Fences and surveillance technology certainly can be important in keeping criminals out of a place. But human law enforcement personnel are essential to get the job done.

No, we are not referring to the border between the United States and Mexico. The topic at hand is apartment complexes operated by the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Keeping criminals out of JMHA apartments and cracking down on those who find their way in has been an ongoing challenge. Authority board members were told this week that more help may be needed to curb illegal drug activity.

JMHA Security Chief Joe Buchmelter cited recent drug arrests at public housing complexes. “These arrests led to information that there may be more going on there than we were previously aware of,” he said.

Buchmelter also discussed an incident in which a bullet was fired into a JMHA apartment. The resident was not the target, however; it appears the gunfire involved someone on the street. A stray bullet went into the apartment.

In order to crack down on crime at housing complexes, Buchmelter recommended the JMHA contract with off-duty police officers and sheriff’s deputies to provide additional security.

At that point, authority Executive Director Melody McClurg noted the JMHA has applied for a grant to install new surveillance systems and fencing.

If the grant is received, new hardware will help somewhat. But by itself, it is not enough. There is no substitute for boots on the ground.

If finances permit, the authority should take Buchmelter’s advice and beef up security at complexes where an uptick in crime is detected. Law-abiding residents of JMHA facilities should not have to put up with violent criminals — especially not with the danger of being collateral damage in a shootout.