Terrified residents

Alexan tenants say they are fearful following crimes

Jen Zoller wants the Alexan CityView apartments to go back to the way they were the first few months after she moved in.
A public relations professional who works in Manhattan and who used to live in New York City, she took an apartment at the luxury rental complex to be closer to her then-fiancée, now-husband, who was living on the Jersey Shore.
Things were good there for the first six months for the couple, but Zoller said she noticed changes at the facility over the last year that she is not happy about, including loud music, graffiti on walls, trash in the hallways, and the smell of marijuana.
But things have come to a head for her since an increase in crime at the building complex was reported in local media. An assault and eight burglaries have been reported at Alexan this year.
“It’s been terrible,” Zoller said. “A few weeks ago I had to get escorted to my apartment, which I pay $2,000 a month for, by the police, because my neighbors were hiding some guys who led the cops on a high-speed chase.”
Management did not tell residents about one of the crimes until three weeks later, she said.
The complex did add a “courtesy officer” security patrol after the sixth burglary there, according to Zoller, but she does not feel that is enough.
“I love the idea of security guards, but I’d like to know what time they work until,” she said.

A victim after two weeks

A tenant who would identify herself only as “Crystal” said she had moved to Alexan less than a month and a half ago and has already been a crime victim. She said her apartment was the fourth one burglarized this year.

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“Residents are terrified to throw away their trash or take their pets for a walk.” – Alexan resident
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She said management didn’t warn tenants about the increase in crime until after her apartment was burglarized. “It’s unacceptable,” she said. “More people were victimized because no one told us.”
The Bayonne Police Department sent two sergeants to Alexan the evening of April 15 to make a presentation during a safety meeting called by management. There were about 70 to 75 people there, according to some attendees.
“I have full faith in the Bayonne Police Department,” Crystal said. “But something should have been done.”
Burglars took a $22,000 watch from her apartment, but nothing else, she said.
“As a tenant, I should feel safe,” Crystal said, adding that she had lived in a garden apartment for six years in Bergen County without a problem. “I’m paying $700 more a month to be here and get robbed.”

‘Magnet for crime’

A third resident, who asked that her name not be used, told the Bayonne Community News, “This complex is not secure and safe for the residents” and “has been a magnet for crime.”
She also cited what she said were problems with fire alarms going off needlessly, shuttle buses being late, wild animals roaming freely on the grounds, and homeless people living in vacant apartments.
“Residents are terrified to throw away their trash or take their pets for a walk,” she said.
Besides adding the courtesy officer, Zoller said the only change she has seen management make has been fixing a broken garage door so that it closes and does not allow entry into the living areas.
Repeated emails and phone messages seeking comment on issues at Alexan CityView were not returned by managers there.

Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.

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