Catherine Johnson Court Residents Taking Back Their Home

Steve Schneiderman isn’t an actual police officer.

But the tenants of Catherine Johnson Court in Edgecliff say he definitely deserves a badge.

In just four months, the ex-Marine and single dad has spearheaded a turnaround of this troubled low-income housing complex on Fourth and Eastern. He’s kicked out drug dealers, tightened new tenant screenings, patrolled the complex nearly every night and convinced residents to take ownership in their home.

Barely a year old, the complex had gained a reputation for crime and violence. Children picked up hypodermic needles in the parking lot. Fearful parents, such as Cherie Canning, watched brawls, and even a stabbing take place right outside their doors.

“I felt really hopeless at times,” said Canning, a single mother of three. “I was scared for my children’s lives. At times, I was ready to move out.”

That’s changing. The owners, residents and new assistant manager are determined to clean up the building, which sits on a hill overlooking the Valley.

“People are fighting back now,” said resident Susie McNeal. “I think they’re getting tired of being scared.”

The problems at Catherine Johnson Court started not long after it opened last October, residents said.

Drug dealing, fights, burglaries, child abuse and lack of respect marred its mission of helping low-income families. Neighbors with police scanners grew to expect frequent police calls to the building.

The complex is managed by the non-profit Spokane Housing Ventures, which also is a minor partner in its ownership. The majority partner is an investment group, which earns tax credits for its investment.

Although it was one of the best housing deals in the area, fear and frustration led many tenants to move out. Canning helped run the building for a time, but found it impossible to control the tenants.

“I didn’t see a big change,” she said, “until Steve (Schneiderman) moved in.”

Some of the past managers had made the mistake of partying with tenants, and breaking the very rules they’d been hired to enforce. Schneiderman, an ex-marine with an Associates degree in law enforcement, had no problem confronting problem-causers. He has been the tough, but fair, presence Catherine Johnson Court needed, several tenants say.

Schneiderman doesn’t wait to hear about problems, he seeks them out. Late each night, when it’s quiet and easier to hear suspicious activity, he walks through the building, the parking lot and the property. Sometimes he’s out patrolling past 2 a.m.

Despite his part-time status, he knows the name of every kid in the complex. He has encouraged them and their parents to take an active role in improving their home.

“There’s a gal downstairs who’s now having a bible study every Thursday for students. Another gal offered to host AA meetings,” Canning said.

And last month, dozens of tenants showed up for a meeting that featured Sheriff’s Detective Steve Barbieri, who works out of the nearby SCOPE office. Catherine Johnson Court now has several of its own SCOPE volunteers, who will be involved in community policing of the building. McNeal is one of them.

“I’m the SCOPE house of the building now,” she said.

At one time, Schneiderman had hoped to go into law enforcement. He had to abandon those plans when he was diagnosed with spina bifida, a spinal disease that can eventually lead to paralysis.

He took the assistant manager job to make some extra money while he studies to be a high school math and science teacher.

“They were looking for someone who would treat the place like home,” Schneiderman said. His tenants say he’s done that. He is also the single father of two boys.

Schneiderman admits, the turnaround isn’t complete. He still carries a can of mace during his nightly patrols. He still watches certain units rather closely.

But residents say they’re starting to relax. They’re focusing on moving ahead, instead of looking over their shoulders.

Tenants such as Canning say they’re now glad they stayed.

“We’re truly blessed to be able to have a place like this,” Canning said. “I feel safer than I ever did before.”

, DataTimes