As the self-storage industry permeates our communities, it receives increasing attention from mainstream media outletsand not always favorably. As industry professionals, we should be aware of how self-storage is presented to the public. Media Watch is devoted to policing and summarizing general news coverage.

Storage Booms in Wyoming Town 

From The News-Record, 5.6.06 

People looking for extra room to stash their stuff in Gilette, Wyo., may be out of luck. In early May, nine out of 10 storage facilities in Gillette comprising about 2,000 units were available. Almost all facilities reported they had been at full capacity for well over six months. A shortage of housing and the number of people being recruited into Gillette to work the overabundance of jobs means storage is sorely needed.

Storage Accidentally Sells Heirlooms 

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4.21.06 

A Smyrna, Ga., couple who rented space at a Public Storage facility said the company mistakenly auctioned off their possessions, including most of their wedding gifts, family heirlooms and sports equipment valued at $25,000. The district manager at the facility said the company made a mistake when it auctioned off the items instead of the unit next to the couples. A Public Storage spokesman said the company is looking into the matter.

Vandals Damage Vehicles at Facility 

From The Chicago Tribune, 6.28.06 

At least 15 vehicles, including sport-utility and recreational vehicles and a tow truck, were vandalized or burglarized at the U-Store-It in Des Plaines, Ill., police said. Police reported the vandalism and break-ins occurred when thieves appeared to have entered by crawling under a fence. The facility has surveillance cameras, though large RVs blocked some of them, according to the police report.

Arson Damages Storage Units 

From The Ledger, 6.5.06 

The Florida State Fire Marshals Office is investigating whether arson was the cause of a fire that damaged a business and 16 units at a neighboring self-storage rental business. Someone broke into Florida Heating and Cooling in Winter Haven, Fla., and intentionally set it on fire. Much of the property inside the R.K. Rentals & Properties storage complex was destroyed or damaged by smoke.

Grenades Found at Storage Facility 

From CBS4 Boston, 5.10.06 

There was an unusual scare at EZ Storage in Natick, Mass., when workers found what looked like a bag of grenades while cleaning out an abandoned unit. The state police bomb squad suspected the grenades werent live, but as a precaution carted them to the Natick gravel pit where they were destroyed. Police still havent located the man who initially rented the unit.

Police Dogs Used as Crime Deterrent 

From The Bismarck Tribune, 5.13.06 

Fred Kraft, owner of Northland Storage in Mandan, N.D., (population 16,969) said he will let K-9 law enforcement units exercise their dogs at his establishment. Kraft said he heard about other self-storage businesses across the country with similar programs and felt the measure could prevent crime at his 570-unit facility. Security Self Storage of Fargo, N.D., already brings in police dogs on occasion, said Kraft, whos also the president of the North Dakota Self-Storage Association.

Rape Victim Gets $150,000 Settlement From Storage Company 

From The Roanoke Times, 6.7.06 

Three W Corp., owner of 1st Security Self-Storage in Roanoke County, Va., agreed to pay $150,000 to the family of a 15-year-old girl who was raped and sodomized at the facility. The former manager of the store was convicted of the crimes and sentenced to 130 years in prison. A month after Egans conviction, the girls family filed a $1.35 million lawsuit against the self-storage facility where the girl was molested.

Moose Say Yes to Storage 

From The Chicago Tribune, 6.16.06 

A plan for a new Moose lodge in Elgin, Ill., that also incorporates self-storage, office, warehouse and industrial space has been approved by the city council. The buildings design features brick, wainscoting and architectural accents in pre-cast concrete.

Meth Dealer Dies in Storage 

From The Mobile Register, 6.21.06 

A Theodore, Ala., man burned to death when the methamphetamine lab he was operating in a locked unit at Delta Self Storage apparently exploded and he could not escape, authorities said. The mans former wife told investigators she had locked him inside so that he could cook meth.

Gamblers Bid on Action at Storage Auction 

From The Journal News, 6.14.06 

Eight or so treasure hunters recently gathered outside Highland Self-Storage in Peekskill, N.Y. The occasion was an event that is becoming more commonplace as self-storage operations pop up in the Lower Hudson Valley. Highland was auctioning the contents of 14 units on which the rent had gone unpaid for months. The tenants had received telephone calls and letters over a two- to three-month period. Finally, the facility sent registered and certified letters and ran a legal notice in the local paper. Most times they dont have the money, or they got so far behind they dont attempt to catch up, said the manager.

Military Device Found in Storage 

From The Monterey County Herald, 5.16.06 

Representatives from a bomb squad were called to Salinas, Calif., the day after the discovery of a suspicious device at Rossi Self Storage Center, Moffett, Calif. The device turned out to be a live 81-mm infrared illumination cartridge used by the military for launching over a target to provide light. The bomb squad removed and destroyed the mechanism.

Storage Holds First Annual Garage Sale 

From Lassen County News, 5.9.06 

Skyline Self Storage, Lassen County, Calif., hosted its first annual garage sale in May providing an opportunity for the local community to shop and sell at the same location. Several local vendors and current tenants used their storage units like a garage.