“The Crime Free program WORKS.”

“Our Executive, City Council, and Police Commission recognize and acknowledge this program as a success in policing and crime prevention!”

Crime Free Multi-Housing has been in Edmonton for over 12 years. It is widely accepted and supported by not-for-profit, government-subsidized, and private property management companies. By the end of 2012, we will have over 250 active, fully certified properties, along with another 100 in various stages of certification. We are accountable to over 16,000 families in our city. We have been part of the Annual Policing Plan for the past 3 years; our Executive, City Council, and Police Commission recognize and acknowledge this program as a success in policing and crime prevention! The Crime Free program works largely because of the strong relationships, trust, and mutual respect developed between the Police, property owners and managers, and tenants.

“Our reductions in calls for service are a little over 75% — 95% to 99% in some former gangland complexes that are now family-oriented communities.”

I have been actively working the CFMH Program since 1995 and helped build the Riverside program from the ground up. Tim Zehring and the City of Mesa were there from the start to lend a helping hand. Our reductions in calls for service are a little over 75%. 95% to 99% in some of our gangland apartment complexes that have been turned into family-oriented communities because of this program. I have a Mayor and a City Council that stand behind this program 100% — they have seen first-hand what it can accomplish.

“On average, we see a 50% to 60% decrease in crime in our certified properties. The program works.”

We are a low- to mid-income city of 98,000 people, 60 percent of whom live in one of our 950 apartment communities. When nothing worked to reduce calls, we brought in the Crime Free Programs. That was in 1997. Since then we have certified 117 apartment communities, 6 mobile home parks and two hotel/motels, with more than 200 rental properties in the three-phase program. On average, we see a 50% to 60% decrease in crime in our certified properties. The program works. Tim and the Mesa Police Department could have taken this program and made a lot of money from it, but they didn’t. Their goal has simply been to help communities reduce crime.

“Prior to the program we had lots of break-ins at self-storage facilities. Since it started, we have not had a single break-in! My chief is amazed.”

I would like to give you an update on our crime free self-storage program. It has been a tremendous success. Sixty-one percent of our self-storage facilities are participating. The amazing part is this: prior to implementing the program, we were having lots of break-ins to self-storage facilities. Since the program started in the fall of 2004, we have not had a single break-in! My chief is amazed and impressed!

“Our program was evaluated by Mankato State University — an overall reduction in calls for service and crimes of over 36%.”

The City of Champlin has been running the program since 1997. It has worked for our city of 23,000. The training we received from the Mesa Police Department was the spark we needed. We had our program evaluated by Mankato State University and the results were an overall reduction to calls for service and crimes by over 36%.

“A five-year study with Simon Fraser University: Crime Free properties experience half the number of calls per unit of those not involved.”

Crime Free Multi-Housing is celebrating 10 years in New Westminster, British Columbia. With the assistance of a criminology student from Simon Fraser University, we produced a five-year study of calls for police service to certified Crime Free properties versus those not yet involved. The results speak for themselves – Crime Free properties experience half the number of calls per unit than those not involved.

“I have seen first-hand how a crime-ridden apartment complex can be turned into a livable, virtually CRIME FREE community.”

I have been a Police Officer for 14 years, the first 12 with the NYPD. Tim, what you have developed is nothing short of amazing. I have seen first-hand how a crime-ridden apartment complex can be turned into a livable, virtually CRIME FREE community. The managers, residents, and patrol cops love the program. The Crime Free program is a win-win situation for all. You’re never alone if you choose to implement it — there is always someone within the Crime Free community who can assist you.

“The Crime Free Programs ARE the most successful crime prevention education programs currently available in the world.”

The Crime Free Programs ARE the most successful crime prevention education programs currently available in the world. In Kansas City, the pilot program we started has had a great impact on our crime rate and on the perception of the police within those communities. No city is ‘left out to dry’ after the initial set-up. We have been able to ‘sell’ our police board and now they refer people to us!

“Our worst property went from 940 calls and 126 arrests in 2001 to 604 calls and 26 arrests in 2003.”

In 1999, Columbia sent four officers to Mesa, Arizona to be trained. We have trained around 500 people in phase 1 and have numerous fully certified properties. Our worst property had 940 calls for service and 126 arrests in 2001; it was down to 604 calls and 26 arrests in 2003. Calls stayed high because residents now know they can call the police and action will be taken. Our hotels are much safer, and there is a great partnership between the police and the lodging association.

“I speak on behalf of the 233 Crime Free Communities in our program. The Crime Free Program works!”

As President of the Riverside Crime Free Managers’ Association, I speak on behalf of the 233 Crime Free Communities in our program. The Crime Free Program works! The Riverside Police Department has made it the most important program this department has, and said so in both the Chief’s Annual Report and the department’s Strategic Plan. Every police department, not only in the United States but internationally, should create a Crime Free Program.

“We have seen a dramatic decrease — up to 60% at some locations — in calls for service at apartment complexes.”

Based on the model established by the City of Mesa, we have seen a dramatic decrease (up to 60% at some locations) in calls for service at apartment complexes. The crime rates are lower and quality of life has gone up. When a string of vandalism hit near one of our Crime Free locations, it was as if the floodgates of information opened up — the community manager spread the word, and we obtained the last piece of the puzzle to identify our vandal.

“At our ‘worst’ complex, with aggressive application and close partnership with management, we achieved a 78% reduction in calls for service.”

We reduced calls for service and nuisance complaints on average 37% based on our 2002 study. At our ‘worst’ complex, we instituted very aggressive application of the program and close partnership with the managers and owners and achieved a 78% reduction in calls for service! Success depends on the level of commitment from the police agency and full application of the program by management.

“City-wide we reduced calls for service at affected properties about 40% — well over 60% at one problem community.”

Our program is patrol-based, using district and community policing officers to build partnerships and follow up with managers. City-wide we have reduced police calls for service in the affected properties about 40%. In one problematic apartment community the reduction over two years was well over 60%. If we had not brought the program in, I can safely say we would be fighting a losing battle.

“Since implementing the Crime Free addendum, call volume in our multi-family areas has dropped tremendously.”

Before the program, there was not a day or night without fight calls, often involving weapons. Since my return from the conference and the implementation of the Crime Free addendum, our call volume in multi-family areas has dropped tremendously. Landlords and managers are following through and enforcing the rules. As the City of Mesa is the birthplace of the program, I often look to them for help because I know I will get it, even 2,000 miles away.

“Extremely successful in reducing calls for service to our multi-housing communities — as much as 60% at one property.”

We have had the program for 6 years and have found it to be extremely successful in reducing calls for service to our multi-housing communities — by as much as 60% at one property. A great partnership has been built between our department and the managers and owners of rental properties. Managers pass information to our Narcotics and Detective units that has helped solve cases.

“We used to respond to our local hotel 5 to 10 times a week. Now it may be once or twice a month.”

We had a huge problem at our local hotel — it was nothing to respond 5 to 10 times a week for stolen vehicles, drug and prostitution arrests, disturbances and domestics. We implemented the Crime Free Hotel/Motel program. At present, we may respond to the hotel once or twice a month. This program has been great!

“This is the best program that I have seen in 28 years of police service.”

The Crime Free Program is very successful in Edmonton and is accepted by the community as a positive improvement for safety and reduction in crime at multi-family communities. The benefit is seen by all parties that participate. This is the best program that I have seen in 28 years of police service.

“One of the most valuable of all programs initiated in the last ten years for our city.”

This program is one of the most valuable of all programs initiated in the last ten years for our city. As Area Commander of more than thirty square miles and over a hundred thousand people, I personally relied on the Crime Free program to manage criminal activity within apartment communities. Every city should develop a Crime Free program.

“Last year, calls for service among participating properties were reduced approximately 27%.”

Modesto has had the Crime Free Multi-Housing program since 2000, including a duplex/triplex/four-plex program. It continues to reduce calls for service to multi-family communities. Last year, calls for service among participating properties were reduced approximately 27%.

“We believe in this program so much that we are starting the Hotel/Motel program this fall.”

In Henrico County, the Police Department and apartment managers are very happy with the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, and it grows each year. Other Virginia jurisdictions are asking us to teach it. Our community officers have seen a drop in calls for service in active communities. We believe in this program so much that we are starting the Hotel/Motel program this fall.

“Having that support and experience “on call” silenced the critics and helped carry the day.”

Thank you to all the Board members and the hundreds of agencies for their practical advice, support and encouragement. When it looked like we might need testimony at State hearings, you were ALL there. Having that support and experience ‘on call’ silenced the critics and helped carry the day. Our district voted unanimously to start a crime free housing program — the success stories from other areas are the BEST advertisement!

“The Chief, officers, residents and managers praise Crime Free.”

Crime Free has been great for us in Waite Park, a city of about 7,000 where roughly 60% of the population rents. The Chief, officers, residents and managers praise Crime Free. Officers like knowing they can bring me a problem unit and I will forward it to the manager. The problems we had are a lot less!

“One complex here has reduced its calls for service by over 55%.”

Crime Free is a program that is outstanding and really works. One example here is a complex that has reduced its calls for service by over 55%. Remember: the program is only as good as the support your city and officers give it.