Seeking to ensure tenant safety, the Landlord and Tenant Issues Subcommittee of the Madison City Council voted Thursday evening to approve an ordinance that will require landlords to install locks on common doors of all inhabited buildings.
According to George C. Hank, Madison housing inspection supervisor, about one-third of the buildings in a campus neighborhood, such as the Doty Street area, will require an upgrade under the new ordinance. Explaining the purpose of the proposed ordinance, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said a high-profile sexual assault in his district could have been prevented were such a system in place two to three years ago.
\It may cost some money, but I don't think you can put a price tag on security,"" he said.
Associated Students of Madison Chair of Legislative Affairs Kelly Eagan passed around to the subcommittee members copies of an ASM resolution supporting the ordinance.
Citing added protection for students, many of whom live in multiple apartment buildings, Eagan encouraged the subcommittee to approve the ordinance.
""It does have the support of UW-Madison. I urge you to vote for this resolution,"" Eagan said.
Steve Brown, a local landlord, said he neither favored nor supported the resolution. He did express concern that this amendment would unintentionally require buildings that served as both rental properties and offices of the landlord to be locked all day. Brown explained he did not want to increase the difficulty for tenants who wish to reach him and his management.
A Madison resident in attendance, Rosemary Lee, said landlords should be given at least 180 days to implement the new locks. The ordinance was then amended to state 180 days, as the 120 days stated previously was a mistake.
Lee then suggested an addition to the ordinance that would add punitive damages for residents who prop open doors on security lock buildings.
""I can't tell you how many security lock buildings I walk by and see propped open by a brick,"" Lee said. ""I think that to send a strong message to the community there should be punitive damages for those who prop open the door.""
