; , Tru-deau a I be a in a at Claim Lack of Tenants Of Poor By GERARD WEIDMANN Tenants of the Cambridge apartment complex where Jane Britton was found slain in her bed complained bitterly today of the poor security and especially the lack of locks on the front doors of the building. The structure Is owned by Harvard University and managed for them by R. M. Bradley & Co., Inc. Harvard acquired the property in April, 1967, four years after Boston University student Beverly Samans was murdered in her apartment in the same building. . William Ryan, supervisor of housing code for the city of Cambridge who recently completed a survey of the University rd. apartment complex, said he is demanding that R. M. Bradley or. Harvard put locks on the vestibule door that can be operated with a key. He said there are locks on the doors but they are broken. Henry H. Cutler, Harvard manager for taxes, insurance and real estate, said he had received no complaints directly and that no pressure had been put on R. M. Bradley since immediately after the 1963 murder. Following a consultation with Bradley officials this morning, Cutler said, "The people seem to be happy. No pressure has been put on Bradley." Cutler further commented ' that inspections of the property by Bradley people have shown that at least a third of the .tenants keep their doors unlocked as a convenience. But the tenants tell a different story. Stephen and Carol Presser, the couple living across the hall from Miss Britton, in discussing the locks and security situation, said, "We certainly don't like the setup. "People have been asking for locks on the front doors and an intercom system." The Pressers stated that the front door has no lock and the vestibule door lock control buttons have been removed. SECURITY The couple said they have been told that Harvard maintains this building is more secure than any other building in Cambridge. "They've simply ignored our complaints." The Pressers quoted Bradley's building supervisor, Patrick Joyce, as saying he has been after Harvard to put locks on the front doors. Mrs. Presser said, "Window sashes are so rotten that burglar locks fall right off." She told of an incident when her neighbor climbed out on a fire escape and easily forced open a window to the Presser apartment to release her pet cat. GAS LEAK . "Jane thought she . had a gas leak," Mrs. Presser said speaking of the murder victim, "that's why we kept one of her windows open. Jane's door was so warped that she couldn't lock it properly. The police last night had to slam it eight or nine times before they could get it tP lock." Locks Complain Security Mrs. Presser said the Mitchells, next-door neighbors of Miss Britton, had an arrangement . with the victim. Because of no fire escape in their apartment they kept a key to Jane's apartment so they could use her fire escape. ' The Presser woman said a recent letter from Cutler informing them he was reviewing their rent schedule caused tenants to keep up their complaints regarding security. Neil Weinstein, who sublets an apartment on the second floor, said he has three locks on his apartment door but joined the Pressers in their criticism of the window sashes and locks. A woman tenant on the first floor declined to discuss '"security of her apartment ' but was critical of the front , : door situation. I' ' ncruscs fWSCNtS KIRK DOUGLAS gfvM "THE BROTHERHOOD ft lECMNlCOtW HHMMOWWlillE ASTOE CONTINUOUS SHOWINGS IT .-12-2- 5-l-lQ P.M. POORS OPEN BIIY9:5 M HiHHflriMilMttfl DAVID NIVEN Shown at 2, 4, 6, S, 10 . WAITER REAOE THEATRE 'pSiarlEsciKM U"5CnnbridtiSl 227-2832 Boiton (mm Gov. Ctr.) htnerth her kx core a desperate desire to hue- r"Birds in Peru" !!g!-g!L'.'Mlg!!''. MM COLOR M 35. 1:JS 3:3$ 5:35 7:3 J 35 PREVIEW TONITE 8:30 OPENS THURS. 7:30 EDWARD ALBEE'S "Everything in the Garden" Tel. Res. DE 8-9393 1 LI 2-3325 76th Season II BURTON HOLMES Tw!uw Personally presented by Robt. MaMett T,?pT .JOHN HANCOCK HALL. IAN. I Mentis 2.25, Z.50 THURSDAY 9 Bottoi's loagest running kow the Proposition topical, satiric!, moslcml reva RKS. 87S-U08 Out of Town Ticket Aiency I BabertVtfaiMer- DKKCtark Dana vrsi A PA to u
