Crime prevention techniques are as easy as 1-2-3...

1. Love Thy Neighbor. You might hate living next door to the rehearsal-happy members of local band “Throbbing Metal”, but you should think twice before reporting their screaming lyrics as a nuisance. If someone’s breaking in to your home and you aren’t there to do anything about it... wouldn’t it be nice to have those angst ridden rockers on your side?

An apartment community is just that... a community. Neighbors should watch out for each other. Get to know your neighbors and let them know that you’ll watch out for them if they do the same in return. Consider exchanging phone numbers and other contact information. You might even consider organizing a local tenant organization.

2. Insure your stuff. Many people are under the false impression that the landlord is responsible for anything stolen from their complexes. The landlord is responsible only for the building itself, NOT the possessions inside.

The value of Renter’s Insurance simply cannot be stressed enough. For a nominal fee of about $300.00 annually, your possessions can be insured in case of burglary or any natural disaster. If $300.00 seems too steep, at least engrave or mark and inventory all valuables. You should mark all valuable belongings from your T.V. to your car radio with your state abbreviation as well as your driver’s license number. This way, you’ll have a little bit higher chance of finding your belongings in the event of a break in.

3. You need to make sure that your property manager has fulfilled all of his duties. If he has not done one or more of the things on the list below, it is your responsibility as his tenant to make sure he does.

Management is responsible for:

• Providing tenants with a working deadbolt lock: If your door does not have one, talk to your landlord about installing one for you. Most landlords will install additional locks at the resident’s expense as long as an extra key is left with the manager.
• Re-keying or replacing locks between tenants: If your landlord has not done this, anyone who previously lived there or former employees could have a copy.
• Providing tenants with peep-holes in their doors
• Providing tenants with adequate lighting outside of their doors:
• Making sure landscaping isn’t overgrown: If the bushes are thick, an unwanted stranger could be lurking behind them.

Although management is responsible for maintaining some security items in Apartments, it is up to the tenant to ensure their own safety. Make yourself aware of crime prevention techniques and practice them.

Published: October 10, 2000

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