DeKALB – A DeKalb landlord who owns residential buildings adjacent to Ridgebrook Apartment complex where a fatal shooting occurred a week ago, is concerned about building safety in the area.
Dave Grant, one of several owners of GRT Apartments, has owned the residential units in the 800 block of Edgebrook Drive since 2015 with Dwell DeKalb LLC. Grant spoke about his concerns after a homicide at the Ridgebrook Apartment complex, 835 Edgebrook Drive (owned by Hunter Properties, DeKalb’s largest landlord), next door to apartment complexes he owns on the street.
“We all live in DeKalb and have a vested interest to do a great job,” Grant said. “You can’t control every person and what they do, however, there are steps you can take as a landlord.”
Last week’s fatal shooting marks the second shooting incident on DeKalb’s north side in about a month and a half. An earlier shooting and a high-speed police chase in December that led DeKalb police through Sycamore left one dead and two others hospitalized. Police said the December shooting occurred after two people attempted an armed robbery with two victims Dec. 15 at an apartment complex in the 900 block of West Hillcrest Drive.
Grant said while he doesn’t hold landlords responsible for what their tenants do, he wishes more property owners did all they could to ensure safety is a priority for their buildings.
“There’s a big problem in this business with common hallways,” Grant said. “We do have some common hallways where you come in and everyone is in the same hallway.”
As DeKalb police investigated the shooting ahead of bringing charges forward last Friday, he said they utilized what he calls “police substations” that he’s set up in his buildings to view surveillance footage which aided the investigation.
“You want landlords to run a tight ship,” Grant said. “And that’s the key, making sure you’re enforcing your rules, your doors are locked, lights are on, invest in some cameras, put some fencing around, be a good partner with the city.”
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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