The end to another school semester is approaching, and some students soon will be looking for new places to live for next fall.
At the top of most students’ “wish lists” for amenities in new locations is safety features.
However, many apartments in the area say they cannot provide safety to residents because of the legal problems that can arise.
“If anything happens to the resident after safety has been guaranteed, the resident can come back and sue the complex,” said Pocia Bernard, assistant manager at Sterling University Crescent on Burbank Drive.
Azalea Point, Bluebonnet Place Apartments, Brightside Place Apartments, El Cid, Fairway View Apartments, Sterling University Crescent, Tiger Plaza, University Commons and Varn Villa were contacted to find out what features they offered and why safety cannot be promised.
Most complex spokespersons said safety cannot be guaranteed, and therefore, many apartments do not publicize the features they offer.
Emily David, a psychology freshman, said, “I don’t understand why apartments can’t publicize their safety features and just make a disclaimer with them so they won’t get sued.”
David, who lives in a residence hall this semester, said her parents advised her not to get an off-campus apartment because of the lack of safety it provides.
Most apartments stated they provided alarms, gates around the complex, courtesy officers and well-lighted parking lots.
      However, three apartment complexes said they are not providing safety features for legal and economical reasons.
Fairway View manager Debbie Zumo said because of legal repercussions that may arise from promised safety features, her apartment does not offer any.
“We make no bones about the fact that we do not provide safety,” Zumo said.
A representative from El Cid said the complex has done nothing as far as safety is concerned. Located on Burbank Drive and less than one mile from Carrie Yoder’s house, El Cid said it has tried to receive funding from its parent company for safety features but has not been able to raise any funds yet.
Lana Johnson, Brightside Place Apartments manager, said Brightside Place is a “sitting duck” because of the lack of security measures.
Johnson said the complex is looking for a police officer to patrol the grounds and live in the complex for free.
The type of security Brightside Place is seeking is considered a courtesy officer.
University Commons and Varn Villa both employ courtesy officers but stressed the officers are not there for protection purposes. Both complexes said the officers are there to handle small disturbances and traffic problems that arise in the apartments.
Amy Wong, a mass communication junior and University Commons resident, said the courtesy officers add an extra element of safety.
“I think they should definitely try and put more security on guard because it helps me feel safer,” Wong said.
Another popular feature among students is gated complexes.
University House already offers a gated complex and Tiger Plaza is installing gates. Both complexes said the gates are not there to promote safety but instead are there to limit the flow of traffic through the apartments.
Chris Jacobs, a psychology senior, said apartments should take the extra step to ensure the safety of residents.
“I don’t think apartments really go out of their way to help residents. I don’t think they care,” Jacobs said.
Azalea Point and Bluebonnet Place were asked about safety, but both did not wish to comment because of legal concerns.