Landlord 'does parents' job

Andrew Jackson is fed up with having to spend money to protect his and his tenants’ property from thieves. He has already installed security lighting and is now looking at cameras and security gates.

CHRIS ISON CI--

ROCKHAMPTON landlord Andrew Jackson tries to offer university students a cheap place to live.

His unit block is quiet and he tries to make it as secure as possible for his tenants.

But after a spate of thefts, thought to be by children, he feels he must do the job the parents of the thieves won’t.

“I’m paying so the parents of these kids don’t have to,” he said.

Six months ago, a car belonging to a tenant at his unit block was broken into, with sunglasses and other items stolen.

This prompted him to do something about the “really dark” car park, and he erected lights which illuminate the area all night.

Last Friday, three cars in the parking lot were broken into, with the thieves breaking windows to get into the vehicles.

Mr Jackson believes kids are behind the thefts, as only lollies were taken from one of the vehicles.

He is now considering putting up cameras, and placing an electric gate on the entrance to the complex.

“I’ve got college kids living here, and I’m trying to offer them a cheap alternative. I’m going to have to absorb this cost,” he said.

“I’d like to try and solve the problem, and I don’t like passing the cost onto my tenants. I’m going to bear the brunt of idiots’ actions.

“I’m paying so the parents don’t have to do their job.”

He’d like to see harsher penalties for those who do get caught, but said parents need to be involved, and the kids have to be doing something.

“We have to see them involved in community activities, instead of leaving them to become criminals,” he said.

“The whole community has to take part and get them doing something.

“The crime happens when they start getting bored.”