFFECTIVE.” RESIDENTS HAVE TO MOVE FURNITURE AWAY FROM WALLS, WASH ALL FABRIC, AND BOX ANY BELONGINGS. FOR OLDER RESIDENTS – THAT’S A REAL CHALLENGE. <BEVERLY COLLINS/RESIDENT> “FRACTURED SHOULDER AND FRACTURED WRIST. AND I CAN’T DO ANY LIFTING.” AS THE PESTS SPREAD – RESIDENTS WITHOUT BED BUGS WORRY ABOUT THE SPREAD CONSTANTLY. <DAVID CASTON SR./RESIDENT> “IT’S ON EVERYBODY’S MIND. 24 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, YOU KNOW THAT IT’S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. AND UNTIL THEY GET MORE AGGRESSIVE ON GETTING RID OF THEM.” <NORAH HOGAN> “NOW, NOT EVERY APARTMENT IN THE BUILDING HAS BEDBUGS, BUT SOME RESIDENTS TELL US THAT THEY FEEL AS THOUGH IT’S ONLY

Franklin Towers residents concerned about growing bed bug infestation

“It’s on everybody’s mind 24 hours, seven days a week. You know that it’s not going to go away until they get more aggressive getting rid of them.”

After losing power, some residents in Franklin Towers are still living with limited electricity, but that’s not their only concern. Residents in the building reached out to 8 Investigates seeking answers amid a growing bed bug infestation.According to Portland Housing Authority, 21 units had active bed bug infestations as of August. The number of units affected has been increasing steadily over the past few months. Cheryl Sessions, the executive director of PHA says they’re working to rectify the situation. “We use a professional bug company, Ehrlich, and they’ve got a great reputation, and when they’re able to do the treatments, it’s very effective,” Sessions said. Residents have to prepare their units before they can be treated. That requires moving furniture to the center of the room, boxing all items, and washing all fabric, a process that can be challenging for older people with health concerns.”I’m three years post-op, fractured shoulder, fractured wrist and I can’t do any lifting,” said resident Beverly Collins, who uses a motorized wheelchair. Sessions said PHA offers assistance to renters who aren’t able to prepare their rooms for treatment, but according to Collins that hasn’t been communicated. As the infestation worsens, residents who don’t have bed bugs are constantly concerned about the spread. “It’s on everybody’s mind 24 hours, seven days a week,” said resident David Caston Sr. “You know that it’s not going to go away until they get more aggressive getting rid of them.”

After losing power, some residents in Franklin Towers are still living with limited electricity, but that’s not their only concern. Residents in the building reached out to 8 Investigates seeking answers amid a growing bed bug infestation.

According to Portland Housing Authority, 21 units had active bed bug infestations as of August. The number of units affected has been increasing steadily over the past few months.

Cheryl Sessions, the executive director of PHA says they’re working to rectify the situation.

“We use a professional bug company, Ehrlich, and they’ve got a great reputation, and when they’re able to do the treatments, it’s very effective,” Sessions said.

Residents have to prepare their units before they can be treated. That requires moving furniture to the center of the room, boxing all items, and washing all fabric, a process that can be challenging for older people with health concerns.

“I’m three years post-op, fractured shoulder, fractured wrist and I can’t do any lifting,” said resident Beverly Collins, who uses a motorized wheelchair.

Sessions said PHA offers assistance to renters who aren’t able to prepare their rooms for treatment, but according to Collins that hasn’t been communicated.

As the infestation worsens, residents who don’t have bed bugs are constantly concerned about the spread.

“It’s on everybody’s mind 24 hours, seven days a week,” said resident David Caston Sr. “You know that it’s not going to go away until they get more aggressive getting rid of them.”

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