Community Services Division
Apartment Building Safety

APARTMENT BUILDING SECURTY

We are our brother's keepers. If we don't look out for others, who'll will look out for us?

This is especially true when it comes to crime, whether it is potential assaults or property crimes (theft or vandalism).

Know who your neighbors are and they should know you. Not only does it make for a better community, but it is also better security to know who should be on the premises.

Each of us can do our part to prevent crime before it happens by being alert and following the following suggestions throughout your building. Learn these tips and make them part of your everyday habits.

Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Don't leave it all to the manager or the police. By following these suggestions you can make your building a safer place in which to live. Security of the apartment building you are living in is only as effective as you make it, take action to make it as safe as possible.

SECURING YOUR APARTMENT

When the buzzer rings, always check the identity of the person seeking entrance before releasing the latch on the lobby door. Remember that the front door of your residence is the front door to the apartment block. Never allow anyone into the apartment block that you do not know. Refer them to the manager or caretaker.

Suspicious or unknown people trying to get into the building should be lead to the building superintendent, management or security. If you do not want to talk to them, then let the building superintendent, management or security know about these people immediately.

Never allow strangers to enter the building as you are leaving or entering in the apartment building. Be aware of anybody hanging around the door who looks disinterested but makes a dash to hold open the door after it has been unlocked. Make sure all outer doors are kept locked at all times.

Do not let canvassers into your building. They do not have the right to be in the building unless they are there for government elections, or for organizing tenants into a tenants association, where under the applicable laws, these people do have a right to be in the building.

Keep the door to your apartment locked at all times, even when you are at home.

Notify the manager when your suite will be empty for any extended period.

Make arrangements with a neighbor or the manager to receive deliveries if you will be away from your apartment. Do not leave notes on the lobby call board or your door indicating you are away.

Do not identify yourself on the callboard as being a female living alone. Use only the first initials to identify yourself – (i.e. J.S. Smith).

When moving into a new apartment, have your lock cylinders changed. Check with the manager first as permission is usually required.

Equip apartment doors with a wide-angle door viewer, and a good quality deadbolt lock with at least a 1-inch bolt. Secure sliding balcony doors with “Jimmy bars” and place a length of wood in the bottom track of the doors, making sure it fits snugly. This prevents entry via these sliding doors.

Install good-quality locks on all windows, especially those opening onto balconies, patios or rooftops.

ELEVATORS

Do not enter an elevator if you are suspicious of the occupant(s). Wait for the next one.

When in an elevator, stand near the control panel. In a difficult situation, push as many buttons as possible, particularly the alarm. Do not touch the emergency stop, as it stops the elevator, perhaps between floors. If a telephone is available, lifting the receiver automatically activates the alarm.

LAUNDRY ROOMS AND APARTMENT LOCKERS

Do not do laundry when you are likely to be alone. Try to arrange your laundry times with a trusted neighbor.

Do not store valuable property in your locker or storage area.

Report suspicious persons loitering in the vicinity of lockers to the manager or police.

PARKING AREAS

Be alert to vehicles or persons following you into the garage or parking lot.

Do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk. Leave the parking area if you encounter suspicious circumstances, and notify the manager or the police.

Lock your vehicle and remove high-value, portable items.

GOING ON VACATION

Inform the manager or a trusted neighbor of your departure and return dates, and leave a telephone number where you can be reached in an emergency.

Cancel all deliveries including your mail, or arrange to have a neighbor pick up newspapers and mail on a regular basis.

Use clock timers to activate lights and radios and give the impression that someone is home. Store valuables in a safety deposit box.

If you find a door window has been forced or broken while you were absent, do not enter your residence. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbor's telephone to call the police.

Let your neighbors know if you have been a victim of a crime. They may have noticed a suspicious person or vehicle and may be able to supply valuable information to the police.