University of South Carolina students living in off-campus apartments face crime in their complexes daily, and with numerous reports of shootings, violence and break-ins, many students are questioning their safety.

Thomas Saboe is a junior who lives at Garnet Crossing, off Bluff Road, south of the school. Recently, he and his three roommates experienced crime firsthand.

“We were standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden someone just walked in saying he was here to check out his room,” Saboe said. “We had an empty room, so we thought he might have been legit, until we went to management and they said no one was supposed to move in.”

The next day, the same individual returned with his stuff to move in. However, this time, no one was home, and all doors were locked. When Saboe and his roommate arrived home, they saw the man climbing through the bedroom window, which they suspected he had unlocked the previous day.

They walked to a nearby neighbor’s house and quickly called 911 while watching the house from the front door Ring Camera. The cops arrived within 10 minutes and detained the man.

Caroline Estock and Hannah Matters were two of the neighbors who witnessed the break-in.

“Hearing about crime in the other places didn’t worry me before,” Estock said. “Once it was next to our house, it was scarier because it was affecting me.”

“My parents got me a taser and pepper spray after it happened,” Matters said. “We even took Krav Maga (self-defense) classes.”

Saboe said he thinks that for big complexes, security is an issue.

“The gate is open all day so anyone can enter,” he said. “I think that maybe parking passes, a better gate system or even someone sitting at the gate could make security stronger.”

Nina Lowman, property manager for Garnet Crossing, said the complex has implemented new security measures to address any issues.

“Since taking over management of the property in mid-2024, we have implemented a number of proactive security measures to enhance safety throughout the community,” Lowman said. “We have partnered with Signal 88 Security to provide after-hours security coverage, with roaming patrols on property seven days a week from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.”

Lowman said the company also has introduced a new access management system that allows for monitored entry of both residents and guests.

“Each cottage at Garnet Crossing is also equipped with individually coded electronic locks, adding an additional layer of protection and accountability,” Lowman said. “We remain committed to maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for all residents and visitors.”

Some complexes, such as Redpoint Columbia, have started using a guard at the security gate. Redpoint has seen numerous crimes, including a fatal shooting this past May and another shooting that left two injured in September.

The security guard from AP Professional Security said she was assigned to Redpoint after the shooting in September.

USC is paying attention. Even though these apartments complexes are off-campus housing, the vast majority of the renters are USC students.

Collyn Taylor, USC’s internal communications manager, said the school is working closely with apartment owners and managers.

“The university doesn’t have any jurisdiction over off-campus housing complexes, however we encourage (students) to take appropriate safety measures while at off-campus housing like traveling together and making sure doors or locked and properly is safely secured when students aren’t home,” Taylor said.

Taylor also said the school provides resources to allow students to see which off-campus housing most fits their needs.

“Our USC Law Enforcement Division posts crime bulletins when students need to be made aware of emerging safety issues and text messaging services for situations that pose an immediate danger,” he said. “We’ve done so to warn about high crime areas in the proximity of campus, including specific apartment complexes that may cater to students.”

Saboe said even though Garnet Crossing was efficient in getting the trespasser removed from the property, he knows he and his roommates need to take security measures themselves.

“We installed another camera on the back door, we keep all of our doors locked at all times, even when we are all home, and we decided to split rent on the extra bedroom downstairs,” he said. “We don’t want to take any chances.”