By Natalie Brand
KPSP Local 2 News
It's a nationwide program designed to keep apartment communities crime-free. Palm Springs is the latest city to get on board with the "Crime Free Multi-Housing" Program which started in 1992 and has been reported to cut crime by as much as 70% in some communities across the country.
Over twenty property managers in Palm Springs began training Wednesday the start of a three-phase process to become certified.
Among those participating will be George Burl who manages Whispering Palms in Palm Springs. He's already taken steps to cut down on crime at the complex from installing gates to making residents sign an agreement to stay crime free. If tenants or their visitors are found to be involved in anything illegal they could be subject to eviction.
"It eliminates a lot of problems with tenants. If they're doing something wrong then we're going to get rid of them" said Burl. He said police used to get up to 50 calls a month out of this complex. He says the latest stats from January show only 12 calls.
Tenants say they've noticed the complex is much improved.
"I think it's changed a lot for the better" said Richard Alms. "I just want to make sure that people are safe and that I'm safe and that my dogs are safe."
"Certain complexes generate a lot of calls for police service. Calls for service drain our limited resources" said Community Police Officer Steve Williams of the Palm Springs Police Department.
Williams said as part of the Crime Free program tenants will be screened and given credit and criminal history checks.
He said apartments need to do their job as well maintaining the landscape securing the property with locking gates keeping it well lit etc. Police will survey the apartment complexes and meet with tenants before handing out a Crime Free Multi Housing Certificate.
Training for property managers will begin at 8am Wednesday at the Palm Springs Police Department. Dozens of apartment complexes across the Valley already participate in the program. In Indio it's required for new complexes.
For more information about the program you can visit:
http://www.crime-free-association.org/multi-housing.htm
