Student high-rise management to hold sensitivity training for tenants

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The management company that runs a student housing development in midtown has issued a stern letter to its residents after hearing reports of rowdy and "disturbing" behavior.

The Islamic Center of Tucson, which is located right at the base of the high rise tower, called Sol Y Luna, has reported at least three incidents of students throwing glass bottles onto their parking lot and roof since school has begun.

Footage provided by the Islamic Center of Tucson:

This has been an ongoing issue for about two years.

Staff at the Islamic center said students have also thrown eggs, trash and yelled racial slurs at the kids playing basketball on the courts below.

The former management company responded by issuing a $1,000 fine against any student who engaged in such behavior.

Eight students have been evicted in the past two years.

The new management company, GMH Capital Partners, based out of Newtown, PA, said they plan to follow in the old company's footsteps.

Rand Ginsburg, the Senior Vice President of Asset Services for the company, said they have a no tolerance policy for such behavior.

A letter was issued to every resident living in the building on Thursday, Jan. 21.

The letter states that in event of abuse, GMH reserves the right to "secure the balcony door so that residents and their guests could not access the balcony."

The letter also states that property management plans to hold a town-hall meeting to address these issues directly, and plans to offer sensitivity training for all residents within the near future.

Councilman Steve Kozachik said he had spoken to the management, and was working to arrange a meeting.

"I think there ought to be evictions again to set the tone that we're not putting up with this crap," he said. "The real answer to this though, in my world is the peer influence. Setting some kind of self governance structure on site, like an RA in a dorm, a hierarchy of kids who will self police."

He said it is was disturbing to hear the news about the acts taking place once again, but feels relieved after talking to property managers.

"I was really troubled when you and I spoke about yet another out-of-state property management firm you know, flipping properties again, but they understand that this is at best criminal endangerment, reckless endangerment," Kozachik said.

Tucson News Now has learned that police plan to review surveillance footage around the building, and if anyone is caught throwing things off the balcony, criminal sanctions will be pursued.

Mahmoud Obagi, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Tucson, said he is glad to see action being taken.

"Our main hope is that all this stops, just to protect the safety of everyone. I hope this does send a strong message. If it does require them to lock balconies or be evicted, I hope it doesn't come to that, but I hope they do take those actions," Obagi said.