This may be a stupid question, but...
By Amber
@AmbiePam (92714)
United States
November 20, 2008 10:42pm CST
Okay, let's see if I can explain this well. Last Saturday morning I stepped outside my apartment at 5am. Yes, I had an early start. : ) A foot from my door was a pool of blood. I saw it and dismissed it, thinking surely it was a beverage someone had spilled. Where I live, there are only two apartments on the sub level I'm at. The one across from me is vacant, so it is just me down there.
So as I turn to go up the stairs, there are drops of blood going to the stairs, which are about five feet away from my door. Up the steps the blood continues in little droplets. On the fifth step there is a 6 inch spread of blood on the stair, and half of it is saturated a deep crimson. It has run down the side of the stair, and I can see handprints in blood going up the stairs to the level about me. The railing has blood on it, and then small drops of blood go all the way to the top of the stairs. Then they stop.
Whatever happened, occurred between 10pm last Friday night and 5am when I stepped outside last Saturday morning. Obviously it had to be at least a while before 5am or I would have heard it. My thinking is someone was either stabbed, or their nose was broken in a fight. The blood could not be from a simple nosebleed, but it could be the result of a gushing broken nose.
I contacted the apartment staff and told them about it. They never said anything else. Some of you may think why didn't I call the police. Well, there was no evidence of anything. The police can't go on a blood trail that eventually goes nowhere anyone can see. No crime has been reported or the staff of the apartment would have been informed. There is no basis for calling the police. Trust me, I'm up on what I can and cannot do. 
I've asked them all week to do something about the blood. I said if they corporate head honchos came they would clean it up. So I think they should clean it up although I'm the only one who lives down there. It was so nice walking my mom down to my apartment and telling her to watch the blood 'to her right'. 
I'm not being unreasonable right? This may be stupid, but the apartment complex is supposed to clean that up, right? I haven't mentioned this all week because it is just really weird to try to explain. But I don't think I'm responsible for it, nor do I think it is sanitary to keep it on the concrete.
I've asked them all week to do something about the blood. I said if they corporate head honchos came they would clean it up. So I think they should clean it up although I'm the only one who lives down there. It was so nice walking my mom down to my apartment and telling her to watch the blood 'to her right'.
I'm not being unreasonable right? This may be stupid, but the apartment complex is supposed to clean that up, right? I haven't mentioned this all week because it is just really weird to try to explain. But I don't think I'm responsible for it, nor do I think it is sanitary to keep it on the concrete.8 people like this
31 responses
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
21 Nov 08
What if the blood were tainted with the AIDS virus, Hepatitis, etc.? That is a health hazard!! I would call the health officials. I do not know what it is called in your state but I would report it. And yes, they should clean it up.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (92714)
• United States
21 Nov 08
That is what I was thinking, the HIV thing. I am thinking if they don't clean it up next week I should contact the Housing Authority in my area. Just beacuse the blood has dried doesn't mean it is dangerous. Surely the apartment manager knows that.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Yes the health department of your city or the CDC should be called
as well to see what can be done etc for all safety of people that
may come in contact with the dried blood.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@rjbass (1422)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I totally agree with you and your request is very reasonable. The blood may be an eyesore but more important, it could be a serious health risk to anyone who comes in contact with it. I would certainly hound the building management to get in cleaned up ASAP. Have you talked with other residents and neighbors? They should help talk with management as well.
I'm not telling you to go overboard but if it comes down to it I would suggest taking pictures of the affected areas and keeping a log of when you contacted the management company. I'm sure the local health department and housing authority could mandate a cleanup.
Just my thoughts 
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Pictures are definitely a good idea. The apartment should clean it up. In the event that you end up doing it, if you just give up, use straight peroxide and just pour it on and watch it foam away.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
21 Nov 08
YIKES!
I myself would check with the city as far as the respopnsible person/party for cleaning the stairs at a public apartment complex. Unless it's a home that you rent. But if they are the ones responsible to clean it then I say wroite them and call them keeping a record/copy of the contact you have about it being cleaned in a timely =fashion. Then if your city l;aw permits you can clean it and bill the responsible party for your time etc to do their chore/job. I've done a lot of caretaking and apartment management so I know your rights actually. Most cities will do what I've stated actually. You can either bill them or deduct it from the rent due if your laws allow it that is. Good luck also.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
I myself would check with the city as far as the respopnsible person/party for cleaning the stairs at a public apartment complex. Unless it's a home that you rent. But if they are the ones responsible to clean it then I say wroite them and call them keeping a record/copy of the contact you have about it being cleaned in a timely =fashion. Then if your city l;aw permits you can clean it and bill the responsible party for your time etc to do their chore/job. I've done a lot of caretaking and apartment management so I know your rights actually. Most cities will do what I've stated actually. You can either bill them or deduct it from the rent due if your laws allow it that is. Good luck also.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Nov 08
You are certainly cool about seeing all that blood. I would have freaked (I have a vivid imagination and watch too many CSI shows). I would searching for a body, animal or human and called the police.
2 people like this
@busyB4 (874)
• United States
21 Nov 08
That is really strange. I think I would have called the police too! There could be a crime not yet found that this could be the clues to. Then I would be afraid if this happened later and you had not reported that they might question you as to why you didn't call, as if you were a suspect. That is how I would feel about it.
It is up to the complex maintenance to clean it up and I think all the suggestions above are very good. I would think that it could be enforced quicker if you do the things they suggested. Good luck and hope you get it cleaned up soon!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92714)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I wasn't calm the day I found it. I went to my parent's house to bring them over. I wanted to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. But my dad was so calm about it that I guess I just decided to keep cool.
My city is too big for me to call the police over a trail of blood that just goes up the stairs, and then stops. If someone were hurt, the apartment manager would be the first to know. The police give them reports in person when something happens over there. And I did search the area for anything or anybody. But the way my apartment is, if there were a body, it would have been found. And because the amount of blood was not life threatening, I know the police would have just said it could be a bad nose bleed, yada yada.
1 person likes this
@glords (2614)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I agree it is not your responsibility. It is very scary though, it sounds like something illegal might have been happening right outside your door. I would be freaked out. If it were me I would either spray it down with some type of cleaner or cover it up with something. Though its not your responsibility I would just hate to have to look at it every day.
@AmbiePam (92714)
• United States
21 Nov 08
My apartment faces some woods. So it would be easy for a fight to happen, and a person could flee through the stairs in my direction pretty easily.
It doesn't surprise me that it was on a weekend because those are the rowdiest nights. You know, by looking at my apartment complex by day, no one would ever think anything like that would be going on.
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
21 Nov 08
If it doesn't get cleaned up call your city officials. Blood is a hazardous body fluid and should not be left on the pathway to someone's living space. If your city officials don't do something about it call a news channel. You should not have to maneuver around someone else's body fluids as you make your way to your home. Make enough stink over it and they will clean it up.
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
23 Dec 08
I am applauded that the apartment staff did not immediately sanitize the area. You department of health would be interested in that as this is a major concern in that some diseases and some fatal are blood borne.
Someone needs to clean that up immediately. I am shaking my head in disbelief.
Embarrassed for you when you walked your mom to your place.
I'd contact the health department.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
22 Nov 08
there must be a health board call the city inspectors, they will be the apartment owner clean it up.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
21 Nov 08
It is not your job to clean it. I would report this to the city or police.
One week is long enough and it is huge health hazard with blood not clean.
Apartment building owner is responsible for cleaning, not you.
2 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
21 Nov 08
That would be nasty and a bit scary to me. Worse we had here was someone trying to open our door at 1 am and when my hubby went to the door they were gone but he saw flashlights at the neighbors house. We never did figure out what was going on. As for your issue they should be cleaning that up right away. You could call the health inspector i would think as that is bodily fluids and considered a hazerdous material.
1 person likes this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
22 Nov 08
No problem i know how it is you cant bug the cops for everything.
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
22 Nov 08
You are so right. They are responsible to clean it up. If I were you I wouldn't be
touching it because of aids and all. I would keep complaining till it gets cleaned.
I would call the owners if the caretaker doesn't do it. And if it still doesn't get
cleaned up I would put in a complaint with the rental board. This kind of thing can't
be tolerated as it is very unsafe. Make sure you don't touch the blood.
Aren't you afraid of living somewhere where there may have been a stabbing. You think
it was from a fight. Are there a lot of fights in your building or is this an isolated
case? I wouldn't be too happy about it, if it were me.
Alrighty then, talk to you later my friend,
Have a good day, Chris 
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
22 Nov 08
Glad to hear that no one was seriously hurt. I am a chicken and I couldn't live somewhere
like you do. I would be too afraid to step out. It is a good thing that you aren't
afraid, my friend.
1 person likes this
@theonerm5 (365)
• United States
21 Nov 08
You really need to get that blood properly cleaned up and wash yourself good afterwards. That blood could be hazardous to your health because it could contain any number of diseases including aids. You need to ask any people that might live with you if they have been bleeding. Also you might want to ask neighbors if they heard any screaming, gunshots, or noticed any kind of strange activity going on at your house.
@AcousticSoul (1309)
• United States
21 Nov 08
You should contact the owners of where you live if the stuff is un willing to get rid of the blood you pay rent and you have the right to a clean inviornment. plus blood is a hazard to you kids, pets or anyone else. if the health deparment was to come they would be in big trouble its just not right... call corporate and file a complaint. Even though the police maybe be able to do anything about it they should still be informed just incase a murder pops up later on at least they could link it back to where it may have started
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Well maybe now is the time to call the police....or someone in authority...they should have cleaned it up by now. I call that very unsanitary! It would bother me to have it still on the steps. Maybe though there is a reason they are not cleaning it up....in case something is found out in the next week or so....and they would be destroying evidence?
1 person likes this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I probably would have called the cops anyway. And where I live, they would have come to at least document the blood...in case they find out about a missing person later.
Now, I'd call the health department. The apartment management is definitely responsible for cleaning up blood. They should have had their employees educated in the proper way to do that.
1 person likes this
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
21 Nov 08
That's strange, I think I would be a little uncomfortable knowing that something happened that resulted in blood so close to where I live. Maybe the staff knows what happened, since they did not seem to concerned.
As far as cleaning the blood up, that should have been done ASAP. Since you do not know how it got there or who it came from if not a good thing. I hope it is cleaned up soon. In the mean time, try to be careful and not get any of it on you.
1 person likes this
@julise (494)
• Indonesia
21 Nov 08
Do you mean its a fresh blood??? WOW!!!
Can you find out who's blod it is?
Is there any serial killer or anything there?
I cant believe the part that the blood is there.
If the police already check it, and they are ok for you to clean it up, then just clean it up, and forget about it. Coz its kinda horor for me.
