Do You Know Who Is At Your Door?

As the numbers of seniors increase in population, we see ads for independent living communities: Enjoy a Resort-Like Living Environment Graciousness and Hospitality Throughout Each Day in a Warm, Residential Environment Fine Restaurant-type Dining Carefree Lifestyle Tailored to Your Needs Who wouldn’t want this for a residence? Unfortunately, one important feature is not mentioned: security. This oversight gave a murderer access to over a dozen women in four different independent living establishments in Collin and Dallas Counties, from April 2016 to his eventual arrest in March 2018. He posed as a maintenance worker and unsuspecting residents opened their door to him believing they were safe in their apartment at their establishment. As we learned our loved ones had been murdered, we became aware how this predator gained access to the vulnerable. On a recent tour of an independent living establishment, assurances were made that garage entry was secure with the gate down, unless residents entered, or a staff member was monitoring the open gate. Sure enough, the gate was up, entry into the garage was easily accessible and there was no staff in sight. In those instances, residents should be advised not to open their door unless they know who […]