|
Big Brother is watching home
In response to objectionable behavior on the part of tenants, some apartment owners have taken to the idea of hiring private security forces to "insure a safe, peaceful environment."
The duties of these forces basically amount to keeping non-tenants from wandering apartment halls and to keep loud parties to a minimum. This hiring of an outside force to police property is indicative of a trend in this country for those who can afford to buy their own security. There are more "rent-a-cops" in this country now than actual law enforcement officers.
What this represents is just another intrusion into students' lives by outside forces in the name of "security." The whole idea to get an apartment in the first place is to escape the eyes of authority. Now, instead of having R.A.s, we have private security firms that may or may not be armed.
The idea behind the hiring of these officers is basically sound. No one wants to live in an apartment complex that has parties going on all the time, but living under the lingering eye of the police does not have very much appeal either. It's up to the residents to police each other. If someone is having a loud party, communication between residents should be established to try to solve the problem without resorting to the landlord, or worse, the police.
If there is a problem in the apartment complex, it's the landlord's responsibility. If the situation is out of his or her control, then the police should be called. This, as far as we know, has been the way that apartments have functioned since the first apartments were opened. While there are admittedly problematic situations that can develop between the owners and those who rent, we do not believe that such a drastic step as hiring a private security force is necessarily the best way to handle things. To some, it seems overkill.
As long as people are not damaging the property, doing something illegal or causing a major disturbance, there should be no reason for them to be harassed by security forces. In an article in the Chronicle, students reported being harassed by security when they weren't even doing anything. Students report being told to go to bed because it was late when they weren't causing a disturbance. Can't we all be adults here? There is also a story about an officer that lingered outside a door, waiting for someone to make a mistake after they were written up. To have someone lingering outside your door, waiting for you to make a mistake reeks of Big Brother.
We realize that there are problems in apartments. Everyone has horror stories - both landlords and renters alike. But to call in an outside party to regulate duties that should be left to the police is absurd. Security is necessary in order to preserve order, but we are all human, and that right to enforce can be abused just like any other. In a perfect world, we wouldn't need people to watch others and keep them in line. But this, as we all know, is not a perfect world. Keep security forces out of apartments. Freedom begins at home.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
