Could the owners of the Centennial Place Apartments be liable after an argument erupted into violence?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Georgia Negligent Security Law<\/span><\/h2>\n
Georgia state law requires that property owners take reasonable steps to curtail foreseeable crimes and keep their residents safe.\u00a0 In response to known past criminal incidents on the property, particularly those of a violent nature, the landlord may be expected to implement additional security measures,which could include perimeter fencing with adequate automatic gates, visible security cameras throughout the property, adequate lighting, and perhaps even\u00a0 on-site security.\u00a0 Should they fail to do so, the owners could be held liable in a civil court of law for the results of violent crime that occured on their property.<\/span><\/p>\n
A History of Crime at Centennial Place Apartments<\/span><\/h2>\n
The shooting which occurred in February is only the most recent episode of violence to occur at Centennial Place Apartments. In July of 2021 a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed <\/span>after a large fight<\/span><\/a> involving some 50 teens.\u00a0 In September of 2019 a resident, <\/span>Jack Lipsius<\/span><\/a> was beaten to the verge of death by a home intruder. Fortunately, he survived and was released from the hospital a few months later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Online reviews<\/span><\/a> describe the security concerns of the residents at the Centennial Place Apartments.\u00a0 \u201cThis is not a safe or secure community,\u201d writes one reviewer, \u201cThe gates are literally always broken. There is little to no security & it is a high crime area, as I\u2019ve witnessed a few incidents.\u201d Another reviewer agrees, writing; \u201cthe gates don\u2019t even work and are always open.\u201d One reviewer states that their neighbors \u201cbroke into peoples\u2019 cars, stole things out of our apartment,\u201d and were actually squatting in the residence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice<\/span><\/h3>\n
When apartment managers turn a blind eye to the crime infecting their community, they may be held liable in a civil lawsuit.\u00a0 While the police may apprehend the perpetrator and bring them to justice, they can do little to deter landlords from allowing crime into their communities and creating havens for violent criminals.\u00a0 The families of victims, and the survivors, of violent crime can bring suit in a civil court.\u00a0 A monetary judgment cannot restore life to a lost loved one, but it can be used to supplement lost income, pay funeral expenses, and relieve debts left behind.\u00a0 Perhaps more importantly, a monetary judgment may incentivize landlords to finally make the changes they need to protect their residents.\u00a0 In this way, together, we can <\/span>Make Atlanta Safe<\/span><\/a>, one community at a time. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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