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The sounds of construction fill the winter air surrounding Kent State’s campus, as construction workers build three new apartment complexes for thousands of potential student renters.

But these apartments aren’t the only things being built.

Management teams are constructing Safety and security plans for each new apartment complex.

Here’s the breakdown of the safety plan:

– The Province on East Summit and Morris Rd. is a 596-resident facility. The Province declined an interview because of corporate policy, but they plan to have 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week on-site management and supervision. They are still working on a full security plan.

– University Oaks on Golden Oaks Dr. is a 520-resident facility and, also, plans to have 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week on-site management and supervision. I spoke with Jason Swierczynski, the manager of University Oaks, via phone interview.

“We’re going to actually have someone who is on call 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. So, if there is a situation at night that occurs, we recommend that our residents call the police. We will, also, have someone who they can follow up with afterwards where they could call and respond to quickly,” says Swierczynski.

– University Edge on Rhodes Rd., a 608-resident facility, declined an interview because of corporate policy, but they plan to have 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week on-site management and supervision and are working on a full security plan.

Officer Michquel Penn, the Community Resources Officer for the Kent State University Police Department, recommends scoping out the area before signing a lease.

“Look at the environmental things. Look to find out what the lighting is like outside,” Penn says.

Penn points out that landscaping around the apartments should be checked out as well because possible attackers could hide in tall shrubbery.

Penn, also, says it’s key that apartment management take the initiative to protect their residents.

“If it’s a priority for you, you want to make sure it’s one of the top things that your rental office or the management is concerned with as well,” says Penn.

Contact Mike Holden at [email protected].