Is Your Apartment Safe? JCPD Apartment Security & Safety Report

A Jefferson City Police Apartment Security & Safety report warns, “There are some criminals who prey specifically upon apartments and condominiums….You should be aware of, and periodically review, the security and safety of your apartment and apartment building. In rental buildings, the building owner and management are responsible for security.”

Apartment complex owners and management companies may implement a variety of security precautions to meet this crucial responsibility. According to JCPD, this duty typically involves:

1. ensuring that security systems meet or exceed security requirements for apartment buildings, such as deadbolt locks on doors, good lighting and window locks;
2. ensuring that security systems provide reasonable protection for all residents — in their apartments and in common areas, such as parking garages and elevators;
3. conducting regular inspections to spot and fix security problems, such as broken locks or burned­out exterior lights, and asking residents to submit security concerns or suggestions as part of continuing maintenance;
4. dealing with complaints about dangerous situations, suspicious activities or broken security items.

The Jefferson City Police Department recommends particular attention to the following security measures:

• Apartment Corridor & Balcony Doors

Doors are a burglar’s first choice of entry. Your apartment door should have a good deadbolt lock. One feature to look for is lock throw — the length the locking bolt protrudes from the door into the surrounding door frame when placed in the full lock position. Test this by locking the door while it is open — a good deadbolt lock protrudes 35 mm (1 1∕2 in.) or more when fully extended. A strong deadbolt lock also has a jimmy­ proof strike plate (the part of the lock assembly mounted in the door frame to receive the bolt). The strike plate should be secured to the door framing by screws at least 50–75 mm (2–3 in.) long. This ensures the strike plate is fastened to the structure of the wall and not just the door frame….Install a door viewer (peephole) in your entrance door, if you do not already have one.

Equip balcony doors with the same type of deadbolt locks recommended for corridor doors. There is special hardware to secure sliding balcony doors but a simple, effective, inexpensive solution is a sturdy piece of wood in the door’s track to prevent the sliding door from opening.

• Electronic Building Entry Systems

The front door entry system of most apartment buildings allows a resident to remotely let guests into the building. These systems are only effective if the front door locking system functions and intruders cannot take advantage of an open door to enter the building (known as piggy­backing).