Three Charged in Prostitution, Drug Bust at Englewood Senior Citizen Complex

Englewood police are stepping up their presence at a public senior housing complex after complaints led authorities to arrest two residents on drug and prostitution charges, authorities said. 

Fifth floor neighbors James Parham, 75, and Cheryl Chaney, 66, face charges for allegedly turning their apartments into a prostitution and crack den at the 152-unit Vincente K. Tibbs Senior Citizen Building. Police said Parham confessed to providing prostitutes, described as mostly crack-addicted women, to visitors and residents in the senior complex. Chaney is also accused of possession of crack cocaine 

Another woman, suspended city crossing guard 54-year-old Selma McDuffie, was charged with having a crack pipe, police said. 

Englewood police setup an undercover sting after residents raised concerns in March about drunks, unwanted guests roaming the building and condoms found in common areas. Police Chief Arthur O'Keefe said three officers, one from each shift, were assigned to monitor the complex and reach out to residents following the arrests in April.

O'Keefe said eviction proceedings are also underway and police have a list of people banned from the facility. 

City Police Officers Tracey Temple, Fabian Diego and Zellvon Lucas handed out business cards to residents with department-issued cell phone numbers offering seniors a direct way to report issues at the complex, O'Keefe said. 

The added law enforcement attention is likely to further stretch the city's busy police force. Several city officers have been injured during violent confrontations with suspects in recent weeks. 

"We're moving people all the time to fill holes," O'Keefe said. "It's very fluid."

Still, O'Keefe said controlling crime at the complex was a priority for his department. 

"I have no intention of making this a bandaid," he said. 

Englewood's federally funded housing authority does not provide private security. City Housing Authority Executive Director Maria Iwano did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday afternoon. 

Iwano told the Record the facility once had a security guard, but cuts to federal funding forced the agency to eliminate the position. 

Other housing agencies in Paterson and Hackensack pay for police protection. Some larger agencies use their own security departments. 

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