I have been a resident of Arcadia Cove for 2 years and have experience racism/harassment for the third time last night by the security guys. If you have some time please read this as I would be as detailed as I can because this has reached a tipping point.
First Incident:
The first incident occurred the first week I moved in here while I was still offloading my property from my car to move into my new apartment. A security guy approached me and asked if I lived here and to identify myself/apartment number. I identified my self/residence and proceeded to ask if there were any issues. He said there was no issues except some kids were throwing rocks at cars and he just wanted to verify that the correct people live here. Ok I am a black man in mid 30's and don't fit the profile of kids throwing rocks at cars. Also he saw me moving my furniture from my car so If I don't live here I am not sure I will be moving my properties in a random apartment.
Second Incident:
I had a guest visiting from out of town and I took my guest to the swimming pool of the apartment complex. Before you enter or exit the swimming pool area you will need a key to open the gate. After spending some time at the pool we decided to leave. On our way out a security guy walked ahead of us and was about to open the gate but decided to put his keys back in his pocket. He asked if we had the keys and I said yes. I brought out my key and opened the gate; he then asked if I lived here which again I identified myself and residence. I asked him if there was any issues, he said there was no issues except he was only trying to get acquainted with the neighbors. Ok I have the key to the pool as a resident and I am sure he meant getting acquainted only with the minority neighbors.
Third Incident:
A friend (a black man) was dropping me off in his car last night and we were having a conversation quietly in the car when the apartment security guy started to flash the flash light on us rudely from a distance. He approached us and asked if we lived here. I told him that I am a resident and he asked for some identification. I refused to identify myself this time because I have been asked several times in the past and I asked if there were any issues. He said that he wants to make sure there are no suspicious activities going on. He asked if we had any weapons or drugs and that he wants to make sure that the vehicle was not stolen. We told him that we had no drugs, weapons and it was not a stolen vehicle. I showed him my gate clicker and asked if he knew what it was and he said that he has never seen that before which is ridiculous and embarrassing coming from a security officer that is supposed to be protecting the apartment residents. He then told us that we need to carry our conversation to our apartment or his will call the police. We reminded him that we have the right to have our conversation privately in our car as long as we are not playing any loud music or disturbing the residence in any way and that he is welcome to run our plate number if he wants. He then got on his radio and started to dispatch the police describing us as two suspicious black men in a suspicious vehicle. Sounds like a typical description that would attract the police faster as he continued to rudely flash the light on our eyes even after we told him several times to kindly stop harassing us. He continued to interrupt our conversation and threatening that he can either do this the easy way of he can get the police involved. His supervisor officer Crosby eventually showed up and told us that we can carry our conversation in the car conflicting what his predecessor told us earlier. He was also able to verify my residency through my drivers' license as well as the gate clicker which the other officer didn't know what it was. Even after identifying myself to officer Crosby, they both decided to park next to us for few more minutes until our conversation was over in the car and I went back to my apartment then they left. WOW!!
To cut the story short, if you are a minority or someone against racism and residents harassment, you should run as far as you can away from Arcadia Cove Apartment. No one should EVER experience this type of humiliation at any residence in America and Arcadia Cove Apartments (MEB management services) have crossed the line this time.