Through the Hayward Police Department, the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (CFMH) is a FREE education and certification program designed to help owners, managers and residents of rental property to keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property. Property owners, managers, assistant managers, leasing agents, office staff and maintenance staff, and anyone who works with housing are encouraged to participate. This is a three-phase program that has been developed in an effort to reduce crime, enhance rental properties and increase property values throughout the city.

Why Should My Property Participate In This Program?

The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program was successfully developed at the Mesa, Arizona Police Department in 1992 and has since spread throughout the United States and Canada. The program has been implemented in over 40 U.S. States, 4 Canadian Provinces, and over 1,400 cities including cities in Japan, Finland and Puerto Rico. These property managers will reap the benefits of reduced crime, better community awareness, increased property values, more attractive neighborhoods, advertisement of participation and improved quality of life.
 

How do we get involved?

Getting involved in the City’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is simple. There are no requirements other than the desire to establish or maintain a “Crime Free” environment. Phase I training class outlines all three phases of the program. Once the apartment community is fully certified, the property will be granted permission the use of Crime Free Multi-Housing signs stating they have joined the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. The property will also be granted use of the program logo for marketing purposes.
 

How does the program work?

The CFMH program uses a unique three-phase approach that ensures resident friendly techniques will be applied to achieve crime prevention goals. The three components that make up the program are:

Phase I
Landlords and property managers are invited to attend a free education training class on various aspects of effective property management. Topics discussed include resident screening, rental agreements, ongoing property management, crime prevention through environmental design, warning signs of gang and drug activity, the role of the police, premise liability, and fire safety. Attendees receive a certificate upon completion.

Phase II
During Phase II of the program, an on-site property review is conducted from a crime prevention stand point utilizing the tools of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The CPTED concept incorporates such issues as locks, lighting, landscaping and general appearance of the property. If the property meets the requirements, a second certificate will be issued in the name of the property.

Phase III
Phase III of the program incorporates tenant involvement through a resident “Safety Social” conducted by a representative of the Police Department. This will include information about general safety principles and crime prevention, including Neighborhood Watch. Also explained is the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program to the residents of the rental community. A final certificate will be issued at the Safety Social to demonstrate to the residents that management is committed to the program, and they have completed all three phases.

For more information, please contact the representative for your area:
North Hayward
510.293.7151

South Hayward
510.293.1043