Resident at University City off-campus apartments doesn’t feel safe

CHARLOTTE — A resident said that he and other UNC Charlotte students who rent from the off-campus Boulevard 98 apartments do not feel safe.

“I feel like he’s going to be hurt and jumped where someone is going to try to take something from him,” the resident’s mother said.

There have been 28 police reports filed at the apartments since Sept. 1, including five simple assaults and 10 car break-ins. There have also been reports of two burglaries and a report of a rape/sexual assault.

Boulevard 98 boasts round-the-clock security, the presence of local law enforcement and multiple security measures.

The apartment complex also runs background checks on all residents.

Boulevard 98 sent a statement to Channel 9 that said, in part: “At a community such as ours hosting hundreds of residents, police sometimes must respond to citizen calls.”

Those calls involve noise disturbances, and in some instances, “we called police ourselves to escort out visitors who should not have been present, as we continue to focus on the security of our residents,” management said.

Boulevard said its complex is not affiliated with recent crime that happened at a nearby apartment complex.

“This is the 98 Boulevard apartment complex,” management said in a statement. “Last week, we were just across the street at the East Village Apartment complex. It’s also geared toward students and it’s where a young man was shot.”

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Last week, Channel 9 reported on the East Village Apartment complex across the street that is also geared toward students.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said at the end of October, officers believe two men shot into a car at the East Village apartments sending one to a hospital.

CMPD said officers have a partnership with UNC Charlotte police and patrol areas up to one mile off campus.

CMPD’s University City Division officers also do nightly checks and patrols on University City Boulevard and they work with the property managers.

CMPD full statement:

“The CMPD takes the safety of all residents very seriously. CMPD works in partnership with UNC Charlotte Police who assist by patrolling areas up to a mile radius around the campus.

“CMPD’s University City Division officers additionally do nightly zone checks and directed nightly patrols on University City Boulevard.

“Division community coordinators work with property managers at both locations to address ongoing crime and safety issues. As a result of the partnership, there has been a reduction in calls for service at Boulevard 98 and East Village apartments.

“Property management has also taken a proactive approach in evicting residents engaged in unsafe and criminal behavior and implementing enhanced safety protocols.

“Neither is on the UNCC Niner Choice preferred housing list however students do reside at both properties.”

VIDEO: UNC Charlotte student scared to live at off-campus apartments due to crime

UNC Charlotte student scared to live at off-campus apartments due to crime

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