Articles Tagged with Apartment Shooting Victim Attorney

Security cameraA Jefferson City Police Apartment Security & Safety report warns, “There are some criminals who prey specifically upon apartments and condominiums….You should be aware of, and periodically review, the security and safety of your apartment and apartment building. In rental buildings, the building owner and management are responsible for security.

Apartment complex owners and management companies may implement a variety of security precautions to meet this crucial responsibility. According to JCPD, this duty typically involves:

  1. ensuring that security systems meet or exceed security requirements for apartment buildings, such as deadbolt locks on doors, good lighting and window locks;
  2. ensuring that security systems provide reasonable protection for all residents — in their apartments and in common areas, such as parking garages and elevators;
  3. conducting regular inspections to spot and fix security problems, such as broken locks or burned­out exterior lights, and asking residents to submit security concerns or suggestions as part of continuing maintenance;
  4. dealing with complaints about dangerous situations, suspicious activities or broken security items.

The Jefferson City Police Department recommends particular attention to the following security measures:

  • Apartment Corridor & Balcony Doors

Doors are a burglar’s first choice of entry. Your apartment door should have a good deadbolt lock. One feature to look for is lock throw — the length the locking bolt protrudes from the door into the surrounding door frame when placed in the full lock position. Test this by locking the door while it is open — a good deadbolt lock protrudes 35 mm (1 1∕2 in.) or more when fully extended. A strong deadbolt lock also has a jimmy­ proof strike plate (the part of the lock assembly mounted in the door frame to receive the bolt). The strike plate should be secured to the door framing by screws at least 50–75 mm (2–3 in.) long. This ensures the strike plate is fastened to the structure of the wall and not just the door frame….Install a door viewer (peephole) in your entrance door, if you do not already have one.

Equip balcony doors with the same type of deadbolt locks recommended for corridor doors. There is special hardware to secure sliding balcony doors but a simple, effective, inexpensive solution is a sturdy piece of wood in the door’s track to prevent the sliding door from opening.

  • Windows

Make sure all windows close fully, that the locking hardware is in good condition and that it is easy to lock the window when you shut it. Ensure that a thief cannot lift a horizontal window out of its track.

  • Electronic Building Entry Systems

The front door entry system of most apartment buildings allows a resident to remotely let guests into the building. These systems are only effective if the front door locking system functions and intruders cannot take advantage of an open door to enter the building (known as piggy­backing).

  • Elevators & Lobbies

Elevators and lobbies should be well lit, day and night. Interior lighting in lobbies and corridors should not be on an accessible switch but should instead be controlled by a timer or photocell….Possible hiding places under stairwells should be eliminated. Elevators should be equipped with both a telephone and alarm or duress buttons connected to the resident manager’s unit and an outside central monitoring station. Lobbies should have glass doors, glass in exterior doors and/or side lights.

  • Laundry Rooms & Workout Rooms

Laundry rooms in apartment or condominium complexes can represent special security problems. Ideally, the entrance into laundry rooms should be from the exterior of the building and clearly visible. Laundry room door locks should require a tenant or owner key. The laundry room door should have a window in it. A duress alarm and/or telephone should be available in the laundry room. Interior lighting should be wired to remain on permanently during hours of operation. Residents should be encouraged not to use the laundry facilities alone or during late night hours. The same crime prevention or security recommendations applicable to laundry rooms are also applicable to common exercise or workout rooms.

View the complete JCPD Apartment Security & Safety report here.

We are here to Help. Contact us for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of apartment violence and security negligence in and we offer our legal expertise, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Shady Tree Apartments Achieves Gold-Level Status in Crime Prevention Initiative

Shady Tree Apartments Achieves Gold-Level Status in Crime Prevention Initiative

Local News

The Evansville police department has reportedly recognized its third gold-level participant in the department’s Crime-Free-Multi-Housing program.

Shady Tree Apartments, a 126 unit complex off North Fulton Avenue, is apparently the third rental community to be recognized for reaching gold-level status in the voluntary program. A group of townhomes and the Sunrise East complex, on Covert Avenue, have also achieved the recognition.

According to Evansville Courier Press, EPD joined the worldwide crime-reduction initiative in 2013. The program is a collaborative crime prevention effort, which educates apartment owners and managers on recognizing criminal activity, such as drug use, and making their communities safer for their residents. Safety and security improvements may include physical changes, such as installing outdoor lighting and window locks. The program also provides daily 911 activity reports on each property, so that owners and managers may take steps to address any issues in their communities.

“It’s working on the screening and tenant-retention process and working on the physical environment to make it a safer place,” Police Officer Kevin Corbin told Evansville Courier Press. “Obviously nothing is ever going to be 100 percent safe…but [the program] is saying [criminal behavior] will not be tolerated. And that ownership and management, along with the police department, are going to work together to keep the place safe for everyone.”

Media reports indicate there are over 500 properties currently participating in the program, including low-income and luxury residences, ranging from single-units and duplexes to large-scale apartment complexes.

“It doesn’t matter what your economic status is; you deserve to live in a place that is free of crime…,” Officer Corbin describes the police department’s expectation for Evansville residents.

Our Legal Take

The Murray Law Firm applauds the Evansville Police Department in their proactive approach to reducing community crime and the rental owners and managers, such as Shady Tree Apartments, who are taking action to improve the safety and security in their own communities.

By law, apartment complex owners and management companies are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment owner have knowledge of previous crime on or near property and fail to implement adequate security precautions to protect residents and deter future crime, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence.

The Murray Law Firm protects victims of apartment violence and security negligence. Many of our Clients have been severely injured in, or lost family members to, apartment complex violence, which may have been prevented. In their honor, we encourage all apartment owners and managers to work with their local police departments to improve the safety and security of their properties and deter crime. Perhaps, through such safety training and community cooperation, many other lives may be spared.

Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of apartment violence and security negligence. If you or a family member has been injured in an apartment complex, contact us now at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Huntsville Police Capt. Mark McMurray

Huntsville Police Capt. Mark McMurray

Local News

Police departments across the country are launching the Gold Star Property program, an anti-crime incentive program to assist apartment complex owners and managers in reducing violence and other crime in their communities. The program has currently found success in 44 states.

The Huntsville, AL police department is now hoping to bring this success to apartment communities in their city, having sent six officers for certification as instructors in the Gold Star program.

“These instructors will have classes throughout the year to teach apartment managers to keep their properties crime free,” HPD Capt. Mark McMurray announced to media.

“Sometimes management companies overlook the small things, making your property crime free means you need to put the proper locks on doors and windows, proper lighting in the parking lot, tenants need to sign a crime-free addendum that they will remain crime free, you need to do background checks on your tenants,” warns Capt. McMurray.

The HPD hopes to assist struggling property managers and owners with all types of crime, including loitering, drugs and violence. The changes needed to meet the Gold Star Property standards may be small, such as fresh paint and trash removal, or more complex. All property owners who complete the free program will be able to advertise as a certified Gold Star property.

Our Legal Take

The Murray Law Firm commends the Huntsville Police Department for taking the initiative to educate property owners on community safety and security. The Gold Star program is an invaluable training tool for apartment owners and managers to reduce and deter crime in their communities and it is our hope that every local apartment owner will take advantage of this free and potentially life-saving opportunity.

By law, apartment complex owners and management companies are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment owner have knowledge of previous crime on or near property and fail to implement adequate security precautions to protect residents and deter future crime, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence.

The Murray Law Firm protects these victims of apartment violence and security negligence. Many of our Clients have been severely injured in, or lost family members to, apartment community violence, which may have been prevented. In their honor, we encourage all apartment owners and managers to work with their local police departments to improve the safety and security of their properties and deter crime. Perhaps, through such training and community cooperation, many other lives may be spared.

Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of apartment violence and security negligence. If you or a family member has been injured in an apartment complex, contact us now at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

 

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