Residents Deal with Troubles at Varsity Place

TYLER — A beating and robbery Tuesday morning at Varsity Place Apartments is the latest in a recent series of violent incidents near UT Tyler. Tyler police officer Don Martin says while officers patrol Varsity Place when they can, it would be up to the complex corporation to bring in its own 24-hour security. Our news partner KETK called the corporate office and got an automated machine saying someone would try to call back within two days. But for some, that’s just too late.

Former resident Kyle Money says living in Varsity Place was a nightmare. He said there were two shootings at the complex while he was living there, and “you’re always watching your back.” He adds that a lot of non-students live there, and “they’re just messing it up for the people who are students who just want to go here to UT and just get a good education.” Money says he tried to break his contract and was even willing to pay the fees, but he couldn’t find someone to cover his lease. Lack of safety is not listed among reasons to break your contract without penalty. The only reasons are family violence, sexual assault, and military deployment.