Resident accusations against other residents

I work in a smaller very close-knit community (clicky). We have a certain group of residents that get VERY involved in what goes on around the community. They also have a very good way of setting panic loose throughout.
Recently, they have made remarks to staff and other residents regarding a new move in. This particular move in served the country and actually was a POW. He is a very kind man that was very excited about coming into our community. He stopped in the office today in tears, to tell us that he did not feel welcome and that he would only be leaving his apartment when absolutely necessary. He said that multiple children have told him they were told to stay away from him because he will "hurt" them. We have had this accusation come up in the past, but the residents came to us about it.
We are at a loss. We know where the rumors are coming from, but this is a VERY delicate situation. How would you all approach this situation?

*All of our residents have to pass a nationwide criminal background check. No felonies are approved and certain misdemeanors.

Maybe you can make the resident a subject of an article in your monthly resident newsletter. Highlight all of the amazing things he has done and seen. Welcome him to the community and encourage everyone to thank him for his service. Basically, do a little PR work on his behalf. It will make him feel better and also might cause people to treat him better.

I would have to agree. Maybe you can start a resident of the month if he does not want to be singled out.

Perhaps a meet your new neighbors pizza party?

I think the ideas are good. I am more concerned about the process that has allowed a group of residents to intimidate your community. This may be an opportunity to establish a better complaint resolution process as part of your "resident handbook". This could include how the complainant is required to conduct themselves as management seeks to resolve the issue. Distribute this to all residents so as not to finger point at anyone in particular. At the end of the day, you cannot allow residents to dictate how your community is managed. Requiring respectful & responsible behavior as part of the lease agreement benefits everyone in the community. You need to fix the underlying problem or this will continue.

I agree with Jim. Approaching this in a way that would single him out I believe would cause more issues and the gossip mill will retaliate as such. A pizza party will only result in the accusers showing up while the accused sits in his home or if the accused shows up then the other might possibly leave causing more of an issue. These individuals feel as though they already know this gentleman and having a slice of pizza with him probably isn't going to change much.

I think personally it is time to send a letter to the accusers and express your concern and would like to see evidence of what they are saying about this gentleman. Be on their side, and if they can't prove evidence against this gentleman and it's merely hearsay then you need to advise them of the community rules of allowing everyone to have peaceful enjoyment of their homes and if they continue to slander this gentleman there can be legal ramifications for it. This gentleman has rights, under the law, that he could pursue.

Gossip happens in every community but when the gossip is slanderous it's unlawful. The only other advice I have is to protect yourself do not release any information regarding this gentleman, even if you think you are helping him. His information is protected and all answers should be generalized in nature... "we qualify every resident the same way, a nationwide background check is performed and we follow very strict guidelines, here is a copy of our Tenant Screening Criteria" Should you not have a written tenant screening criteria I would consider suggesting this to your corporate office, it protects you from discrimnation as well as cases such as this.

We have all been there and in some cases these namecallers are not always wrong. Many times, the crimes are commited before they can reach the screening companies and they slip through the cracks... your screening company is only as good as their employees who contact the courts regularly.

This is a delicate and serious issue and there are a lot of good ideas provided in the feedback. However, working toward a hopeful resolution will require you to implement many of the same principles used in restorative justice. You will have to understand the root of the actual conflict just as much as "where [the gossip is] coming from."

Find out why it's coming up and what sorts of feelings your residents are acting from. At this point I would certainly avoid making the new resident the center of any attention (pizza party, etc.). Although positively intended, this would result in him being in a very vulnerable position, leaving him subject to additional pain and trauma (re-victimization).

As a victim (and that is what he is in this situation)his best interest needs to kept at heart, for his sake. At the same time, all of the stakeholders (members of your community, including you and your team) have valid feelings and concerns that may need to be discussed and worked through. It's true that legal issues could easily rise up in a situation like this, so turning a blind eye isn't an option; and a legal remedy would most definitely result in a winner and a loser and not do much for the notion of true community.

I would begin with some shuttle mediation, where a third party would literally "shuttle" between the group of concerned residents, possibly you and your team and the victim. Find out out how the victim is feeling and how the residents are feeling (if everyone involved is in agreement to participate). An open dialogue needs to happen before anything else can. A professional mediator is worth considering (not a lawyer, but a person with specialized training in conflict management; maybe community conflict and/or bullying). Some cities and counties in some states provide these types of service for reduced cost, or you may want to check with universities in your area that have academic programs in conflict studies and/or dispute resolution.

To add to the discussion, in similar circumstances there may be fair housing issues involved as well. That is likely not the case with this particular scenario (unless this community is in a locality where "military status" is protected). If for example, residents were shunning a resident and telling others that he will "hurt them" and that can be shown to be based on such things as race, color, or national origin, then some courts have held that a landlord may be responsible for "neighbor v. neighbor" harassment or discrimination.

I have never responded before but I was wondering whether or not this was a reaction
by your residents to a veteran with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD has
been in the headlines in some cases where veterans were in need of treatment and either
had not sought treatment or did not receive proper treatment. Presumptive PTSD with
veterans by members of a residential community seems highly unusual. Not all veterans
with PTSD are dangerous and most are more likely out of a sense of hopelessness to
harm themselves rather than harm anyone else. This seems a case of mass hysteria and
misinformation. It is not clear to me what behavior incited this reaction by your
residents. Management should investigate and address this issue first. Some veterans
with PTSD display a range of behaviors that can easily be misinterpreted. I would
suggest that if this residents' reaction relates in any way to PTSD, perhaps you can
consult with The American Legion, VA, or there may be a VA PTSD Center in your local
area. It seems this resident who is a veteran is very fragile and I would be considerate
of the potential consequences of management's response and the reaction of the residents
at your property can be very serious.