Could the shooting of a 21-year-old man at the MAV at North Macon expose the complex\u2019s owners to a civil lawsuit?\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Georgia Negligent Security Law<\/h2>\n
Negligent security is when a property owner or manager doesn\u2019t take enough steps to keep their property safe. This can lead to people getting hurt or killed while they\u2019re on the property. Some examples of negligent security are not having enough lights in a parking lot, not fixing a broken lock on a door, and not having enough security patrols to watch over the property.<\/p>\n
In Georgia, if there\u2019s a reasonable chance that a crime might happen at an apartment complex, the law says that the property owners have to take steps to make sure everyone is safe. Landlords might have to do things like put up security cameras that are easy to see, hire security guards to be on-site, put up a fence around the complex with gates that only approved guests can get through, or even have someone watching over the parking garage and entrance gate.<\/p>\n
A History of Negligence at MAV at North Macon Apartments<\/h2>\n
In 2020, the same apartment complex was the scene of a fatal shooting when 22-year-old Douglas Stevenson was shot<\/a> several times and killed in his car.<\/p>\n
Online reviews<\/a> contain a list of safety and security problems that property managers fail to solve. \u201cThere is always constant drug activity in the back unit of the community,\u201d says one resident. \u201cThere are no security cameras,\u201d they continued.<\/p>\n
Another resident writes, \u201cIt\u2019s a total mess\u2026. A joke, no security, very dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease do not move here,\u201d says one former resident to other families looking at the property. \u201cIn the year we lived there, there were 12 gunshots fired, as well as many break-ins. The cops barely ever showed to solve the issue.\u2026 I\u2019m glad we moved out of there as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice<\/h3>\n
Georgia landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their properties safe from foreseeable crimes. But some landlords don\u2019t do this, and this can lead to more violence.<\/p>\n
Police officers may be able to catch people who commit crimes, but they can\u2019t force landlords to make their properties safer or pay money to the people who were hurt.<\/p>\n
If someone is seriously injured because of a crime at an apartment complex, only the person who was hurt and their family can try to get justice by suing the landlord in court. The money they get from the lawsuit might not be enough to make everything better, but it can help pay for things like doctor bills and lost wages.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s surprising, but sometimes the idea of losing a lot of money in a lawsuit is what makes landlords start taking safety more seriously. This is sometimes how a good thing can be the result of a bad situation.<\/p>\n
Together we can Make Georgia Safe, one community at a time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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