The number of car burglaries this week in the parking garage at the Villas on Guadalupe apartment complex rose to six after four break-ins occurred Wednesday.
The crimes have raised concerns regarding the safety of vehicles parked in the garage, located at 2810 Hemphill Park, and whether the management of the popular student complex is responsible for damages.
"They're not taking the necessary precautions to make sure everyone's vehicles are safe," said Elizabeth Maxwell, a tenant and communication studies freshman.
Maxwell said she witnessed a break-in Monday but was not able to reach an Austin Police Department officer until Wednesday. She said she also gave the information to the apartment complex's office but was told by police officers that it was never reported.
"I think it's ridiculous and completely irresponsible," Maxwell said. "I think they should be doing more."
Tenants of the complex may pay $100 per month, or $1,00 when signing a 12-month lease, to park in the garage. Maxwell said she was told by the complex's leasing office that an access-control gate and security guard would protect the vehicles parked there.
"They advertise this stuff and then don't provide it," she said. "We pay so much to park in here, and we're not getting anything, and now they're saying they're not liable for any of the stuff and don't have to have a working gate."
An off-duty police officer patrols the complex and parking garage on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Johanna Janovsky, regional supervisor of JPI Student Services, whose property includes the Villas on Guadalupe, said the parking garage gate has been broken but that it remains closed at all times.
"Crime can happen anywhere, and criminals will circumvent any kind of security," Janovsky said.
She added that the gate to the garage can only be opened by placing remotes given to tenants directly against sensors or by typing in an access code, which is changed quarterly. At 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, the parking garage gate was wide open, and no cars were trying to enter or exit.
Maxwell said the gate remains open until it is manually shut and that she often sees it open.
Matt Calderon, a realtor with Uptown Realty, said that when property managers offer certain security measures that are not provided, they should be responsible for damages that occur.
"In my opinion, if I'm signing a lease with the Villas and they make these claims about their security and don't provide them, then they are liable for any damages that have occurred," Calderon said.
Sgt. Terry Gamel, a spokesman for the Austin Police Department, said break-ins have increased in the Villas area from five in 2007 to 11 in March and April of this year.
"They're all over and happening everywhere," Gamel said. "If the gate had not been broken, those guys may not have been able to break in."
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