‘My kids are scared’: Milwaukee tenant raises safety concerns over basement squatters
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A Milwaukee tenant says unauthorized people have been entering her apartment building’s basement for months, raising concerns about safety for residents and their children.
Monica Wilkins, who lives at a Berrada Properties building near 72nd Street and Silver Spring Drive, says people have repeatedly been entering and staying in the basement.
“Renting from a place like this is terrible,” Wilkins said.
She says the activity has left her children feeling scared.
“It was people running in and out the building. They were partying down there. My kids were always scared,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins says the problem goes beyond people gathering in the basement. She alleges some people have been using drugs and keeping various items inside.
“They’re down there doing drugs. They had pipes down there, a hot plate, TVs,” Wilkins said.
“They found more than five to six people down there sometimes. It’s close to 10, and it’s like, who are these people?” she added.
Wilkins says management has removed people from the basement, but she claims they continue to return.
“Somebody is letting them in or they are forcing it open by themselves,” Wilkins said.
She wants management to take additional steps to improve security and prevent unauthorized people from entering the building.
“Get some badges so you know who’s coming in and out. Get cameras so you can know what’s going on,” Wilkins said.
She also has a warning for others considering renting from the property management company.
“Do not go to Berrada because it’s not safe,” Wilkins said.
CBS 58 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and Berrada Properties for comment and to ask what can be done to address the concerns. We have not heard back.
