POLL: Mandated On-Site Security at Apartment Complexes?

William B Budner ESQ. July 11, 2012 at 06:12 pm

the police should do their jobs. just last night i overheard one of them say to a victim of an attack at a bar that they "were tired of coming down here". i guess the bars should handle violent customers on their own then?

Jessica Johnson Salamon July 11, 2012 at 07:13 pm

I'm confused as to what the point of on site security would be since, in the event of a crime in progress, they will still have to call the police.

Logan July 11, 2012 at 08:48 pm

In all honesty, Council is absolutely dumb if they approve that the city's apartments need to have security guards. Why are police going to apartments? They are probaly for disorderly conduct, or drugs or a noise complaint. Well, if it were for the first two (disorderly conduct or drugs), I would feel much safer to have an actual Officer there in case the event begins to get violent. As for noise complaints, if a City Officer is not the one issuing the noise violation, then the city should have NO RIGHTS to ANY monetary fee put in place for ANY apartment with an on premise Security Guard. While I am sure the noise complaint fees are small (probably $3,000 a year), how can the city be willing to lose even that when they want to build a new police station? If Council approves this measure, it shows lack of ability to control your own city and are privatizing your police force. Again if the Council approves this, I myself would gladly run for office and a Councilman and truly look out for the residents of the great city of Kent.

Pat July 12, 2012 at 12:33 am

You don't seem to realize that the citizens of Kent deserve their protection and the land lords all should have their own security--having a security officer in the complex will stop trouble. I am so tired of needing a patrol car and must wait as they cater to the students/

Teresa K. July 12, 2012 at 01:03 am

I'm for the onsite security... there should be stipulations, of course.. A certain amount of residents per officer. Does Kent have any p/t officers? Maybe they would like to work p/t security also at the complexes and the complexes PAY THEIR WAGES ( not their benefits, just wages). Complexes are mini cities within cities. Put all dem people together in a minimal square footage and we are ALL gonna have problems.
Whoever is allowing all these mini cities to go up, should be thinking ahead of how it is all going to be policed and monitored. As it is, the city is plowing ahead with build build build and never stopping to see what they are destroying in the process.

Teresa K. July 12, 2012 at 01:04 am

@logan: re: " if the Council approves this, I myself would gladly run for office and a Councilman and truly look out for the residents of the great city of Kent."
I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot. please, run for office.

Miss Tia July 12, 2012 at 02:44 am

what happened about the plan for kent to have inspections for all rental properties? or was that just student rentals? there are many slumlords in kent who do not properly maintain their rental homes and if they were inspected things could be discovered and brought up to code before a fire or other tragedy....i am not talking just student rentals either.....there are hard working people who rent their homes/apartments and they should be ensured the place is up to code instead of coming home and finding their home on fire and loosing most of their furbabies and almost everything they owned....
too many slumlords in kent have too much sway....same with the need for security---erie street, university, sherman, etc those college rental owners need to be held accountable and fined.....kent has a serious rental problem---for students AND non-students.....crack down on the houses make sure they are up to code; make the slumlords of college houses be liable fiscally for damages their tenants do; and stop allowing these huge mini cities be built for college students! and i think many of those complexes already HAVE security!! as people say, they still have to call the police to have charges filed.....there needs to be massive crack downs.....but would the city of kent be willing to do that?? i doubt that with how buddy buddy they've gotten with loot lefton lately.....

Wilburforce July 12, 2012 at 02:07 pm

On site security using off duty city, county, campus police officers would stop many noise, domestic dispute, property distruction and some break in problems.
The large apartment complexes that are using city police resources in excess, should be required to pay their own security bills.

Logan July 12, 2012 at 05:33 pm

Wilburforce - I understand what you are saying to an extent...however, the people living in the Apartment Complexes are residents of the city, and pay city income taxes which directly pay for a police force. The residents have every right as other Kent citizens to have complete police coverage. If there ever is a law mandating that large apartment complexes must have Security Guards, then their must also be an ammendum to that law stating that residents have a choice to notify a police officer or security guard. In that instance, if the police officer is notified, then he should be the person to take care of the situation. Otherwise, it seems unconstitutional to have the city pick and choose whom it is protecting.