PARKVIEW APARTMENTS: IS THE ENEMY WITHIN?

While the appearance and reporting of criminal activity has decreased in the Parkview Apartments complex, there is still trouble and areas of discomfort which make some residents live in fear. Are there residents who are not living by guidelines provided by management to eliminate contact with troublemakers? Some residents have close relationships with persons who are prone to commit crimes and they feel that they cannot break ties with them. Some of these persons may be relatives and others may be personal friends or even their “Babies Daddies”. Certainly, such relationships can put a person in a decision-making dilemma. The ultimate question becomes, “Should I cut visiting ties with my existing friend or relative and follow guidelines by keeping them away from my residence? The tenant needs to realize that this is the place where an established roof is over her family’s head, as well as her own. It is important that she lets her friends know her predicament. If they are genuine about her family’s well-being, they will find other places to congregate. If not, she is putting herself as well as the safety of other tenants at risk. Sources reveal that some tenants are actually bullying others in a manner threatening them about reporting unwelcomed guests. Such bullying tactics prevent a healthy community life, and is harmful to managers, staff and residents. Bullying deprives victims of their human rights. Managers should emphasize to ALL tenants that the overall common goal is the safety of everyone. It is important that residents are able to live and work together, in a supportive, positive, healthy community, treating each other with respect and dignity, and tolerating differences. No one wins in a bullying atmosphere. The victim is uncomfortable for a brief period. However, the bully, when identified, faces the risk of losing her residence for her family and herself. With a bullying tag on her reference-check makes it almost impossible to locate another place to live. If anyone knows a bully in the Parkview Apartments or is even a bully, consider this article as a fair warning that such actions should cease immediately. Actually, a bully is outnumbered and viewed as the Enemy Within. This is not a good position for any resident. Get with the program to move forward into a safe and productive environment.