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What is the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program? - The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (CFMHP) is designed to help residents, owners and managers of apartments keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property.  The Arizona Multihousing Association is a co-founder and strong supporter of this crime-fighting program. The program demonstrates a good faith effort to learn about illegal activity, address community security concerns and educate residents about crime prevention.

CFMHP is in over 500 American and Canadian cities in 37 states and two Canadian provinces.

PROGRAM  BENEFITS - CFMHP can provide measurable benefits to participating communities:

• Increased property  value for owners.
• Fewer vacant apartment units.
• Less property damage.
• Lower maintenance and operating costs.
• Better appeal to present and future residents.
• Stronger resident retention with less tenant turnover.
• Better relations with both residents and the surrounding neighborhood.

CRIME FREE LEASE ADDENDUM - The addendum is a legal agreement between the resident and apartment community to keep illegal activity off the property.  It states tenants or their guests will not engage in illegal activity on the premises, including--but not limited to--drug activity. In the event a resident or a guest of the resident violates the addendum, the law allows the property manager to serve the resident with a 24-hour eviction notice.

THREE - STAGE  PROGRAM - Phase 1)  Apartment managers and maintenance supervisors undergo eight hours of classroom training by the local police agency.  Among subjects covered are applicant screening, criminal background checks, use of the Crime Free Lease Addendum, eviction procedures and property security improvements.  Additionally, information on local gangs and drug activity is provided along with presentations by the fire department and an attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant issues.

Phase 2)  The program coordinator will inspect the property from a security viewpoint.  The detailed checklist includes:

• Dead bolt locks and viewpoints on doors.
• Secondary locks on doors and  windows.
• Landscape maintained to reduce criminal hiding areas.
• Proper outdoor lighting, which must illuminate yards, walkways and  parking areas.

Phase 3)  This phase requires residents to attend a minimum of one community event per year on their property.  The event covers crime prevention tips and  encourages  neighbors to be aware of suspicious activity. 

PROGRAM CERTIFICATION - After completing each phase, a certificate is given to the property manager by the program coordinator.

Once a community completes all three phases, it is certified as a full member of CFMH Program.  The designation, which is renewable annually, entitles the property to display exterior signs indicating its participation in the police-endorsed activity.  Managers also can use the program logo on all their advertising, stationary and business cards.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM & INFORMATION - ARIZONA MULTIHOUSING ASSOCIATION - It is the statewide non-profit trade organization for Arizona’s apartment and rental-housing industry.  Membership includes 1,500 property managers, developers and owners of apartment communities.  Together they account for about 185,000 housing units or almost 50 percent of all rental housing of two or more units in Arizona.  Also included in membership are over 400 vendors and suppliers to the Multihousing industry.

P.L.E.A.S.E.- Prevent Leasing Employee Assault and Sexual Endangerment is an education seminar sponsored by the Arizona Multihousing Association.  It provides Multihousing personnel with information on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations and reduce the chances of a sexual assault.

FAX NET 1- It is a non-profit community network of law enforcement agencies, apartment communities, retail outlets, banks, hotels, neighborhood associations, convenience markets, hospitals, shopping malls and office buildings.  Utilizing a fax machine, the network issues crime alerts about on-going area incidents to assist in the identification and capture of suspects.

CFMHP DISCOUNT SUPPLIER PROGRAM- Arizona Multihousing Association associate members who participate offer special pricing for a variety of goods and services needed to become certified in the crime-fighting program.  Items include: dead bolt locks, view holes, window and sliding door locks, security lighting, strike plates and screws and landscaping services.  For a list of participating AMA associate members, contact the AMA office (602) 224-0135 or 800-326-6403.

For more information, contact The Chandler Police Department’s CFMHP coordinator: Ofc. Reed at 782-4962.