Parents Furious Over Apt. Complex Crime

CHARLOTTE, NC — Eight shootings in the University area in the last three weeks have parents of college students preparing to fight crime.

Security has stepped up at University House Apartments after nearly a month of students robbed and apartments shot up.

“It scared the hell out of me,” said David McKee.

“I should feel safe,” said another victim who asked WCCB Charlotte to conceal her name. “We just moved here in August.”

Robbers broke into both those residents’ apartments while they slept.

Saturday, CMPD worked a shooting into a 20-year-old’s apartment.

CMPD Captain Brian Foley says that stemmed from a fight at a party.

It’s one of four drive-bys in the University area in two days.

Add to that at least four shootings in the past month at University Walk Apartments down the street.

Investigators find the majority of the crimes are drug-related or domestic.

“This falls back on lifestyle choices,” said Capt. Foley. “It falls back on the management of the complex. They’re responsible for ensuring people who move into their buildings are vetted.”

Parents say innocent people are caught in the crossfire.

“We’re trying to protect our kids,” said Steve McKee, David’s father.

He asked the University House complex to allow him hold a meeting with parents on how to combat the crime. Management said no.

“These are young, impressionable, vulnerable kids,” said Steve McKee. “There’s got to be more done.”

Outside the apartments Monday, WCCB Charlotte’s Courtney Francisco had to approach the security guard.

Management would not say what was being done to improve safety.

A spokesperson emailed this statement:

“An incident occurred at University House Boulevard on Sunday, December 13th, 2015 at approximately 2:20 a.m.

It appears that multiple weapons were discharged in a community corridor, but we have confirmed that no one was injured.

We continue to be disturbed by the number of incidents that have taken place in the past few weeks, despite the fact that our security patrol was first on the scene and immediately contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. We know the concern is high among residents, and while we continue to provide 24/7 patrols, we also will be monitoring resident and guest entry Thursday through Saturday at peak times by positioning a security guard at all entry points.

Only residents with the proper identification and wrist bands will be provided with access to the community.

University House Communities continues to cooperate with local authorities regarding this, and sent a communication to residents about this past weekend’s incident on Monday, December 14. As a reminder, the property is gated with controlled access and features surveillance cameras and door prop alarms, and 24-hour patrols. While this incident is under continued investigation, we cannot provide further details beyond this current statement.

All other inquiries should be directed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department.”

The complex refuses to let victims out of their leases.

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” said David McKee.

Residents have created this Facebook page. They plan to have a meeting Friday, December 18 at 6:30 to discuss options.