Apartment Security in Urban America

In 2000, America listed a total of 105.5 million households. Of that 105.5 million a full 15%, or 16 million are apartment dwellers in buildings of 5 or more units. There is no data to determine how many additional apartment dwellers live in smaller buildings. It is vital to their existence to have information on how to stay safe and secure even if home is an apartment. Most published data refers to "home" security where they talk about keeping hedges trim and making sure there is nothing for a burglar to climb on to access windows. While these are good "home" security tips, most apartment dwellers have no control over hedges or things to climb on, in fact, apartments have porches and railings and balcony's, all which serve to assist a burglar in breaching the security of apartments in urban America.

Bureau of Justice Statistics:
1. Households in urban areas were more likely to experience one or more crimes than suburban households and rural households in 2005.
2. 15% of urban households had experienced a property crime, compared to 10% of rural households.
3. Both violent and property crime declined between 1994 and 2005.

Unless you live in an apartment in urban America and are concerned about security, these statistics won't mean much. The fact that urban areas experience more crime than suburbs and rural areas is no surprise. While our prisons continue to grow, we have heard that crime is down in America, yet statistics will not give the security needed when living in an apartment in America. What are needed are logical tips as those given to homeowners.

Apartment security in urban America will differ depending on the city, the neighborhood and the building type, as well as apartment location within the building. There is no reason to have window security bars installed on third floor apartment windows. It defeats the purpose to have double and triple deadbolts on the doors of first floor apartments without window security bars. Security is dependent upon the dweller's personal taste, and level of safety required. Oftentimes, if a person "feels" safe, that is all they need. Unfortunately, when the security of an apartment in urban America is breached, the "feeling" of safety quickly disappears, and stays away for a long time regardless of how many security measures are taken after the fact.

Tips for apartment security in urban America

¥ Locks on exterior entrances. Make sure the landlord has the appropriate locks on all building entrances. Most cities have ordinances that require this and tenants can force the landlord to abide. At www.rentlaw.com, state by state lists of tenants rights are posted.

¥ Locks on interior entrances. Again, this is the duty of the landlord and the right of the tenant to demand that interior doors of all apartments have solid and secure locks installed properly.

¥ Window security.*The following security tip applies to basement, garden and first floor apartments; higher floor apartments only if child security is required.
Hopefully, the building has newer windows with locks for partial opening, if not, negotiations are in order to have security bars installed. Understanding that in most urban areas the landlords are not required to pay for this installation and permission is usually needed before installation. If the landlord will not, then it is up to the tenant to scrimp and save if necessary to have the bars installed. Security bar installation and expense may also be an option if the tenant prefers windows to open fully in nice weather.

¥ Visual impairment. Keep blinds and curtains closed at night when lights are on so the interior of the apartment is not visible from the outside. Our parents and grandparents knew this, however we;ve become, in some ways, a flasher and voyeur society.

¥ Lighting. Be sure to inform the landlord if any exterior lighting is out. In most urban areas, exterior lighting is required by city ordinance, so if there is none, make sure you pressure the landlord to install exterior lights on back porches, gangways, basement corridors and front entrances.

¥ Climbing accessories. *The following security tip applies to garden and first floor apartments.
Make sure garbage cans are not under the windows. Make sure there are no chairs or tables on the porch than can be moved under the windows -- especially if those windows don't have security bars.

¥ Be particular with visitors. Friends of friends of friends are strangers. Who they are and what is in their background is fairly unknown to the tenant and in most urban areas, should be avoided.

These are just a few tips for apartment security in urban America. Be sure to take the time to ensure your actual safety, not just "feeling" safe. Feelings come and go, and when your apartment security is breach, that safe feeling may go for good.