Flier at Irvine apartment complex calls out black residents for loud music

Saturday, May 30, 2015
Flier at Irvine apartment complex calls out black residents for loud music
A flier targeting black residents for their allegedly loud activities at an Irvine apartment complex is sparking an uproar.

IRVINE, Calif. -- A flier targeting black residents for their allegedly loud activities at an Irvine apartment complex is sparking an uproar.

The notice posted in an elevator reminds "African-American residents to keep conversation volume down and reduce music levels."

"That is ridiculous!" one resident said.

The residents who found the flyers did not want to identify themselves, but told Eyewitness News they all attend UC Irvine.

The company who owns the property released a statement denying involvement: "It was not created or posted by an employee of Equity Residential. We are outraged by the content and are investigating the matter."

Friends of those who found the flyer say they believe management was involved.

"The notice came out on a letterhead that specifically had the people who run Toscana, Equity Apartments on it," another resident said.

Other black residents said they've dealt with similar issues in the past.

I've had "multiple friends who've had encounters with security here who completely badger black students and black people who live here," said a resident, who did not want to be identified.

Management declined to address those claims.

On Friday, the fliers had been taken down, but some residents say that's not enough to fix what happened.

"We still need answers and we want to know what they're going to do," one resident said.