Measures taken to secure vacant student apartments during holidays

by Lacey Smith
Editor in Chief

During the Christmas and New Year’s break, precautions were taken to prevent vandalism. Carriage House secured its complex with a large gate that prevented anyone from entering. Owners installed a double-lock system on all apartments for additional security. Sean Miller / Scroll

As students journey to be with family and friends, they leave behind a wake of vacant apartments and, for those who fly home, abandoned cars.

Targets.

In past years, the vulnerable apartments have proved too tempting for vandals who use the holiday season to strike. Last year during the Christmas and New Year’s break, a total of 14 student apartments were vandalized.

So what measures are taken to protect apartments and vehicles while the students are away?

Managers of complexes like Carriage House and Sunrise Village take extra precautions by placing a double-lock system on all the apartment doors.

“We have a double-lock system so only we can get into apartments with another key when they’re closed,” Faith Arensmeyer, manager of Carriage House, said.

With two locks on the doors, not even tenants can enter their apartments during the break.

“There is a method to the madness so we know exactly who is in complex,” Arensmeyer said. “We don’t let anybody in ... [to prevent] a roommate who comes back and rips another roommate off, for instance.”

In addition to the double locks, a large gate is pulled shut and locked, preventing vehicles from entering Carriage House during the holidays.

Sunrise Village follows along similar lines.

“We have two parking lots, and we put a gate up in the back so people can’t get into the back lot,” Jessica Falezai, manager of Sunrise, said. “We live right on the premise, so we are able to check every day.”

If necessary, the Rexburg Police Department plays a role in patrolling the area. This year, however, there has not been a need.

“It’s been pretty quiet,” Captain Randy Lewis of the Rexburg Police Department said. “We don’t do anything out of the ordinary, but we do patrol those areas [where there is student housing] if there is a concern.”

The extra precautions “guarantee that we can sleep safely at night,” Arensmeyer said.