An upscale apartment complex in Southern California was plagued by a horde of teenagers who left tenants behind in fear for their safety.
The series of incidents at Camden Harbor View Apartments in Long Beach has residents who pay up to $2,700 for a one-bedroom apartment demanding greater security – particularly after a series of arsons in the apartment’s garage Complex last month.
Speaking to multiple news outlets on Monday, residents reported a wave of break-ins, break-ins and physical assaults believed to be the work of the same group of minors.
They said they reached out to both management and the city in hopes of finding a solution and showed security and cell phone videos of some incidents as evidence, including a clip in which the teens appeared to hit a man in the Attack area.
In another clip, a teenager can be seen kicking the residents’ apartment door before running off 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 was the last straw for her.
The rash of incidents has led residents who pay up to $2,700 for a one-bedroom apartment to call for increased security – citing attacks like the one shown above, which involved a man walking through the complex , was beaten and persecuted by the group of instigators
The wave of break-ins, break-ins and physical assaults are believed to be the work of the same group of minors, several of whom are seen here following the aforementioned attack
An upscale apartment complex in Long Beach, California, has experienced a series of alarming incidents committed by a group of teenagers, leaving tenants fearing for their safety
“These kids don’t care.” “They’re looking for trouble,” the woman, identified only as Kimberly, told the outlet.
She referred to the now-circulating clip of the other attack, in which one of the group throws a leaping left hook at a passerby as he flees, saying: “They chased him and he didn’t want to fight back.” He tried just to get them to stop.
“He didn’t want to hurt children,” she added.
She and several others told the network – and national media outlets such as CBS News – that they were fed up with the brass taking no action, despite mounting evidence that the incidents were all the work of the same band.
The incidents prompted minor police action last month when Long Beach police confirmed that a man was brutally attacked by a group of more than a dozen teenagers near the complex on his way home from the gym.
Camden Living, which owns the property, released a statement at the time noting that they had “increased community security and requested additional patrols” as a result of the attack.
“We continue to work closely with the Long Beach Police Department.”
But residents say attacks still occur — even as Long Beach officials respond to repeated 911 calls reporting the incidents.
The incidents worsened in early September when several cars in the complex’s shared garage were set on fire by a serial arsonist who remains at large more than a month later
said they would leave the complex permanently if their concerns were not addressed as residents remained fearful of using amenities such as the complex’s garage
In an interview with KTLA, a resident who gave her name as Kimberly said she was attacked by one of the teens with a skateboard – which was the last straw for her
Ty London recalled some of the residents’ safety concerns, telling Fox 11 that the teens were involved in thefts, assaults, vandalism and even arson.
“They’re jumping the fences, invading our pools, our hallways, stealing our packages. “And we’re being inundated with homeless people,” he said, as several of his neighbors have reportedly moved out amid the surge in cases.
“My car was broken into three times,” he continued. “None of our doors are locked. We have no security at all, so we’re left with these evil skateboarders fighting tenants.”
Fellow resident Javier Diaz blamed the incidents on the complex’s proximity to a nearby skate park, claiming it attracted a younger crowd.
Speaking to police, he claimed he was attacked in a recent incident after leaving a nearby subway station and finding himself confronted by nearly a dozen minors.
“There were probably 10 of them, ages 6 to 12,” he recalled. “They jumped on me and practically touched me. One of them touched my watch and I got a little scared. Why don’t they show respect?’
In another clip, a teenager can be seen kicking the residents’ apartment door before running off with a group of friends
One resident blamed the incidents on the complex’s proximity to a nearby skate park, claiming it attracted a younger crowd
“They have a courtesy patrol, it’s a joke,” Susan Herman said, telling KTLA how she attacked the luxury pool. “Cars stolen, cars wrecked, people beaten up… what does it take?” These teenagers are just out of control’
The incidents worsened in early September when several cars in the complex’s shared garage were set on fire by a serial arsonist who remains at large more than a month later.
Speaking to KTLA on Sunday, Kimberly expressed her belief that armed guards are the only solution to the seemingly endless harassment.
“We need someone who really cares,” citing the ineffectiveness of the courtesy patrols deployed outside the building. “You must take back your property.”
She and other residents said they plan to take their complaints to City Hall if the incidents are not resolved soon, as attacks on people continue to occur even if management is aware of them.
Residents who gathered outside the complex Saturday afternoon told Fox 11 that the attacks had actually gotten worse since September and claimed the building was now a known target.
Many, including Kimberly, said they would leave the complex permanently if their concerns were not addressed, as residents remained afraid to use amenities such as the complex’s pool for fear of being accosted.
Julie Keep, vice president of Camden Marketing, recently cited that management had “increased security in the community and requested additional patrols from Long Beach police” to catch the teens in the act – efforts that tenants said failed
Keep said staff are working closely with the Long Beach Police Department to investigate reports of harassment of our residents and have increased security measures within the community during peak hours.
“They have a courtesy patrol, it’s a joke,” Susan Herman said, telling KTLA how she attacked the luxury pool.
“Stealing cars, destroying cars, beating people up… what does it take?” “These teenagers are just out of control.”
Julie Keep, vice president of Camden Marketing, recently cited that management had “increased security in the community and requested additional patrols from Long Beach police” to catch the teens in the act – efforts that tenants said failed .
Meanwhile, Keep said, “We continue to work closely with the Long Beach Police Department to investigate reports of harassment of our residents and have increased security measures within the community during peak hours.”
has reached out to Long Beach police for comment.