'Apartment X' assisted by apartment managers
Kudos to the Guilford County sheriff for proactively taking child predators off the street and to WFMY (Channel 2) for partnering with him to capture and broadcast the chilling images.
Unfortunately, one partner in this story is a victim of sensationalism. The Triad Apartment Association (TAA) wants you to know that despite what the creepy, spectral images of "Apartment X" on ads and billboards might tempt you to believe, apartment communities are crime-fighting partners with local law enforcement. In fact, the owners of "Apartment X" were partners in the sting.
Many local apartment communities participate in crime-free and neighborhood watch programs. They get regular neighborhood crime updates from local police departments.
Many also provide subsidized housing for law enforcement officers living in their apartments who help their neighbors protect their community. Further, most (70 to 80 percent, I think) professionally managed apartment communities perform criminal background checks on all prospective residents.
Finally, TAA urges all of its members and neighbors to register with the Guilford Sheriff's Office to get e-mail updates when a registered sex offender moves into your neighborhood. Visit www.TAA.bz for that sign-up link.
Clarke Martin
Greensboro