Crime Free Multi Housing
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Crime Free Lease Addendum (English)          

Crime Free Newsletter - Fall 2007


                  

Crime Free Multi-Housing
Working to keep criminal activity out of rental property.

What is Crime Free Multi-Housing?
Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) is a program designed to make multi-family dwellings safe and desirable places to live. CFMH is pro-property manager, pro-resident, and anti-crime.

The program uses a unique three-phase approach that ensures resident friendly techniques will be applied to maintain crime prevention goals. The three components that make up the program are:
1. Management training
2. Security assessment
3. Resident training/crime watch

Benefits of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program

Management Benefits:

  • A stable, more satisfied resident 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, managers, and owners
  • More time for routine management and less time on crisis control
  • More appreciative neighbors

Law Enforcement Benefits:

  • Tried and true crime prevention methods
  • Proven drop in calls for service by up to 67%
  • Improved quality of life for the community at large
  • Teaches property managers and residents how to work with police and neighbors to keep drugs and other illegal activity out of rental property
  • A community oriented policing approach to crime prevention.

THE THREE PHASES OF THE PROGRAM
Phase One – Management training (Day One training)
Resident managers (and/or property owners) attend an eight-hour seminar presented by police, fire, public housing and others.

Managers learn:

  • Use crime prevention on their property
  • Benefits of applicant screening
  • Tips to strengthen rental agreements
  • How to become a proactive property manager
  • How to maintain a fire safe environment
  • The warning signs of drug activity
  • Actions to take if they suspect illegal activity on their property
  • The role of the police
  • Crisis resolution and the eviction process
  • In order to be a Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Coordinator, you must attend the above training plus a "Day 2" training.

Phase Two – Security Assessment
This phase will certify that the rental property has met the security requirements for the tenant's safety, which include:

  • Single cylinder dead bolt locks
  • Security strike plates with 3—inch screws
  • Door viewers (peep holes)
  • Windows with adequate locks and anti-lift/anti-remove mechanisms for sliding doors
  • Adequate security lighting

Phase Three – Resident Training
A meeting is held for the residents where crime watch and crime prevention techniques are discussed. The police, resident managers and residents work together to promote a "community." Topics discussed include:

  • Personal safety tips
  • Using 9-1-1
  • Being proactive and getting to know your neighbors
  • Operation Identification

How Do I Get Started?
Contact Joe Cordie (320) 650-3681 to get on the Crime Free Multi-Housing State Task Force mailing list (a committee of the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association) or check the Training and Events Calendar for upcoming day one and day two training dates.