Crime Free Multi-Housing - Voluntary Program

Voluntary Program

The Department's Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program is a Voluntary crime-prevention program targeted toward larger apartment complexes and owners of multiple housing units within the City of Hagerstown. This program serves as an enhancement to the City's basic Crime-Free Housing program mandated as of 2014. For more information on the mandatory program visit our Crime-Free Housing & Excessive Use of City Services page by clicking here.

To learn more about the successful Crime-Free Multi-Housing (Voluntary) Program we encourage you review the below information or contact the program administrator Lt. John Lehman at jlehman@hagerstownpd.org or direct at 301-797-6408.

To register for our Next Crime-Free Multi-Housing Training Class click here.

Participating Properties

The Bradford Apartments
Bethel Gardens Apartments
Pangborn Heights Apartments
823-825 Virginia Ave.
336 Sunbrook Dr.
1008-1010 Mulberry Ave.
532 Salem Ave.
38-40 E. North Ave.
228-230 Westside Ave.
256 S. Potomac Street
744 Spruce Street
105 Bryan Place
40 Wayside Ave.
828-830 Virginia Ave.
650, 654, 658, 660 N. Prospect St.
Cortland Apartments

More coming soon. . .

Background

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 expressed 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 law enforcement agency coordinators 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 provided 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. The heart and soul of the program is in the correct implementation and use of the Crime Free Lease Addendum.

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 manager

Costs of Drug Activity In Rental Property

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

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 tenant

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

Crime Prevention Theory

CPTED Theory (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, drug 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 - Community Awareness Training

Annual crime prevention social taught by property management and police
Community awareness and continuous participation is encouraged
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.