The TA Facebook page reports that there's been another alleged theft of a tenant's property (in this case a check book!) having to do with free and unsupervised apartment access to painters hired by management. "These two thefts come on the heels of three Grand Larcenies in Stuyvesant Town when Management permitted contract workers in scores of apartments unsupervised," adds the notice.
Apparently, tenants cannot protect their apartments by using a top lock, according to their lease.
A tangent, I know, but I have to add that the painting job I've seen these non-union painters do is sloppy and unprofessional, so perhaps we can get the old crew back???
Just so new tenants know, there was a time (actually before my time here) when tenants were able to leave their front doors unlocked without fear of thievery or other forms of mischief. That's when this place was a real community. Now, nothing is safe, even deliveries from the Post Office and FedEx.
Legal or not, I have had a top lock for DECADES that Management has NEVER had the key to. And they never will, especially now with all the thievery and unauthorized entries into apartments. Wanna sue me or try to evict me because I have such a lock, Compass Rock/CW Capital?? Be my guest. And what exactly is the NYPD doing about all the thefts here???? What is Management's liability?? Surely they are liable for the actions of their employees and contractors. I hope the affected tenants are suing Management.
ReplyDeleteThis is outrageous and unacceptable. That said, it's always better to err on the side of caution and lock up, hide, or remove from the apartment anything valuable or sensitive. A checkbook and other financial documents should never be accessible, and neither should jewelry or computers or similar items.
ReplyDeleteI have a top lock, too, and I will never give it up or give management a key. They can do what the hell they like, but they won't get my top lock removed or have my key.
ReplyDeleteAs far as painting goes, my apartment is long overdue for a paint job, but I am afraid to let these characters in when I am not there. True, you can take jewelry out and put it somewhere safe, but what about the not so portable expensive items? How can you possibly supervise painters?
Last time I had my apartment painted was 2001 and I wasn't afraid to leave anything of value in my apartment. The unionized painters and handymen worked directly for Stuyvesant Town (then owned and run my MetLife) and the property was renowned for the fact that you could trust your home and property to the honesty of those employees. Now, it is a totally different story. I know they are not all thieves, but some obviously are and for that reason, I won't let them into my apartment unless I am there to breathe down their necks. Can't get a paint job done under those conditions.
The TA should step in, I'm sure a correlation can be concluded that doors with 2 locks are less likely to be robbed. The holes for the second lock are already on the door. When does common sense come into play here.
ReplyDeleteThere's no point of having packages delivered because they will get stolen. When people leave the front doors open in the lobbies, thieves get in and walk the stairs floor by floor looking for packages. They steal them from your apartment door, disappear into the stairwells, unpack them, place them in their own bags and walk out undetected. I know this because I've caught two men on separate occasions doing this very thing. Once they are in the stairwells they can travel the building undetected by cameras. This is why we must keep the front doors closed.
ReplyDeleteThere's no point of having packages delivered because they will get stolen. When people leave the front doors open in the lobbies, thieves get in and walk the stairs floor by floor looking for packages. They steal them from your apartment door, disappear into the stairwells, unpack them, place them in their own bags and walk out undetected. I know this because I've caught two men on separate occasions doing this very thing. Once they are in the stairwells they can travel the building undetected by cameras. This is why we must keep the front doors closed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved in here 33 years ago, I was told that a top lock was optional and that the landlord would NOT accept a copy of the key. The understanding was that in the event of a real emergency they would take the door off or bust the lock. I have never seen anything in any of my leases over the years that indicates that this has changed. I will NOT give them a copy of my top lock key under any circumstances. They can bust the door down in case of emergency, but it had better be a fucking emergency or we head to court. When do we get rid of this filthy, law-flouting scum called CWCapital/Compass Rock?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if somebody employed by CR/CW is fencing the stuff that is stolen?
ReplyDeleteThe TA should step in? And do what? Give the robbers free parade tickets with the hopes they'll become members and support the conversion?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWARNING:
To all tenants of 10 stuyvesant Oval> Our trunk room has been emptied of all trunks?
No warning from management!
Anyone knows where they are...?
How do we know that all of our trunks are there, or missing ?
DON'T MOVE HERE! THIS PLACE IS AN ATROCITY. HOW MANY MORE EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO ROB US? FIRST THEY GAVE THE MASTER KEY OUT TO CONTRACTORS NOW THIER OWN MAINTENCE PEOPLE ATE ROBBING US? ARE OUR CHILDREN SAFE IN THER OWN HOMES ARE OUR PETS SAFE IN OUR OWN HOMES WHEN ANYONE CAN AT ANY TIME WALTZ INTO OUT APARTMENTS AND STEAL OUR BELONGINGS? WHAT THE HELL IS WRING WITH ANDREW MACARTHUR AND CWCAPITAL.
ReplyDeleteCOMPASS ROCK IS A FAKE COMPAMY. WHY ATENT MORE STORIES BEING WRITTEN ABOUT THAT. THEY WERE FORMED SEVERAL MONTHS BEGORE THEIR TAKEOVER AND HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH PROPRTIES THIS LARGE.
THEY TREAT US LIKE GARBAGE ONCE WE SIGN THE LEASE FORGETTING THAT WE ARE THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEY NEED OUR MONEY.
I TELL ANYONEONE WHO WILL LISTEN DO NOT RENT HETE BECAUSE ITS A HORRIBE PLACE TO LIKVE UNLESS YOU LIKE ABUSE.
I have, in the past, ALWAYS stopped people from piggybacking in with me or who have asked me to let them in. After 14 years of watching NOT A SINGLE PERSON care who they let in, I know longer care either. I was vigilant to the point of occasional confrontations. No one else cares, and we wonder why we're getting robbed?
ReplyDeleteI read on the TA fb that local locksmiths will not install private top locks in PCVST. Is that true? If my lock ever breaks, do I have to call someone from out of the area to install a new one?
ReplyDeleteAugust 17 @11;28PM
ReplyDeleteI remember those parade tickets! That person laughed and commented that she was connected!
I have recently had young people follow me into the outer vestibule and wait for me to use my key card. When I asked them if they had key cards, they said they didn't but were "staying with someone in the building." I refused to let them in and walked back to the street; however, I'm sure the next person going in or out let them in. Don't know what we can do about this kind of thing. I guess that's one of the reasons why doorman buildings are so desirable.
ReplyDelete2:14--"That person" is one of the nicest, sweetest, most community oriented people, who is respectful of all her neighbors, loves this place and is married to someone who was BORN here almost 50 years ago and lived here his entire life. Besides missing the whole irony of her joking comment, the fact that you are so rudely jeering her means you know nothing about this community and are not an old-timer. She is a far better neighbor and tenant than most of the people here, and represents the best of this community. You really need to back off on this one because you are really wrong about this person and would feel terrible if you met the person you were saying such rude things about.
ReplyDelete"I read on the TA fb that local locksmiths will not install private top locks in PCVST. Is that true? If my lock ever breaks, do I have to call someone from out of the area to install a new one?"
ReplyDeleteI have a Segal lock as my top lock. The whole lock doesn't have to be replaced, just the cylinder (and you can buy a new cylinder and keys at a hardware store). I watched an online video to see just how to change the cylinder, which isn't that easy unless you have four hands, but it can be done.
Yes, you need to be careful who you let into the building. However, apartments are being burglarized because management is providing master keys to contractors who are not being properly supervised or overseen by the joke that is called Public Safety.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the TA's Facebook page, now our terrorist, overseers Compass Rock & CW Capital are sending tenants legal notices demanding keys to top locks. These goons are EVIL. They have the nerve to do this knowing that MANY tenants here are on edge because of the thieving workman they hire and the unauthorized entries they are making into apartments.
ReplyDeleteMy advice for piggy-backing attempts, stop entry, call Security on the intercom and explain situation, will security respond? This maybe rude or a form of harassment, however I'd be interested in security's response.
ReplyDeleteI will not give the key to my top lock no matter what they do.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who gets a request for the key to the top lock, if they choose to comply, should give it with a letter saying that the key is for emergency use only and if it is used for any other purpose and if it results in damage, theft, or other unauthorized use, CW will be held liable in a court in the county of New York. Send the letter certified or registered to the head of security and/or tenant relations and keep a safe copy.
ReplyDeleteGive them the wrong key "by accident."
ReplyDeleteProfessional Tenant Abuser aka CWCAPITAL can shove their letter and my lock up their ass!
ReplyDelete8:47--you really do risk eviction. I am not siding with management, but by law, you do not own your unit, you have full property rights of a leaseholder, but not full ownership rights. So that means you can't keep the owner from having access to your unit, and believe me, the courts will evict you for that. "Let them try" and "shove my lock up their ass" are not really a valid defenses to a possession action. You really do need to be cooperative, though what happens if you "accidentally" give them the wrong key, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI'll take my chances on getting evicted. They are not getting my key.
ReplyDeleteI own the contents off unit and this management Cosby have proven to be recklessly careless, if not downright
ReplyDeletecorrupt. I will explain that to the judge and arrange to have a couple of pals in the news business be present.
Meant to say "management company."
ReplyDeleteDarn iPhone!
I'd send them a Medeco key. Wouldn't check to see if it fits.
ReplyDeleteFunny, they did fine without it for 45 years+, but I guess when you have a boxcar full of hobos living in half of your apartments, you gotta be careful !
Either give them the wrong key or give them the right key and then change the tumbler. If they ever complain that you duped them, then you know they tried to enter your apartment and they had better have a good explanation. I think there is probably some kind of "inside operation" going on and everybody better secure their homes until this place is sold and the current filth is out of here.
ReplyDelete"This is outrageous and unacceptable. That said, it's always better to err on the side of caution and lock up, hide, or remove from the apartment anything valuable or sensitive. A checkbook and other financial documents should never be accessible, and neither should jewelry or computers or similar items."
ReplyDeleteWith all respect, these are our homes, not hotel rooms. How can we make them as secure as you suggest without having to have some kind of vault installed and have to go through a big swoop of the apartment every time we leave? How can a desk top computer be locked up? We don't have that much closet space and the closets don't lock, anyway. We shouldn't have to live in such fear. We never did before CW/CR came on the scene.
"With all respect, these are our homes, not hotel rooms. How can we make them as secure as you suggest without having to have some kind of vault installed and have to go through a big swoop of the apartment every time we leave? How can a desk top computer be locked up? We don't have that much closet space and the closets don't lock, anyway. We shouldn't have to live in such fear. We never did before CW/CR came on the scene."
ReplyDeleteYes, the situation sucks. But if I were having work done in my apartment and couldn't be there, I would bury important stuff deep in a closet, put jewelry in a safe deposit box, or store it at a neighbor's. Obviously, this is for things like paint jobs or if you give permission to enter, not for every day.
"Yes, the situation sucks. But if I were having work done in my apartment and couldn't be there, I would bury important stuff deep in a closet, put jewelry in a safe deposit box, or store it at a neighbor's. Obviously, this is for things like paint jobs or if you give permission to enter, not for every day."
ReplyDeleteOh, ok! I thought you meant for every day. Sorry. Of course you are right. I would remove any and all valuable and important items if they were coming in to paint or do work that I couldn't be home for. Unfortunately, most of the banks don't rent safe deposit boxes any more, so I would have to take everything over to a friend's apartment and hope not to get mugged on the way over!
Okay, if you want to risk eviction, but you know that management is reading this blog and the FB page and has actually taken action in response (sometimes for the good, but are also aware of all our objections, posts, etc). I would not be surprised if there are random inspections of locks in response to people's defiant refusal to give management keys.
ReplyDeleteRE: package delivery people. The PCV UPS guy is a saint. We are lucky to have him. Great, hard working guy.
ReplyDeleteAug 21 @ 2:29 pm: you sound like a management employee.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteOkay, if you want to risk eviction, but you know that management is reading this blog and the FB page and has actually taken action in response (sometimes for the good, but are also aware of all our objections, posts, etc). I would not be surprised if there are random inspections of locks in response to people's defiant refusal to give management keys. August 21, 2013 at 2:29 PM"
LOL !! Are you freakin' kidding me ? Do you actually think they're going to walk around trying keys in 11,000 top locks ? Give me a break, and stop spreading your paranoia. Management doesn't really give a shit if you have a lock or not, they're just trying to keep a reign on safety issues for the boxcar full of hobos apartments, lest all 80 of them die in a fire together. Met never cared. In fact, they went out of their way to remind tenants to leave their top lock unlocked when they had a service appointment. Bunch of bullshit.
So here we have it now - in the substantially less than one year since CompassRock took over, the community has experienced five burglaries - as least as far as we know. And what do they and Security Chief McClellan, the leader of what appears to be a generally incompetent security force have to say about these burglaries which appear to have been committed by management's vendors and contractors who have been provided with master keys by management? Nothing other than to warn residents to lock their doors and now, more recently, a demand to turn over keys to locks installed by residents.
ReplyDeleteThe fish rots from the head down. Time to get rid of Bill, CompassRock and CW.
"The fish rots from the head down. Time to get rid of Bill, CompassRock and CW."
ReplyDeleteYou said it! BTW, does anyone else have to deal with the choking stench of skunk pot in their halls and stairwells? It is overwhelming at times and filters in under the doors and spaces between the door and door post.
Smelled skunk pot wafting in my windows a couple of nights ago. What a horrible smell.
ReplyDelete"Smelled skunk pot wafting in my windows a couple of nights ago. What a horrible smell."
ReplyDeleteWe are choking on it at 445. Most of it emanates from a two-bedroom on the second floor that houses five young guys. Management, if you are reading this, please take note. (Isn't this still against the law, btw?)
Re: skunk pot. Keep calling Security and get the name of the officer who shows up. They won't always respond, so keep calling and get other neighbors to call. Keep a record of the officers' names. Then report the situation to Tenant Relations (Donalda Habersham), complete with names and dates. Sometimes Security doesn't file a report, but you'll have the officers' names. It helps if you know who's responsible for the smell.
ReplyDelete"Re: skunk pot. Keep calling Security and get the name of the officer who shows up. They won't always respond, so keep calling and get other neighbors to call. Keep a record of the officers' names. Then report the situation to Tenant Relations (Donalda Habersham), complete with names and dates. Sometimes Security doesn't file a report, but you'll have the officers' names. It helps if you know who's responsible for the smell."
ReplyDeleteSecurity doesn't give a flying fuck and I can't say I blame them. They are understaffed, undertrained and underpaid. This is not the same Security we had when MetLife was the landlord.
The stench of the skunk pot is so bad that I start to gag when I get off the elevator. I have a rug pushed up to my door to try to keep it out because it really does smell like skunk! I've tried spraying the hall with Oust and with Lysol spray, but it doesn't help at all. I'm so sick of these stupid stoners forcing their neighbors to live with this stench. Maybe I should cook a pot of cabbage and leave it by their door! Or cabbage,sprouts, broccoli and fish!
ReplyDeletePot is nearly legal here. And if it's for medical purposes, you'll just have to deal with it. Move on .
ReplyDeleteI actually cooked cabbage and fish just the other night. It was delicious!
ReplyDeleteBEST ADVISE ON THIS PAGE -
ReplyDelete"Either give them the wrong key or give them the right key and then change the tumbler. If they ever complain that you duped them, then you know they tried to enter your apartment and they had better have a good explanation."
They WON'T have an explanation.And that will force them to drop the issue.
The more tenants who refuse to cooperate - the more difficult it will be for them to use the courts to enforce their demand.
An eviction of an otherwise "tenant in good standing" for not providing the top lock key is highly unlikely.They would have to first issues "orders to cure" - then start a court case vs. every tenant who did not provide a key - then deal with all the delays available to a tenant - fight those tenants who get lawyered up - and finally,HOPE they get a judge who would actually evict a tenant for this.In reality an NYC Housing Court judge would more likely issue repeated requests for the key,taking even more time,before they'd finally be pushed to evict an otherwise tenant-in-good-standing for witholding the key.
PS - Install a KEYLESS digital combination lock.A quality keyless lock can be had for 100-150.00
ReplyDeleteYou can provide them with a combination - then change it,or give them a fake combination,whatever.Changing combinations is easier than changing tumblers and therefore,it's also easier to accidentally "forget" to provide CR with the new combination,every time you change it.
Where do you get a KEYLESS digital combination lock in NYC?? Do tell!
ReplyDelete"PS - Install a KEYLESS digital combination lock.A quality keyless lock can be had for 100-150.00"
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
Dunno specifically where you can get one.Ask around the locksmith and hardware stores.
ReplyDeleteOn the Facebook page someone mentioned KEYSURE - an inexpensive sealed box that contains keys or combo numbers and must be broken to access the contents.A tenant can find out if management has entered without notification by occasionally inspecting the box.You can find them online for under ten bucks.
ReplyDeleteJohn Marsh advises tenants to send keys via certified mail,return receipt requested and with a letter specifying the keys are to used only in case of emergency [fire,flood].
Other contributors have suggested informing management that you keep your apartment under 24 hour "nanny-cam" surveillance.
I just got a letter from CW demanding a key for my top lock, quoting Multiple Dwelling law #51-c. This, one week after they tried to enter my apartment for an inspection when I told them they did not have permission to enter without me being there.Thank goodness for the top lock
ReplyDelete. I've already alerted the Tenants Assoc. and will be contacting them about the key issue too. I've lived here for 22 years and have always felt safe until recently. It's clear that they are not vetting/ bonding any of their subcontractors or employees as they did in the past. It's absurd to ask now, when they clearly cannot guarantee that our belongings will not be stolen by one of their employees or subcontractors.
Meanwhile, there must be some device that you can hook up to you door when you are not home that can alert you via smartphone if someone enters your apartment. Costly but worth it to feel safe.
As far as locksmiths not installing top locks-that is not true. What is true is that they cannot make copies of the Stuytown issued keys.