Security your safety under your “own” roof is challenging enough, let alone securing your safety under many others’ roofs. But this is exactly what we are talking about when discussing apartment or “multi-family” living.

Any number of challenges and concerns come to mind, but let’s simply look at a few as well as several possible strategies:

Shared Parking: Whether a parking garage or parking lot, continual vigilance must be exercised when coming and going, day or night. This is NOT the time to be talking or texting on your phone. Also take care of any who may approach you in the garage or lot when coming and going.

Hallways, Walkways, and Foliage: Anywhere there are turns, crevices, or ground cover, basically anywhere others can “hide” is cause for caution. As already stated, navigating such pathways is not the time for distractions talking or texting. If distracted, you may also not notice that person following behind that might decide to invite themselves into your apartment because “you” were too distracted to notice them behind you.

Gates: Too many put too much stock in “gated communities”, gated parking lots, or gated garages. Such obstacles pose a mere inconvenience to those truly seeking entrance. Waiting for someone else to leave, party hosts that leave the exterior gate propped open for guests, etc all negate the intent of property management to keep unwanted guests on the outside looking in.

Cameras and Patrols: Cameras are great for recording “what happened” but are rarely (if ever) monitored for what “is happening” in real time. A blinking light atop a camera only says the situation you are in is being recorded, not that someone sees and is coming to help. Patrols are a deterrent when around, but when they pass or are on another side of the property “you” are still vulnerable. These things are still great amenities, just do not assume that you are “safe” due to their mere presence on property. “YOU” are still your best bodyguard!

Unknown Dramas: People move into apartments for any number of ordinary reasons, but then there are others. Some who are escaping a previously violent home environment may find the reason for their escape tracking them down to “your” property. Some who may not have the most “model” of lives or lifestyles can also invite trouble or drama onto “your” property, even worse if they happen to be a nearby neighbor beside, across, above or beneath you. Some with anger or temper issues that escalate situations with neighbors can also cause concerns, depending to what extent they may manifest those anger issues.

For those living in such environments, awareness and education really are essential tools. At Trouble Spotters, we have instructors skilled in offering presentations to apartment communities to help address some of these issues and concerns. If in property management, simply reach out to one of our licensed instructors, or if a concerned resident, pass along our website and information to your property management to host such events onsite. We are here and happy to help!

Jeff McKissack, Founder
Trouble Spotters

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