safe place, not

Palo Alto Plaza Apartments

In addition to the bike, my bigger transportation was an S2000. Unfortunately, it was broken into (slashed soft top) a couple of days ago right here at my apartment's gated garage. Among other things, I reported this to the manager in the lease office. As it happened on the weekend, I left the manager a voicemail. Today I caught her in the yard and spoke to her about the incident since I never heard from her.

I remembered last year just several spots down from mine, another car's window was shattered. Police had been on scene when I got to the garage. I wanted to inform the head office my incident so they can keep track of it, but this manager answered that they are not responsible for the incident and can't do anything about it. She hoped that it doesn't happen again.

While I agree we can't prevent vandalism (wouldn't it be nice), it doesn't mean we do nothing. These incidents should get reported to the office, in additional to the authorities, so they can track the data and see if it's really bad comparing to the neighborhood. Installing cameras pointing at the garage entrances and public areas, for instance, and having on foot patrol would deter thieves from coming in an out freely. The improved statistics will serve a even better advertising tool to attract prospective tenants. Ultimately, it's everyone's responsibility to prevent crime. If people's properties are broken into (car being the easiest), people start to move out. Especially of the best interests of the apartment office, they maintain a safe and secure community to retain tenants.

Instead, what she said seems like the management office doesn't even want to try and totally gave up, as if protecting tenant's property should not have been their concern. I just don't get the mentality. What was it supposed to mean she hopes it doesn't happen again? She hopes that some kid or adult will come to their conscience and decided to stop stealing? And our assets and properties are at the mercy of these criminals? Such a weak will. 

But I am out of luck. This happened to my car after I signed another year lease. A community can only be as good as the one manages it. Palo Alto Plaza Apartments in Mountain View sucks because the people who manage it only care about if your rent is paid on time (another story).