Violent crime is spiking across Atlanta. Now, more than ever, it’s important that you’re able to feel comfortable entering your apartment building and that you feel safe in your own home. But how can you tell whether your apartment has enough security? Here are four things you can identify to get started.

Proper Lighting

The majority of violent crimes happen under the cover of darkness. In well-lit areas, victims and nearby witnesses are more likely to identify the attacker or potentially call for help to prevent a crime in progress.

A recent study examining public housing projects in New York found that well-lit areas saw a nearly 40% decrease in violent crime. If your apartment building is not well lit, you may want to contact the building managers as it could be a sign of negligent security.

Locks

The more locks between the front door and your apartment, the less likely you are to experience a break-in. Ideally, a building with proper security will have a lock on the front door that requires a key to open. Some areas may take this further and require a key for each floor, ensuring that tenants on the third floor don’t make an unwanted visit to guests below them, for example.

Cameras

A building with adequate security should have active cameras around the premises and the front door. Merely having cameras does not make the building more secure. Someone, ideally a trained security guard, should be watching the feed and be prepared to act if they see a crime in progress.

If your building does not have cameras or a security guard, it may be wise to reach out to your landlord, especially if you’re in an area impacted by an increase in violent crime.

If you were impacted by a crime that could have been prevented with proper security, we are here to help. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please call (888) 425-6070 or send us an email.