New ordinance gets tough on Rosenberg apartment complexes

(4/06/07 - KTRK/ROSENBERG, TX) (KTRK) -- It's big crime in a small town. Authorities in Rosenberg are looking for a way to get the upper hand on crime in its 30 apartment complexes.

"Once nightfall hits, that's when everything start going on," said apartment tenant Kowettie Green.

Green lives at the Pecan Park Apartments. Last year, this complex recorded the most Rosenberg police calls for service.

"They're doing their best, but once the office is closed, that's it," said Green.

Last year, 11% of the city's 32,000 police calls were to apartment complexes. That's part of the reason the city has passed an ordinance requiring apartment owners to better attempt to control crime.

"To try to get the apartment complexes and owners and managers to make their living environments safer for their tenants," said Tom Suter who sits on the Rosenberg city council.

Suter says the ordinance allows police to monitor criminal activity and determine if action is necessary to reduce it.

Police can then require the apartment owners and managers to add lighting, fencing and security. They may even recommend better tenant screening processes and even evictions.

If owners and managers refuse to comply, the city can now penalize them financially. A consequence that can easily turn into a big bill.

"The penalties cannot exceed more than $2,000 each day the complex is in violation," said Lt. Kenny Seymour of the Rosenberg Police Department.

This is welcome news to those living near apartments like Dr. Dan Ives. He's the former Lamar CISD superintendent and says not only will it make him feel safer, but it will also help the children living in the complexes succeed.

"The child has less opportunity to be able to be in trouble," said Dr. Ives.

That's something no one can argue with.

The apartment complex managers and owners we spoke with refused to comment on the new ordinance. It is patterned after an ordinance recently adopted in the city of Houston.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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