my advise is move.
Landlords could do things. Onsight security etc... but this costs money most are not willing to pay. The police will not do anythng unless they can actually catch these assholes during a robbery.

I had this same fight with my old apartment complex. We had a security gate with guard. I caught 2 kids trying to steal my car. I called the cops they took them away. I then went to the security guard and asked why they were not walking the property. I was told he was not allowed to leave the booth. It was a liability issue as he could be assaulted if he walked up on a bad guy. I bitch to the management company and they confirmed his story.

3 days later i moved out. Broke my lease and told them to kiss my ass. Apartment companies do not give one shit about their renters. When you leave there will be 10 people in line for your apartment. Spend a hundred or so a month more and rent a house. I actually found one for less than my apertment rent.

mike

The [size=6]ONLY[/size=6] reason why 95% of businesses hire a security guard is for the insurance deduction.  Most posts I have worked are f-d up beyond recognition because they do not think in terms of safety, security, or deterrance or apprehension of criminals.  That security guard they hire for minimum wage to sit there and do nothing represents less money they have to pay in insurance.
They DO NOT care about anything else.
Just the money.
When I was a newbie, I kept bringing concerns I had to my office, and I would consistently get the answer "Oh, don't worry about it!"
Blonde Bombshell, move out of that hellhole ASAP.
[pissed]

I would move.

But until then, maybe one night I would go out with
one of my AR's and wait for my chance to bump fire 30 rounds to scare them.

Ooh wait!, I can't do that. To many people around.
I would be an irresponsible gun owner then.[V]

Never mind.[>:/]

Just move!

You're in a college town, where there are plenty of people with low-end criminal skills and instincts, and a good market (plenty of college kids to sell your car stereo to).  And, since they continue to get away with it, there is no reason for them to stop.  In fact, every time they get away with it, they grow more bold and confident.

One answer is to move to a safer area, but if you can't afford it, then you can't.  I've been there, eating Mac & Chesse and barely affording rent.  [:)]

Another answer is to do what no one else will do: collect evidence against these thieves yourself.  The cops don't care because they know that without evidence that they can't do a thing.  But they can't camp out waiting for these guys either; they're too busy running down calls.  So, get a video camera (borrow one or whatever) and get these guys on video.  Take turns with your friends if you can't stay up all night.  Get shots of their faces and their vehicle.  Get them breaking into cars and stealing stuff.  Tape up the red light and don't let them see you.  THEN call the police and tell them about your evidence.  The response will be totally different.

A gun really isn't the answer; unless you were in Texas, you probably couldn't shoot the bastards, and you really don't want to do so if you can avoid it anyway.  Instead, use the strengths of the system instead of the weaknesses, and put them in jail while keeping your own hands clean.

-Troy

there is always what the jewish area in NYC did. Open Armed patrols.

At the very least a GOOD watch program should be setup with you and your neighbors. Advertise the fact that your doing this and make it obvious. BG's hate being seen.

From a legal standpoint i'd this or video tape is about all you can do. Shooting someone over a car theft or B&E isn't worth it.

Similiar situation, with much different results at my apartment building.
I live in one of two buildings owned and managed by the same company on a street loaded with similiar set-ups.  Mine happen to br the nicer of the buildings on my block, and as such have attracted more attention than the others from would-be thieves.  I lost a CD deck out of my Jeep (note to self...nice stereos and zip-out walls do not equate well) and had heard of similiar small stuff over the past few years.  Just recently, however, that changed radically.  All of the lot lights at my building and most of the ones next door were broken out one weekend, and an apartment window was broken in an attempted B&E.  My landlords responded immediately. Not only were the lights fixed,but new ones were installed...higher up and offering much better visibility in the lots.  Additionally, my landlords staked-out the lot and talked to those who are around the most (kids) and got names from them, which were promptly turned over to the police, who arrested three minors.  Also, they hired off-duty police officers to sit in the lot in uniform, but in their private vehicles, as a visible deterant, primarily securing our lot while watching the buildings across the way where the arrested parties lived.  The police also got involved with the management company across the street, advising on methods of better screening applicants, on procedures for evictions, and so forth.
It was through an aggressive approach by my landlords (who BTW are an older couple) that a potentially bad situation was stopped dead within just a few days.  They notified all residents of what had happened and what they were doing, asked for our help in identifying and suspicious persons or activity, got the police involved BEFORE serious crimes were committed (besides the destruction to property) and most certainly before anyone got hurt.
If their response had been anything else, I would have been shocked, as they are very responsible and genuinely seem concerned about the welfare and safety of their tenants.  Any other kind of response would not be acceptable, and would force me to reconsider my accomodations.
Sluggo

The whole "holding at gunpoint/putting in cuffs" should be a BACKUP to the video plan, should they somehow discover that you're taping them and come after you.  Otherwise, do NOT initiate contact with them if you can avoid it.  Instead, collect the evidence and present it to the cops.

Oh, and BTW, your landlords may be nice people, but they are BAD landlords.  Sluggo's experience is what you should EXPECT, and your folks aren't anywhere close.  Doing nothing to prevent crime only encourages more crime.

Get these guys arrested and prosecuted (insist on pressing charges, and get them convicted!).  Even if they get off lightly, they'll have a record to discourage them in the future and/or assure a longer sentence next time, plus, if they have any brain at all, they'll choose another area next time.

-Troy

Are you starting to get the idea that your apartment manager isn't doing his job?  HE should have given the interview, and HE should have taken the initiative.

Also, you should know not to trust the media.  They want hot news stories, and will slant the story to attract the most viewers, regardless of the facts.

Anyway, the lights will help some, but you've been pretty screwed by the thieves, your apartment manager, the police, and the media.  As you said, they've encouraged more thefts with their actions, or lack thereof.

The apartment manager should be hiring some off-duty cops to patrol the area for the next few months as a minimum.  But, clearly, he's not going to do that.  So, we're back to: move, or collect evidence (i.e., video) that can be used in court.

-Troy