Go figure...

A landlord wants his investment to last as long as possible without the influx of drug deals and peoples trash on their front porches.

I've done work in that complex, and while not everyone there is filthy, it's the filthy ones that ruin it for the rest.

I'm not even going to bother asking why a grown man is living with mom, but at least he's young enough that if he doesn't like it - he can move!

Also, the screen door thing - they look horrible on apartment complexes. Primarily because the residents don't take care of them. Again, this isn't everyone but another case of the few spoils it for the rest.

To be honest though, I've never understood why someone would want their doors open in an apartment complex. Seems a bit ghetto to me...

If you don't like the situation...move.

As the article says and picture reflects, Mrs. Sollars is an 81 year old woman, who I'm sure went through the majority of her youth without air conditioning. You're calling an old woman ghetto because she wants to have her front door open to let in fresh air?

I do agree that the owner wants to make its investment last, but in the landlord/tenant business you go into it knowing that you have to take the bad with the good.

This should be a lesson to tenants (and anyone else about to sign any sort of agreement) everywhere...READ BEFORE YOU SIGN! Never trust that the language in the document is going to be the same, especially when a new owner is involved. That's just common sense.

Don't the apartments have windows?

Maybe some of the residents are used to the lights out, lock down routine?

I live here in Northwood with my young children and what a beautiful place it has become. It is clean and well maintained, the staff is helpfull and kind. The only problem as with everything in life is with a few undisirables spoiling things for the whole group. These young men, and thats being generous, spend their nights prowling our parking lots. Residents are bothered by loud music, foul language, and a constant flow of traffic that pulls up to the group and then leave within a few moments. With these hoodlums has come cars broken into, smashed windows in our cars, and vandalism to the property. We have always had a curfew here, it has just been moved up an hour. The management doesn't bother people who step out their doors to smoke and are not bothering anyone else. Many of us do the same thing and are met with a kind wave of hand. They do however have a problem with those who are wondering in these groups and causing problems.

I have a problem with the fact that only two people out of our entire complex were interviewed for this story. If Mr. Weston would have done his research he would have found that they were in the minority. The other residents are glad we live in a place that tries to keep us safe and our property safe. As a mother trying to raise responsible children I would never alow my child to linger around in parking lots at all hours of the night. It is obvious that they are ingaged in delinquent behavior and their parents are only incouraging it.

The management should continue to inforce this rule to keep all the residents safe. Installing cameras in the parking lots to monitore for illegal activity would also be a bonus to curb this situation. The visibility of the Saint Joseph Police Department would also be helpfull.

So way to go Northwood for keeping me and my family safe.

I guess this goes to show how one sided the paper can really be. Had Mr. Weston done a little more work he would have found that there are plenty of residents that feel the office is attempting to make this a safer place for our family's. If he would have contacted the police dept he would have found that there have been increases in vandilism and in people hanging out in the parking lots after hours. Its funny when you don't see anyone all day and then late at night they are walking the neighborhood. If your not up to no good then why can't you be seen during the day time. Also if all you want to do is smoke cigarettes then why are you wondering through the parking lots looking into cars? People here would love to do something about all of this but let me tell you any time we have then something happens to our children or our property. So would you want to put your name in the paper for more bad things to happen to you. My guess is NO, so therefore our side of the story will go untold. So thank you Mr Weston for helping those of us who are fearful of what may happen if we tell our side of the story.

Mom & Amy:

Thanks for telling your side of the story. Unfortunately for you and the other good folks there, the common sense side doesn't sell papers.

I live at northwood too and before you blame the parents for letting thier kids run wild maybe you better look closer at who you see out there hangin out in the parking lots.They are the parents and some of them drag thier little ones out there too.also some of the new rules dont make any sense at all. explain why you are not allowed a goldfish? one little goldfish that my nieghbor had to flush and her son cried for days cause he won that at a school carnival or her daughter that had to give up her dwarf hamster. how about only having 3 walls to put anything but dont use the one with the window so if there is a fire you can get out. well for one the people upstairs wouldnt be able to reach thier windows anyway. and how come they didnt take a vote during the remodel meeting on what we wanted. i already have a microwave and fans a washer dryer hook up would have been nice or even a dishwasher i would have gladly paid the difference in the water bill. i am one of the older ones that live out here at northwood and if they want to make it safe for us ..how come they are not fixing the burnt out parking lot lights or getting someone to live on site so after the office closes for the night and on weekends they can see what goes on or maybe at least get it to stop some. the people who live in the back of the buildings have it worse cause what goes on back there cant be seen from the road and yet they throw some of the other elderly and disabled to put up with it instead of putting them back in their orginal apts to start with. amy the cameras is a very good idea but so is if mangement would do a better job of screening applicants and not moving in friends and friends of friends etc.... and getting paperwork done on time. by the way where else can you be threatened with a lease violation cause you are sick and ask your grown daughter to bring you some groceries on her way back from the vet and leaves her dog in HER CAR what is also sad is the poor womans daughter didnt even go inside cause she didnt want to get sick ethier. like i said i am a older resident and would like to know how come if northwood is a income based there are no handicap parking unless you happen to be one of the special chosen few? wonder if the city has someone we can talk to about the ADA not being done here even the office is not handicapped accessible. well we shall find out tomorrow.

ok i need to make a correction it was mom that suggested the camera to monitor the lots and not amy but it is still a good idea ..sorry ladies i am old so guess old timers hit me for a few minutes there. again i am so sorry to get you 2 mixed up like that.