'She feels like a prisoner.' Seniors in Newark apartment struggle without elevator
Some residents said they have been taking the stairs, while others have no choice but to stay in their homes.
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Elderly residents in an apartment complex in Newark have been without an elevator for almost a week.
According to the seniors who live in Lincoln Park Towers, a subsidized housing complex, the years have taken their toll on the building.
"The elevator had been shut down recently. There was a little minor fire. Ever since, they haven't turned it back on," a resident in the building said on Saturday.
The 17-story building's last working elevator broke down earlier this week.
Some residents said they have been taking the stairs, while others have no choice but to stay in their homes.
"Now they have no access to going up and down. Some people are handicapped. Some people don't even have legs. My grandmother has a walker. She can walk, but she's 97 years old," said Malinda Melvin, whose grandmother lives on one of the building's top floors. "My grandmother said she feels like a prisoner."
One resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity told News 12 he's been bringing up necessities like food and water for other residents who can't get down.
A News 12 crew encountered several other people doing the same on Saturday.
"About 10 minutes ago, I was coming down, the ambulance had to take somebody upstairs," the resident said. "We need the elevators. We don't have young people over here. We have old people over here."
A representative for the City of Newark said they're aware of the situation and the Office of Emergency Management is providing assistance.
The company that manages Lincoln Park Towers told News 12 in a statement, "MMS Group is aware of the situation following a recent apartment fire in the building and is actively working on a solution. We have implemented additional support measures to ensure residents' needs are met, including expanded emergency response to assist residents entering and exiting the building as well as conducting regular check-ins."
