FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Residents of an upscale high-rise in Fort Lauderdale say they are fed up with the uptick in crime inside their building.
Those people are on edge, with some even telling Local 10 News wanting to break their lease.
The increase in crime has happened at the apartment complex called Motif located on Andrews Avenue.
Resident Matt Siemans said the crime is happening on the property.
“We found out that it’s been ongoing since the beginning of the year, but we’ve really noticed the biggest surge in the last month in a half,” he said. “What we are finding is that it’s been break-ins, car thefts, break-ins to cars as well as sexual assaults.”
The building is only accessible via a key fob.
“People are getting in through the mostly secure doorways,” Siemans said. “So whether it is something that you need a key fob to get into or even through a parking gate that is not closed or maybe malfunctioning at the time, people are able to walk through.”
Residents believe the property management office should be doing more to make sure those living there are safe.
“There was going to be additional security at the building, I have yet to see that walking my dog,” Siemans said.
Local 10 News’ Sanela Sabovic went to the property management company’s office to see what is being done about resident safety and security, but was told no one in the office had a comment.
They instructed Local 10 News to reach out to corporate, which we did. There has been no response yet.
Management did send an email to all residents saying their safety is their top priority and has taken action to increase patrol service.
According to Fort Lauderdale police, in the past year and a half there have been more than 300 calls for service placed in regards to the property. Not all are crime-related calls, but in this past summer, there have been breaking and entering calls along with calls for auto thefts.