Heights, Police Hold Safety Meeting

The recent at apartment complex led police and Heights staff to host a public safety meeting for residents Tuesday evening. 

Held in the complex's Fireside Lounge from 5 to 6 p.m., the meeting was attended by around 200 residents, who had the opportunity to ask questions and make safety suggestions in light of recent crime, including and a incident.

Although the meeting was not open to the public—a Patch reporter was asked to leave the lounge minutes before it began—residents spoke about what transpired.

Jackie Manion, 23, has been a resident since May 2011.

"(During the meeting) they said they didn't want bad press, which I understand, because you don't want the place in which you live to look bad," said Manion. "They said residents were not told about the first few incidents because police didn't know if the (perpetrator) was a Heights resident. But when were they going to tell us? When someone was killed?"

Manion said she learned of the recent criminal activity via Collingswood Patch, as well as the evening news.

"I had no idea (about the crimes) at that point. I also wasn't aware of tonight's saftey meeting until I saw it in the news," she said, referring to a letter residents received on Jan. 14, inviting them to the meeting. "I never got that letter."

According to the letter, officials state, "We are working closely with the while they are investigating these attacks. Additionally, we have engaged Strike Force Security Company to patrol the property, effective immediately. The continues to be a safe and inviting community. However, we ask that all of our residents remain extra diligent until the perpetrators of these acts are apprehended."

The meeting notice ends with a request that all residents call 911 if they witness any suspicious activity.

Manion said she heard a lot of good resident suggestions Tuesday with regard to making the complex safer.

"People suggested putting in more lights where the complex meets Route 30. It's really dim there currently," she said. "I also liked (one resident's) suggestion to remove bushes around the complex, because people hide behind them. I think there were a lot of good ideas tonight."

According to police, implementation of these ideas would have to come from management—not law enforcement.

Heights resident Joanne Hewitt, who spent her 69th birthday at the safety meeting, said Tuesday's large crowd made it difficult to hear the message.

"I didn't really get all the way into the lounge. There were too many people, and there was nowhere to sit. I can't stand, I have arthritis," said Hewitt. "But I know I don't feel 100 percent safe here. We need some better security."

A number of residents wouldn't talk to members of the media after the meeting, citing fear of repercussions or eviction.

Gloria Roller, 56, who's lived at Heights for 30 years, offered some safety suggestions she said were in place throughout the complex years ago.

"(These incidents) really have nothing to do with management, who are very nice people," said Roller. "Back in the day, police used to give residents citations here; after three, you were out. That's all there was to it, three strikes. And it worked. There were also emergency notifications at complex entrances. And we had elevator cameras at one time. I think these would all be wonderful (tactics that, if reinstituted), would help promote safety."

After the meeting, which had police officers making time to speak one-on-one with residents, Collingswood Police Chief Richard Sarlo shed light on the issue at hand.

"Tonight, we were really trying to inform people of what we're doing to prevent crime. We also gave (residents) a number of safety tips—explaining what they should look for, and what not to look for (when assessing suspicious activity)," said Sarlo.

Sarlo said police are currently implementing prevention tactics.

"Currently, we do have officers patrolling the complex in plain clothes capacity. We also have beefed up our patrol on marked units," said Sarlo, adding that increased security will be especially evident at nighttime. "This is not an easy situation. But I don't care where you go, there's crime everywhere."

As for the complex's recent ? Sarlo said investigations are still ongoing.

"We have a lot of good information right now, and I'm confident we'll have someone in custody soon (for the robberies)," he said.