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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WESH) — Daytona Beach code enforcement has given Seaside Health and Rehabilitation Center 48 hours to address what officials described as a “life safety issue” involving residents’ windows.
The order was issued after WESH 2 started asking questions on Wednesday. Our cameras were there as officials posted a notice on the building, starting the clock on the deadline.
The initial complaint was received on July 26. The city says the initial investigation was delayed because the complaint did not contain all necessary contact information. On Aug. 10, an inspection of the room was done, and an additional walkthrough was made on Aug. 12.
One resident, who agreed to speak only if their name was withheld, said the facility’s windows were recently secured shut.
“A couple weeks ago, they came in. The maintenance lady was screwing everything shut, and I’m like, what are you doing?” the resident said. “And she said they ordered us to shut everything, lock everything down.”
The resident said the restrictions have left them feeling confined.
“I feel like I’m in jail, you know what I’m saying?” the resident said.
A frequent visitor who contacted WESH 2 said he was concerned about what could happen during an emergency, particularly because some residents have limited mobility.
“You got a lot of people who can’t move around that well,” he said. “And how are they supposed to get out if there’s a fire or there’s some other emergency?”
The complaint was submitted about a month ago by a resident, who said there had already been limits on how far the windows could open before they were completely shut.
A Seaside staff member told WESH 2 that the facility is working to address the issue and had no further comment.
“Thank you so much for doing that. So hopefully it will work,” the resident said to WESH 2’s Pamela Comme. “I really, I pray.”
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