I got lifted…
Well my electronics got lifted straight up and out of my apartment.
After moving to an Equity Residential Apartment complex here in South Florida, I was finally happy to find a place to call home. After living in South Florida for two years, it appeared that I was finally able to escape the craziness of an unstable and crazy living situation as well as, living next door to a racist, passive-aggressive neighbor.
The place was not perfect but I was happy with it: gated community, seemingly competent staff, adequate amenities, and a convenient location.
Then, everything came crashing down on Wednesday, September 19, 2012.
The apartment complex contracts out its pest services to Orkin Pest Control, who is responsible for handling pest requests for the entire complex. Unknown to me at the time, if a request is made for pest control services, an Orkin Associate receives a key from the apartment complex and is given permission to enter any premises alone (without other Equity personnel present) to complete requested services.
To this point, while I was at work, the Orkin Associate entered my apartment with my key alone.
When I arrived home to a locked door around 6:30pm that evening, I found that my MacBook, iPad, 
Docking Station, and Jewelry were missing. My apartment was not destroyed but someone was in my apartment and items were missing and NOPE it wasn’t me!
Of course I called the police, filed a police report, contacted Orkin, and the office of my complex. After going through the process and to this day, I do feel as if my situation was brushed off and swept under the rug by the Equity office administration considering that my complex IS liable. Even if the Orkin Associate left my door open, left and returned to my apartment, the complex IS liable.
Too bad for my naivety for believing that I could trust the complex to complete a service in my absence as well as, claim some form of responsibility for the event. What the hell was I thinking?
And no, I am far from satisfied with my complex’s response however, I have too much going on in my life at the moment and it is best that I move forward and just deal with the Insurance Company.
Furthermore, I decided not to write my story for any newspaper or magazine (after much thought) but by writing this in my blog, I hope that you will learn from my mistakes:
- Don’t let anyone into your apartment for any service unless you are present. If this is not an option, invest in a baby monitor or security system.
- Get a security system and ensure that it is wired to the Police and Fire Station (if an option.)
- Be persistent! Do not just let the complex brush off (like I did.)
- Hire an attorney and sue the hell out of your complex if they do not claim responsibility and offer to replace the missing items.
Speaking of theft, remember – the holidays are soon going to be upon us so, remember: don’t leave your stuff visible in your car, watch how your purchase items and carry them to your car and home, don’t leave your packages under the Christmas Tree from the time you wrap them until New Years. Dig deep in that bucket of Common Sense and use it.
Live Positive!
Joveline
joveline 