Best Apartment Assault Victim Attorney Tag Archives

September 20, 2018

Apartment Crime Watch: Residents Fight Back

ApartmentCrime-300x200 While apartment complex owners and property managers are ultimately responsible for the safety and security of tenants and their guests, residents can take precautions to protect their families and neighbors.

The Richardson Police Department urges tenants to start or join an apartment community watch:

Why Do Apartment Residents Need a Crime Watch?

Predators enjoy relative anonymity due to large numbers of people coming and going.
Residency is usually short-term, and tenants develop no real sense of responsibility for the property.
Residents in gated communities can develop a false sense of security. Carelessness abounds.
Residents often leave security issues to others, not wanting to get involved.
Criminals who feel unthreatened will come back for more.

What Can Residents Do to Take Control of Their Communities?

Organize and utilize an Apartment Crime Watch program.
Criminals like to blend in, but they should feel threatened, surrounded by so many windows, balconies, doors, and eyes.
If residents do not take control, the criminals will! Be protective.It is YOUR HOME!
Challenge suspicious behavior by watching and reporting to police.
Look and listen out windows.
Sit on your balcony and be seen. Be territorial! It is your home! When away, make your unit look and sound occupied.
Guests should respect the residents, the property, and behave responsibly.
Call police first to report crimes in progress, crimes already committed, or breaches of the peace.
Inform your property manager of any incidents the next business day.

For more apartment resident safety tips and community watch information, visit RPD.

Apartment Resident Rights and Owner Responsibility

Apartment residents and guests have a right to be safe and secure while on the premises. By law, apartment owners and management companies have a duty to protect residents from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment complex owner have knowledge of prior crime on or near property, they have a duty to implement security precautions to protect residents and deter future crime.

The Murray Law Firm encourages all apartment community owners and managers to work with their local law enforcement and to take a pro-active approach to property safety.

August 2, 2018

Crime Ridden Apartment Complexes: What Prospective Tenants and Current Residents Need to Know

by The Murray Law Firm

ApartmentCrime-300x200

Apartment owners have a responsibility to protect their residents from violent crime, sexual assault, and foreseeable harm. Unfortunately, owners all too often fail to implement and/or maintain critical security measures, leaving residents and their guests vulnerable. Further, in an effort to attract new tenants, unethical landlords will fail to warn prospective tenants of a criminal history on the grounds and even within their prospective unit.

My First Apartment warns:

“While most prospective tenants focus on size, price, location and charm when looking for an apartment, it’s easy to miss checking out another important factor: its criminal record. Believe it or not, an apartment with a background of crime is more common than you think, and can have a huge impact on future tenants….Tenants who have moved into apartments where prostitution or drug dealing took place may face both unsettling and dangerous futures in their new home. With unsavory strangers loitering around their apartment and knocking on their door looking for the previous tenant, feelings of privacy and safety can be compromised.”

Before You Move In

Research Crime on and Near Property: Speak with local police and potential neighbors to get an accurate idea of crime on property and in the surrounding area. Run the apartment address in search engines and crime mapping websites prior to move.
Observe Lighting and General Maintenance: Is there working lighting in all parking areas, elevators, stairwells, hallways, mail and laundry rooms? Does the overall property upkeep show a lack of concern by property management? Do you see any broken fencing or gates?
Check Access Controls: Do residents control entry to the property, buildings and common areas through a key, fob, or passcode? Does the property have working entry gates and, if so, do the gates allow outsiders to follow resident vehicles onto property? Do units have deadbolts on doors, locks on windows, and security bars on sliders? Are any fire escapes stored above ground, preventing intruders from reaching apartment? Will landlord replace all locks between tenants prior to move?

Victims of Apartment Violence: Know Your Rights

Apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes and to protect their families and guests. By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and their guests from any foreseeable harm. Should an apartment complex owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any sexual assaults, injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

You Deserve Justice. We Can Help.

The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims and families of negligent apartment security. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and we offer our legal assistance, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

June 14, 2018

Apartment Safety and Security: Resident Rights and Owner Responsibility

by The Murray Law Firm

ProperLighting-298x300 Apartment owners have a responsibility to protect their residents from violent crime, sexual assault, and foreseeable harm. Unfortunately, owners all too often fail to implement and/or maintain critical security measures, leaving residents and their guests vulnerable.

Proactive, Active and Reactive Security

Apartment owners and property managers should employ a variety of security measures to both deter and respond to injuries, violent crimes and sexual assaults. Bravo Three, a private security company, recommends apartment owners invest in a mix of proactive, active and reactive security measures.

“Proactive security is any measure that is set in place that will deter criminal activity before it happens….The most important aspect in all of security is providing a visual deterrent.” -Bravo Three

Are all parking areas, grounds, hallways, stairwells, and common areas well-lit?
Does landscaping minimize hiding places and provide strong sight-lines?
Is the perimeter secured with gated and/or guarded entry and fencing?
Are visible surveillance cameras positioned throughout property as a deterrent?
Are residences equipped with deadbolts, door viewers, window locks, and sliding door security bars?
Are pool areas secure after-hours with working locks and alarms?