An upscale apartment complex in Southern California has been plagued by a mob of teenagers who have left tenants fearing for their safety.
The string of incidents at the Camden Harbor View Apartments in Long Beach have spurred residents paying as much as $2,700 for a one-bedroom to demand more security – especially after a string of arson fires in the complex’s garage last month.
On Monday, speaking to several news outlets, residents cited a wave of break-ins, burglaries, and physical assaults believed to be the work of the same group of minors.
They said they have reached out to both management and the city in hopes of securing solution – showing security and cell phone videos of some of the incidents as proof, including a clip where the teens appear to attack a man within the area.
Another clip shows a teen kick one of the residents’ apartment doors, before running away with a group of friends. In an interview with KTLA, one resident said she was attacked by one of the teens with a skateboard – which, for her, was the last straw.
The sting of incidents have spurred residents paying as much as $2,700 for a one-bedroom to demand heightened security – citing attacks like the one seen above, where a man walking through the complex was punched and followed by the group of instigators
The wave of break-ins, burglaries, and physical assaults believed to be the work of the same group of minors, several of whom are seen here after the above attack
An upscale apartment complex in California’s Long Beach has been plagued by a series of alarming incidents – carried out by a mob of teens who have left tenants fearing for their safety
‘These kids don’t care. They are looking for trouble,’ the woman, identified only as Kimberly, told the outlet.
Referencing the now circulating clip of the other attack, during which one of the group throws a leaping left hook at a bystander as he flees, she said: ‘They were stalking him and he didn’t want to fight back. He was just trying to get them to stop.
‘He didn’t want to hurt kids,’ she added.
She and several others told the station – and national outlets like CBS News – that they are fed-up with the lack of action from building brass, despite the increasing amount evidence that the incidents are all the work of the same band.
The incidents led to some slight police intervention last month, when Long Beach police confirmed that a man was brutally assaulted by a group of more than a dozen teens on his way home from the gym near the complex.
Camden Living, which owns the property, sent a statement at the time touting how they had ‘increased community security and requested additional patrols’ as a result of the attack.
‘We are continuing to work with the Long Beach Police Department closely.’
But residents say the attacks are still occurring – even with Long Beach officers responding to repeated distress calls reporting the incidents.
The incidents grew more serious in early September when several cars in the complex’s shared garage were set ablaze by a serial arsonist, who is still at large more than a month later
said they will leave the complex for good if their concerns are not addressed – as residents remain afraid to use amenities like the complex’s garage
In an interview with KTLA, one resident, who gave her name as Kimberly, said she was attacked by one of the teens with a skateboard – which, for her, was the last straw
Recalling some of the security concerns residents have been facing, resident Ty London told Fox 11 that the teens are engaging in instances of theft, assault, vandalism, and even arson.
‘They jump over the fences, getting into our pools, our hallways, stealing our packages. And we are inundated with homeless,’ he said, as several of his neighbors have reportedly moved out amid the rash of instances.
‘My car was broken into three times,’ he went on. ‘None of our doors are locked. We don’t have security whatsoever, so we are left with these bad skateboarders that are fighting tenants.’
Fellow resident Javier Diaz blamed the incidents on the complex’s proximity to a nearby skate park, claiming it has attracted a younger crowd.
Speaking to the station, he claimed that he was attacked in one recent incident, after leaving a nearby subway station to find himself faced with nearly a dozen minors.
‘There was probably ten of them from 6 to 12-years-old,’ he recalled. ‘They started jumping on me, touching me practically. One of them touched my watch and I got a little scared. Why don’t they show respect?’
Another clip shows a teen kick one of the residents’ apartment doors, before running away with a group of friends
One resident blamed the incidents on the complex’s proximity to a nearby skate park, claiming it has attracted a younger crowd
‘They have a courtesy patrol that’s a joke,’ said Susan Herman, telling KTLA how she attacked at the upscale pool. ‘Cars stolen, cars vandalized, people beat up … what does it take? Those teenagers are just out of control’
The incidents grew more serious in early September when several cars in the complex’s shared garage were set ablaze by a serial arsonist.
Speaking to KTLA Sunday, Kimberly aired the belief that armed guards are the only solution for the seemingly never-ending harassment.
‘We need somebody who actually cares,’ citing the ineffectiveness of courtesy patrols being deployed by the building. You have to take back your property.’
She and other residents said they plan to take their complaints to City Hall if the incidents are not addressed soon, as people continue to be attacked even with management aware.
Residents who gathered outside the complex Saturday afternoon told Fox 11 that the attacks have actually worsened since September, claiming the building is now a well-known target.
Many, including Kimberly, said they will leave the complex for good if their concerns are not addressed – as residents remain afraid to use amenities like the complex’s pool out of fear of being accosted.
Vice President of Camden Marketing Julie Keep recently cited how management has ‘increased community security and requested additional patrols by the Long Beach Police Department’ to catch the teens in the act – efforts tenants say have fallen flat
Keep said staff are working ;closely with the Long Beach Police Department to address reports of harassment of any of our residents and have stepped up security coverage within the community during peak hours’
‘They have a courtesy patrol that’s a joke,’ said Susan Herman, telling KTLA how she attacked at the upscale pool.
‘Cars stolen, cars vandalized, people beat up … what does it take? Those teenagers are just out of control.’
Vice President of Camden Marketing Julie Keep recently cited how management has ‘increased community security and requested additional patrols by the Long Beach Police Department’ to catch the teens in the act – efforts tenants say have fallen flat.
Keep, meanwhile, said, ‘We continue to work closely with the Long Beach Police Department to address reports of harassment of any of our residents and have stepped up security coverage within the community during peak hours.’
AlertContent.com has reached out to the Long Beach Police Department for comment.