The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is a state-of-the-art, crime prevention program designed to reduce crime, drugs, and gangs on apartment properties. This program was successfully developed at the Mesa Arizona Police Department in 1992. The International Crime Free Multi-Housing Program has spread to nearly 2,000 cities in 44 U.S. states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico, England, Finland, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Puerto Rico. Australia has also expressed an interest in adopting the program. The program consists of three phases that must be completed under the supervision of the local police department. Property managers can become individually certified after completing training in each phase and the property becomes certified upon successful completion of all three phases. The anticipated benefits are reduced police calls for service, a more stable resident base, and reduced exposure to civil liability. 

Training Coordinators

The program begins with the training of police officers who will administer the program in their jurisdiction. Each Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator receives 24-hours of intensive training and becomes certified as an instructor of the program. The Crime Free Program Coordinators return to their cities and begin the provide training and certify apartment properties in their community. Fully certified properties have reported reductions in police calls for service up to 70% over previous years.

Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Benefits

 A stable, more satisfied tenant base. Increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management.

• Lower maintenance and repair costs. Increased property values.
• Improved personal safety for tenants, landlords and managers.

Costs of Drug Activity in Rental Property

When drug criminals and other destructive tenants operate out of rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. That price may include:

• Decline in property values -- particularly when the activity begins affecting the reputation of the neighborhood.
• Property damage arising from abuse, retaliation, or neglect; property damage from police raids
• Fire resulting from manufacturing or growing operations. Civil penalties, including temporary closure of the property -- or even property seizure. Loss of rent during the eviction and repair periods.
• Fear and frustration when dealing with dangerous and threatening tenants. Increased resentment and anger between neighbors and property managers.
• The loss of other valued tenants.  

Phase I - Management Training (8-hours)
Taught by the Police 

• Crime Prevention Theory
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (Physical Security)
• Benefits of Resident Screening
• Lease Agreements and Eviction Issues
• Crime Free Lease Addendum
• Key Control and Master Key Use
• On-Going Security Management Monitoring and Responding to Criminal Activity
• Gangs, Drugs Activity, and Crime Prevention
• Legal Warnings, Notices & Evictions Working Smarter with the Police, Fire and Life Safety Training Community Awareness

Phase II - CPTED - Survey by the Police 

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Survey (CPTED)
• Minimum door, window, and lock standards compliance inspection
• Minimum exterior lighting standards evaluation
• Key Control procedures evaluation
• Landscape maintenance standards compliance

Phase III - Crime Prevention Partnership with Managers 

• Annual crime prevention social taught by property management and police
• Community awareness and continuous participation is encouraged
• Monthly Apartment Manager Meetings

Full certification (gold certificate) permits the right to post the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program sign and advertise membership in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program in the print media using the official logo. This certificate expires every year unless renewed following compliance with Phases I & II.