UBCM COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS
BEST PRACTICES CATEGORY
BY-LAW & LICENSING DEPARTMENT
CRIME FREE MULTIHOUSING PROGRAM
2006 UBCM COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS: ENTRY FOR BEST PRACTICES CATEGORY BY THE CITY OF SURREY
Project Summary
In 2004 the City of Surrey Bylaw & Licensing Services launched the Crime Free MultiHousing ("CFMH") Program. A number of areas throughout the City were identified as to the need for such a Program and priority in assisting the RCMP (Surrey Police Department) keeping illegal activity out of rental properties.
The CFMH Program is a proactive tool to keep illegal activity out of rental, cooperative and strata properties through multimedia, police services, city and municipal involvement and housing rental associations.
The purpose of CFMH is to assist police agencies in BC with their implementation and development of the CFMH Program by:
· Setting minimum standards
· Providing CFMH Program education
· Maintaining Program integrity
The Program has three phases:
Phase One – Resident managers, apartment owners, residents and police attend an eight hour training course facilitated by Surrey Bylaw Services, the Residential Tenancy Branch and other apartment managers. A certificate is awarded upon completion.
Phase Two – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
We currently have seven Bylaw Officers fully trained in CPTED. The police conduct what is commonly referred to as a security inspection of the property. There are minimum requirements that the apartments must meet.
· Dead bolts installed properly on all units
· Eye viewers
· Adequate lighting
· Antilift devices on all sliding windows and doors, as well as secondary locks
· Landscaping trimmed back allowing for natural surveillance of the property
· Proper access controls into the building
· Territorial issues (keeping the building safe/presentable, i.e. no graffiti, litter)
A red certificate is issued when the apartment satisfies all the CPTED requirements.
Phase Three – Safety Social
Building managers hold a safety social inviting all residents to attend. Bylaw Officers with the assistance of police and fire services attend and present information on crime prevention, personal safety, security and community building. The CFMH Program is also explained. This social must be held once a year to maintain membership in the Program.
A blue certificate is issued after completion of this phase along with a Crime Free MultiHousing sign displayed on the property.
Currently of the 339 apartment buildings in the City, 255 are involved in the CFMH Program; 24 are at Phase One; 184 are at Phase Two and 47 are fully certified.
Project Overview
The City currently has in excess of over 500 RCMP Officers under contract for policing in the City. This represents the largest RCMP detachment in Canada. Each year the City has added to the compliment to meet the increased policing needs and the overall growth in the City. These additional officers only meet the growth and do not necessarily meet the increased policing presence and crime reduction.
The CFMH Program was initiated to assist our policing services in their mechanism to impede crime and vandalism throughout the City.
Crime Free MultiHousing Program – Impact in the Whalley Area
· 53 apartments/four plexes with a total of 2824 rental units identified
· 36 apartments involved in the CFMH Program, 15 completed Phase One, 15 adopted principles of PhaseTwo, 6 fully certified and 17 not involved in the CFMH Program
· 50 security assessments (CPTED) conducted
· Seven district meetings held with an average of 20 apartment managers attending
· In 2003 there were 2595 calls and in 2004 there were 2399 calls – a 13% reduction in calls for service
Crime Free MultiHousing Program – Impact in the Guildford Area
· 27 apartments/four plexes with a total of 2832 rental units identified
· 21 apartment involved in the CFMH Program, 17 adopted principles of PhaseTwo, 6 fully certified and 6 not involved in the CFMH Program
· 73 security assessments (CPTED) conducted
· Five district meetings held with an average of 25 apartment managers attending
· In 2003 there were 2041 calls and in 2004 there were 2113 calls – an 4% increase in calls for service
Crime Free Multi-Housing Program – Impact in the Newton Area
· 25 apartments/four plexes with a total of 1810 rental units identified
· 17 apartments involved in the CFMH Program, 4 are at PhaseOne, 10 adopted principles of PhaseTwo, 3 fully certified and 8 not involved in the CFMH Program
· 63 security assessments (CPTED) conducted
· Five district meetings held with an average of 25 apartment managers attending
· In 2003 there were 846 calls and in 2004 there were 756 calls – a 9.4% reduction in calls for service
Both the Surrey RCMP and City Council support the CFMH Program full and encourage owners of rental apartment buildings to implement the concepts. There is no cost, other than the upgrades the building may require, and membership in this program includes the following benefits:
· Signage for the building and use of the CFMH logo in advertising
· Validation of efforts towards good management practices regarding rental housing
· Discount on residential renter's insurance premiums from Canadian Direct Insurance
· More stable and satisfied resident base and improved personal safety for owners, managers and residents
· Network opportunities with other CFMH managers
· Increased property values and demands for units
· Overall benefit of building a community within the apartment complexes
Recommendations are made to increase the security and meet the PhaseTwo requirements of the Program. This in turn will be attractive to stable and lawabiding residents, while maintaining the value of the property.
Exterior – Perimeter: General
One of the minimum security requirements includes the condition of the property. It is important to meet the territoriality concept of CPTED or that "cared for" look. All garbage on and around the property should be picked up regularly and balconies kept clear of clutter. All graffiti must be painted over or removed. Any new signs of graffiti should be removed within 72 hours. Once a graffiti artist realizes their "art" will not be tolerated, they will move one. All trees should be trimmed to a height of six feet and all shrubs should be trimmed periodically down to four feet so as not to create a hiding spot for criminals.
The City's fire prevention bylaw requires all garbage containers must have closed lids, trim landscaping, trees and hedges to CPTED standards, keep main entrance to complex in a state of constant maintenance, which would provide a well cared for image and graffiti must be removed.
Lighting
Lighting is the most highly effective crime prevention tool around when used properly. It deters criminals and instills a sense of security in legitimate users. Mercury vapour lighting is cheap and a good investment.
All outdoor fixtures must be in good working order and all burned out bulbs replaced immediately. Adequate lighting in all interior common areas in order to recognize facial features at 25 feet.
Front Entrance/Lobby/Secondary Entrances
The front entrance casts the first impression for potential residents and the public at large. Consequently, it is extremely important to project a good image.
A sign posted in the entry way stating "No Loitering" helps the nonlawful users of the property to move on. Increased lighting or a brighter wall colour in the entry way creates a more hospitable atmosphere. Installation of a full astragal at the front door prevents the door from being compromised. Installation of mirrors in the stair well to the lobby and mailbox increases the surveillance to the entrance area.
Laundry Room/Storage Lockers/Mailboxes
These areas as common targets for thieves. Residents should be reminded not to store any valuables in storage lockers. Bright lighting should be installed in the mailbox area.
Parking – Underground & Rear
Landscaping to CPTED standards to increase surveillance and visibility in the parking lot. Windows in the door exiting to the parking lot so the residents can ensure it is safe to exit. A mirror by the door so residents can observe the area behind them as they open the door.
Suites
The minimum security standard for the individual suites includes the following:
· A good quality deadbolt with a bolt/throw of a minimum 1" in length
· The hole in the frame must be the same size allowing the bolt to fully extent
· Strike plates on wooden door jambs require a 2" – 3" screw through the plate into the frame and through the wall stud
· Eye viewers, preferably with 180 – 190 degrees no higher than 65" from the floor
· Sliding doors and windows in suites accessible from the ground require secondary locks in addition to functioning primary locks and antilift protection
Business Practices
One of the most vital elements to successfully implement the CFMH Program is applicant screening and managing residents effectively. Establishing sound methods in interviewing prospective residents, explaining expectations and rules and performing thorough reference checks will go a long way in finding quality residents for the building. Using the Crime Free Lease Addendum also indicates expectations to prospective residents. Once residents are established, it is equally vital to monitor resident activity and enforce obligations in respect to the Residential Tenancy Lease and Crime Free Lease agreements, which in turn maintains the integrity and obligations of the CFMH Program. Crime Free MultiHousing Workshop certificates must be displayed as part of certification and the Crime Free Lease Addendum must be used.
The City of Surrey Crime Free MultiHousing Program in partnership with the BC Apartment Owners and Managers Association are holding a Crime Free MultiHousing Expo on September13,2006 at the Guildford Recreation Centre located at 15015 – 105 Avenue.
The CFMH Program is a community building program with crime prevention initiatives designed specifically to help apartment owners, managers, residents, police and other agencies work together to keep illegal and nuisance activity off rental property. It is resident friendly yet effective in reducing crime in multiunit apartment communities.
The purpose of the Expo is to promote the CFMH Program and a variety of products of interest to the community. Mayor Watts will make a presentation at the opening ceremony. The Surrey Fire Department will make a presentation on fire prevention and emergency preparedness. The Fire Department will also be showcasing an educational display on fire safety geared specifically towards children. The RCMP will be showcasing an informative display on the dangers of marijuana grow operations.
Why is Project Defines Excellence
The City, through the support of Mayor and Council, has proven that a program with the involvement of the public safety departments (Fire Services, RCMP and Bylaw Services) is a success. The CFMH Program has not only identified the need, but also the team building ability of City departments and the residents throughout the City.
The RCMP transfer and promotion policy within their structure of a detachment of this size creates many staffing changes throughout the year. Programs such as CFMH tend to suffer as a result of these continual changes and therefore to establish continuity of this Program the Bylaw & Licensing Department took on this project as the main service provider with policing and fire services as a support unit. The City has now become a recognized leader in North America with is CFMH Program as it was the first such program to be implemented outside of a police department.
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MLG 9/19/07 9:44 AM