Many campus-area landlords are failing to meet the requirements of Madison's new Building Lock Ordinance and, in doing so, are failing to meet the safety needs of our community.
The new code was instigated by a sexual assault in an apartment complex in which the assailant was able to gain unfettered entry and hide from view. Despite initial objections from landlord associations, the call for greater precautions prevailed.
We applaud the city council's action but are now concerned about the lack of action by landlords, many of whom have not made the required changes. Landlords, who, at first, complained about the cost of installing more locks and notification systems, should not be relied upon to self-enforce this important law. It is the responsibility of the Madison Building Inspection Unit to enforce the new regulations and we urge authorities to do everything in their power to ensure the safety of tenants.
Furthermore, many tenants are unaware of the new safety requirements and few are demanding that their landlords conform. Complicating the problem, many apartment dwellers are themselves guilty of propping open exterior doors.
If your building does not have locks on exterior, laundry room or basement doors, or is not equipped with a buzzer, doorbell or intercom system, call inspection director George Hank at 266-4551 and report these violations.
