Executive Summary
- Altamonte Springs has 58% renter-occupied housing—significantly higher than the national average—with apartment complexes concentrated along the Wymore Road corridor and near I-4.
- Q3 2025 police data shows that large multifamily communities along the Wymore Road corridor and near I-4 account for a disproportionate share of citywide incident reports—several individual complexes logged 9–11 incidents in just three months.
- Common issues include vehicle break-ins in parking areas, package theft, assault incidents, and unauthorized access—all addressable through structured security presence.
- A site-specific security plan with documented post orders, regular patrol routes, and clear escalation procedures reduces incidents and demonstrates due diligence to residents and insurers.
Why Apartment Security Matters in Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs is a rental-heavy market. With roughly 20,679 occupied housing units and 58% renter-occupied, the city has more apartment dwellers than homeowners. Many of these complexes were built in the 1970s–1990s, meaning aging infrastructure, older access control systems, and parking layouts that weren’t designed with modern security concerns in mind.
The result shows up in police data. The Altamonte Springs Police Department’s Q3 2025 Community Crime Report tracks incidents by community. Large apartment complexes along the Wymore Road corridor and near I-4 consistently show higher incident counts than other areas—several properties recorded 9–11 incidents in just three months, including vehicle thefts, assaults, and car break-ins concentrated in parking areas.
Beyond statistics, real incidents underscore the need for professional security. In March 2025, a shooting at Boca Vista Apartments left two people injured after an altercation in the parking area. Officers found multiple vehicles with bullet holes. While extreme, this event reflects a pattern: parking lots and common areas at apartments are frequent sites for confrontations, thefts, and drug-related activity.
What We Actually See at Altamonte Apartment Communities
Based on our patrol logs and incident reports from Seminole County apartment contracts, the most common issues we encounter include:
Vehicle-Related Crime
Parking lot break-ins remain the top property crime at most apartment complexes. Thieves target cars parked in poorly lit areas, near back buildings, or close to perimeter exits. We see spikes late at night (1–4 AM) and during weekday mornings when residents are at work.
Unauthorized Access
Tailgating through gates, propped doors, and broken access control systems allow non-residents onto the property. This creates liability for management and increases the pool of potential offenders on-site.
Package Theft
With more residents ordering online, package theft from doorsteps and mail areas has increased. Complexes without secure package lockers or consistent security presence see higher theft rates.
Domestic and Interpersonal Disputes
Simple and aggravated assaults frequently stem from disputes between residents, guests, or former partners. A visible security presence can de-escalate situations before they become violent.
Trespassing and Loitering
Non-residents using amenities, sleeping in stairwells, or conducting drug transactions in common areas create safety concerns and quality-of-life complaints from paying tenants.
Our Approach: How We Secure Apartment Communities
Learn more about our full apartment and HOA security services or read on for our process.
Step 1: Site Walk and Risk Assessment
Before placing a single guard, we conduct a comprehensive site walk using ASIS Security Risk Assessment methodology. We document entry/exit points, lighting conditions, camera coverage gaps, parking layout, building access points, and high-traffic areas. For Altamonte properties, we also review any available police incident data for the specific complex.
Step 2: Customized Post Orders
Post orders are the written instructions that tell guards exactly what to do, where to patrol, when to check specific areas, and how to respond to incidents. Generic security doesn’t work—a 400-unit complex near Wymore Road needs different coverage than a boutique community near Cranes Roost. We draft post orders specific to your property’s layout, risk profile, and management priorities.
Step 3: Guard Placement and Patrol Patterns
Depending on your needs, we provide:
- Fixed-post guards at gates or leasing offices during high-traffic hours
- Roving foot patrol through buildings, parking areas, and amenity spaces
- Vehicle patrol for larger properties with multiple entry points
Patrol routes are designed to cover high-risk areas (parking lots, back buildings, pool/gym) at unpredictable intervals. Predictable patrols let offenders time their activity; randomized routes don’t.
Step 4: Guard Tour Technology and Reporting
Our guards use electronic tour verification systems that timestamp their location throughout each shift. You receive reports showing exactly where guards patrolled and when. Incident reports are filed within 24 hours and include documentation for insurance and legal purposes.
Step 5: Escalation and Emergency Response
Clear escalation protocols define when guards contact on-site management, when they call our 24/7 dispatch, and when they involve law enforcement. Our officers are private security professionals, not law enforcement. When a situation requires police response, we coordinate with Altamonte Springs PD under your policies and our escalation procedures. For Altamonte Springs properties, we maintain working relationships with local law enforcement and can help establish trespass agreements when needed.
Staffing and Licensing Requirements
All Two Friends Security officers hold a valid Florida Class D Security Officer License, which requires 40 hours of training per Florida Statute 493.6303. For properties that require armed security—typically those with documented violent incidents or high-value assets—we provide Class G licensed officers who complete an additional 28 hours of statewide firearm training through FDACS.
Most Altamonte apartment communities are well-served by unarmed security. Armed guards are appropriate when the threat profile justifies it—for example, properties with repeat violent incidents or those adjacent to high-crime commercial areas. We’ll help you determine the right fit during the risk assessment.
What Success Looks Like
We measure effectiveness through:
- Incident frequency: Tracking the number and severity of incidents over time. A well-implemented security program typically shows measurable reductions within 60–90 days.
- Response time: How quickly guards respond to calls from residents or management.
- Patrol completion: Verified through electronic tour systems—ensuring guards actually cover the property as planned.
- Resident feedback: Complaints about safety concerns, loitering, or unauthorized individuals should decrease.
Example: At one Seminole County apartment complex (name withheld), vehicle break-ins dropped from 8 reported incidents in Q1 to 2 incidents in Q2 after we implemented nightly parking lot patrols with randomized routes and improved lighting recommendations.
We don’t promise a “crime-free” property—no one can. What we do promise is a documented, Florida-compliant security program that reduces risk and demonstrates clear due diligence to residents, ownership, and insurers.
Buyer Checklist: Questions to Ask Any Security Provider
Before signing a contract, ask these questions:
- Do you conduct a site-specific risk assessment before proposing coverage?
- Will I receive written post orders customized to my property?
- How do you verify guard patrol routes (electronic tour systems, GPS tracking)?
- What are your escalation procedures for different incident types?
- Are all officers Class D licensed? Do you provide Class G (armed) officers if needed?
- How quickly can you respond to schedule changes or emergency coverage requests?
- What reporting do I receive, and how often?
- Can you provide references from other apartment communities in Central Florida?
Get a Security Plan for Your Property
Two Friends Security provides apartment security services throughout Orlando and within a 55-mile radius, including Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, and the greater Seminole County area. We’re available 24/7 and can typically begin coverage within 48–72 hours of contract signing.
Call (407) 953-1290 to schedule a free site walk and risk assessment, or request a consultation online.
Sources
News 6 – Boca Vista Apartments Shooting (March 2025)
Altamonte Springs Police Department, Community Crime Report Q3 2025
Florida Statutes Chapter 493 – Security Officer Licensing
FDACS – Private Security Licenses and Class G Firearm Requirements
