MASON CITY – Neighbors in a senior living center in Mason City were at odds Saturday and again Sunday, leading to police visits both days and an eventual arrest.
An assault was reported at Shalom Tower #1, 304 3rd Street NE, on Saturday at about 6:00 PM. Officers responded to the above location and investigated the assault allegation by a neighbor. An adult male subject, James Robert Jacobson, was arrested for the crime and taken to the Cerro Gordo County Jail, where he was booked into custody. He was charged with serious assault, obstruction of emergency communications, and criminal mischief in the 4th and 5th degree.
According to person near the scene Saturday, it was a violent scene Saturday, that continued Sunday after Jacobson had been released from jail. He had been released on his own recognizance around noon Sunday, jailers told NIT.
Police were called back to the Shalom Tower #1 Sunday evening after 5:00 PM for another altercation between Jacobson and a neighbor. Both subjects requested police response.
“Yes it’s Jim in 205, tried to choke the guy in 206 just got out of jail and they are at it again,” the source told NIT Sunday night. “This Jim is drunk half the time and is mean… hope this deal gets him out of here… the 4th time cops had to see him.”
There was no immediate word on whether Jacobson was arrested Sunday or taken away for medical treatment.
Jacobson was found guilty in September of criminal mischief. He owes $495.00 in court costs, fines and charges to Iowa courts.
The Shalom Towers is a senior retirement apartment building that is a part of the Good Shepherd continuum of care. The Shalom Tower I is a HUD-subsidized housing project and consequently is very affordable to seniors on fixed incomes. It was built in 1969.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
I’LL BET YOU A DIME TO A DOG-TERD THIS IS BECAUSE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DEMANDED THE GOOD SHEPHERD ALLOW THESE NEW CLIENT TYPES.
RE: It not just elderly that live in these Towers anymore. People who are deemed disable live here also, and I know for a fact that drug abuse in running rampant in the Shalom Tower 1. It sickens me and it needs to be cleaned up.
If this is the case then clearly the living conditions are not safe and the environment in the building is not healthy for the Seniors that live there.
Knowing the Good Shepard there is no way they would allow this to go on unless the Federal Government was forcing them to.
@watchdog-I have to disagree with you a little bit. I have a ton of experience with Good Shepard and it is all about the money with them. They will do the minimum required to get the maximum amount they can. I have heard from a lot of older people who live there that it is not a great place. Lots of drug and alcohol abuse. One of the big arguments there is people still smoking in spite of the rules. Maybe this will focus attention on this and they will clean up their act a little.
@LVS
I understand and agree with the greed motive that the Good Shepherd may have. I wish that wasn’t the case but it makes sense.
Still, this couldn’t happen in HUD housing unless the Feds approved it. HUD (Federal Government) has to much control.
It’s a mess!
Once you take the federal buck in the form of rental assistance, energy, fair housing standards and all the other housing benefits, the Gub-ment plays the music and you dance to their tune. And you are bound by housing eviction laws at the State and local level that tie the hands of the landlord and favor the tenant.
Knowing the Good Shepard there is no way they would allow this to go on unless the Federal Government was forcing them to.
Watchdog, I also have to agree. The Federal Government now demands what the States and Institutions have to do. When Uncle Sam says you HAVE to admit these undesirables or else, what can they do? it’s getting more like Russia everyday, Thx to Obama. Many are getting an eye opener viewing the fact that they are being told, once again, they have to buy a certain insurance, even though the Constitution says they cannot do so. We are told what we MUST do and they don’t have to follow. Look at Pelosi, you have to pass it to see what’s in it!! Well she and her cohorts were right there opting out too. What’s fair for,the gander, is not fair for the goose. Amen!!
@Annie-do not forget there are two Towers. One is for general population and is income based. That is under government regulations and if they accept H.U.D. they have to let in anyone who qualifies. The other is assisted living and comes under different rules.
@LVS ???
I am not so sure. I worked for the Good Shepherd and was there when Shalom 2 was built. We had all the HUD hoops to comply with.
Unless the regulations have changed they are both HUD. In Shalom 2 they have had undesirables living there. I had a guy in there that was in his 30s and on drugs. Used to drag his bicycle up and down the elevator tearing everything all to hell.
@Watchdog-I hear you. I think they are required to take a percentage of title 19 patients. It is so expensive to stay in the assisted living or nurses home. I have a relative in I.O.O.F. and it cost her about $4,200 a month. It doesn’t take to burn through your savings at that rate.
Landlords Do Not Have To take federal housing subsidies, but once you do you pay the price. Just look at the “projects” in the urban areas, crime infested jungles.
@Anonymous-I believe that a lot of landlords take HUD because they are guaranteed their money and if the tenants destroy the property HUD will pay to fix it. Of course anytime you deal with the government there are penalty’s to deal with and having to take otherwise bad risk are part of it.
There might be snow on the roof……… but the fire is lit inside!
Old folks can get ornery. With a dash of booze and the sunset syndrome (that’s where seniors get real cranky in the late afternoon) I sure can see how things would turn violent.
The Good Shepherd aught to pick up a bus load of hookers on Hennipen Avenue in Minneapolis, turn em loose and put a smile on those old geezers faces. That should calm em down.
Well, it would be much cheaper than our courts, jails, and tranquilizers.
It not just elderly that live in these Towers anymore. People who are deemed disable live here also, and I know for a fact that drug abuse in running rampant in the Shalom Tower 1. It sickens me and it needs to be cleaned up.