ATLANTA — Thieves smashed more than 100 car windows in an apartment complex over the weekend.
In response, an Atlanta city councilwoman wants to require apartment complexes to add cameras, security guards, and improve lighting.
Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke with renters at the Mariposa Lofts on Montag Circle about the crimes.
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Some renters say they don’t feel safe after what happened.
Top city officials are meeting with apartment industry leaders to work towards solutions.
If apartment complexes have existing security cameras, city officials want to have them integrated with the city network of cameras.
They’re hoping this along with extra lighting and more physical security could help deter mass car break-ins like the one that happened this weekend.
“It’s very unfortunate. It is what it is and I’m glad nobody got hurt,” car break-in victim Derrick Core said.
Core watched as a window repair worker replaced the glass in his car.
Technician Sully Dawood told Regan that 140 cars were broken into at the apartment complex in the early hours of Saturday morning.
At least two guns were stolen from vehicles.
“It’s overwhelming. We are having to push back on windshield jobs, things like that. You don’t want to feel unsafe in your own city,” Dawood said.
With the ongoing surge in car break-ins, top city officials are trying to persuade large apartment complexes to enhance their security cameras, lighting, and possibly add more security guards to deter crimes.
“I work very closely with the apartment association and we’re hoping in a conversation with their members to voluntarily do this in the coming year,” Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond said. “If not, I think legislation would be appropriate at that time.”
Councilman Bond said the State General Assembly would also have to enact legislation to enforce new safety mandates.
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He said funding and other incentives could be put in place to help complexes comply.
If not, fines could be imposed.
Neighbors hit by car break-ins, primarily aimed at stealing guns, welcome any steps to make them feel safer where they live and not worry about their cars overnight.
“There should be more measures taken to potentially prevent many of these crimes from happening,” resident Megan Scwinne said.
Residents are meeting with management on Wednesday evening to express their concerns.
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