Residents surrounding the neighborhood on Forest Avenue have
launched complaints about increased crime since the opening of Monarch 716, a 500-bed
housing complex.
The nine-building complex located on 100 Forest Ave., opened
in the summer of 2017 to serve college students and others.
Between Sept. 19, 2017 and March 18, 242 incidents have been
reported, according to crimereports.com. Armed robberies, stabbings, and gun
shots are the main crimes reported to the Buffalo police.
Neighbors complain of people loitering, playing loud music
and the need for police calls on a weekly basis.
“I have lived here for 25 years and the value of this
neighborhood has decreased since Monarch has arrived. I have two kids and I
don’t feel comfortable with the amount of times the police are here and the
amount of crimes I’ve seen reported in the news,” Sandra James, resident of Danforth Street, said.
Monarch 716 residents have tried to get out of their contracts
due to the unsafe environment.
“Residents have complained lack of security and that has
resulted in what we call apartment abandonment,” Savannah Morgan, Monarch 716
leasing agent said.
Many students signed up to live at the property from
surrounding colleges including SUNY Buffalo State, Medaille and Canisius,
although there are also non-student residents.
By Tiffany Channer and Kai Lewis
