Physical altercations among residents may not be the top-of-mind concern for many multifamily residential community operators or managers, but these incidents can pose a significant security risk to these properties and their residents. Violent episodes can damage the reputation of the community, diminish residents’ trust in management, and lead to potential legal liabilities. When physical confrontations occur, they can expose a lack of control and a potential weakness in the security measures implemented within the community, deter prospective residents, and affect the occupancy rates and the financial stability of the building or community overall.
The financial costs can stack up. Property damage leads to costly repairs. Insurance premiums rise in response to increased risks. Implementing robust safety measures represents an investment in stability. The returns are measured in reduced liability, lower resident turnover, and, most importantly, residents who feel truly safe and valued. The human costs make security a necessity, but the financial incentives make it an undeniable priority.
Apartment communities often choose onsite guards as a security solution, but in many cases, guards may not be the right fit. They have limited visibility, can only be in one place at a time, may not have sufficient training, or can even be put at significant risk themselves. In one recent incident in Florida, a guard was shot at 8 times after attempting to break up a fight at the community’s pool area between a group of teens.
Live video monitoring can be extremely valuable in a scenario like the Florida incident- when a situation escalates to a potentially dangerous one, remote video monitoring operators can contact local law enforcement to intervene rather than putting onsite staff at risk. Take a look at the video below to see how a violent altercation can be safely managed without any onsite staff involvement.
At approximately 1:34 a.m., Stealth security operators monitoring a California apartment community noticed suspicious activity between a group of individuals that quickly escalated into an altercation. The security professionals immediately contacted local police dispatch, who sent officers to respond right away due to the nature of the incident occurring. Responding officers could be seen making contact with the individuals and engaging with them separately, at one point placing two different individuals into handcuffs before ultimately releasing one. Another was taken into a paramedic’s vehicle.
Help Ensure a Safe and Secure Residential Environment with a Proactive Security Solution
Take a proactive security approach with Stealth’s live video monitoring solution, designed to meet the unique safety needs of your community. Unlike reactive measures that respond only after criminal, suspicious, or other unwanted activities occur, Stealth’s proactive solution employs a blend of advanced video analytics—surpassing mere motion detection—to accurately identify activities, alongside a team of skilled security professionals overseeing the surveillance in real time.
With this system in place, operators have the capability to activate onsite alarms, often leading to immediate dispersal of unauthorized individuals. Should the alarm warnings be dismissed or ignored, Stealth’s security professionals can immediately notify local police dispatch, providing them with live updates and descriptions of suspicious or criminal activities. This typically facilitates an expedited response from law enforcement.
As demonstrated in the above video, law enforcement officers frequently reach the scene before a scenario can escalate further, causing damages or increasing liability risk. This timely intervention in domestic disturbances, and prompt apprehension of suspects before evasion, can significantly enhance the overall security outcome.
Interested in a customized, cost-effective security solution for your property that could potentially reduce your security expenses by up to 60%? Contact us for further information or to arrange a consultation with a multifamily residential security specialist today.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
