If you have recently moved into a new Alexandria apartment, you have likely surveyed the surrounding area to see how safe your new home is. Even if you live in a gated community with security, there are a few common sense things you can do to ensure that you won’t have any problems in the future.
The first thing you can do is to see how good the lighting is in the public areas right outside of your front door and in front of your building. If bulbs are burned out, make sure you report them to the office or to the landlord that is in charge of repairing them. A surprising number of security problems happen when we walk from our cars to our apartments, and it can be especially bad if that area isn’t well lit.
Second, evaluate the locks on your door and see if you are allowed to install your own security locks if you feel that they are necessary. Many leases allow for you to install a chain or another set of locks, as long as you give your landlord or the office at your apartment complex a key. It is extremely important that you ask before you install any security devices on your own.
Finally, introduce yourself to your neighbors, even if it is only for a quick second. It is always a good idea to know those folks who live around you, especially if you are moving into a completely new area. It helps keep crime down and awareness at a high level.
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Everyone should ask the management about incidents of crime on the property. Gauge the response as helpful or evasive. Managers may have a file of incidents but those would only include those that are reported directly to them. A murder could happen in an apartment unit and they not have record of it.
Check the website of your local police department. Most have crime stats published. You can search by address.
Knowing your neighbors is not enough. Apartment properties attract crime because they are a target rich environment. Educate yourself before you rent.
Pat Murphy
LPT Security Consulting
Houston, Texas
I am having a problem with the maintenance staff in my apartment building. They are two brothers and I have had some very personal items missing. When I requested that no one enter my apartment without advance notice to give me opportunity to be present, I only aggravated the problem because they have know made a game of it. There has been instances of leaving cigarette butts (no smokers), leaving my freezer ajar (to cause food to thaw), too many instances that if I was only Half Right in suspectling them it would be harrassment. I have been there for less than a year and they have been with the building for several so the alliance of the owner is with them.