Crime Free Multi-Housing
What is Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH)?
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is an international program which partners property owners, residents, and law enforcement personnel in an effort to eliminate crime in multi-housing properties. The program began in 1992 in Mesa, Arizona and has spread to 38 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and over 700 cities. The Tucson Police Department has been a member of this most worthwhile program for several years now.
What are the benefits?
In some properties where the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program has been implemented, it has shown a reduction of crime of up to 70%.
Some other benefits enjoyed by participants of the program are:
- Lower maintenance and repair costs.
- Increased property values.
- Improved personal safety for tenants, landlords, and managers.
- A stable, more satisfied tenant base.
- Increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management.
Points to Consider
When criminals and other destructive tenants operate out of rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. That price may include:
- Decline in property values—particularly when the activity begins affecting the reputation of the neighborhood.
- Property damage arising from abuse, retaliation, or neglect; any damage as a result of illegal activity.
- Civil penalties, including temporary closure of the property or even property seizure.
- Loss of rent during the eviction and repairs period.
- Fear and frustration when dealing with tenants involved in illegal activity.
- Potential for conflict within that immediate surrounding area of the community.
- The loss of other valued tenants.
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program was designed to help tenants, owners, and the managers of rental property keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property.
This program is honest and direct. It is solution oriented. It is designed to be easy, yet very effective in reducing the instances of crime in rental property.
How Does CFMH Certification Work?
The program utilizes a unique three-part approach, which ensures the crime prevention goal while maintaining an approach that is very tenant-friendly. When each phase is completed, a certificate of completion is awarded.
- Phase One involves an 8-hour seminar presented by the police department.
- Phase Two will certify that the rental property has met the security requirements for the tenants' safety.
- In Phase Three a tenant crime prevention meeting will be conducted for full certification, and the managers will be granted the use of large metal signs for display on the property. The management will also be granted the use of the program logo in all advertisements.
After a property is fully certified, it is necessary for management to host one safety-related crime prevention meeting with the residents each year to renew their membership in the Crime Free Multi-Housing program. They will be issued a gold certificate, which expires 12 months after the crime prevention meeting.
If you are interested in creating a crime-free lease addendum for your tenants, there are a number of resources available to assist you. Please utilize your own legal services to assist you in identifying the proper verbiage and resources that best fit your needs.
What Others Have Said About the Program...
“This appears to be the ONLY program I know which will work in rental property.”
“It will give me more self-confidence in dealing with tenants, and enhance my belief we can have a choice in trying to live crime and drug free.”
“Of particular value was support for concepts that in the past I wasn't sure were correct. It's great to hear that we don't have to put up with any drug and crime related activity. I've been in multi-housing for 8-9 years and have taken several classes and seminars. I learned more valuable information in the first four hours of this class than in several other classes combined!”
How do I get the program on my property?
If you are interested in starting a Crime Free Multi-Housing program on your property, contact the Tucson Police Department representative for the area where your property is located (See map and contact information).
Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinators
Operations Division South, (520) 791-4949
Community Service Officer Kassandra Tapia
Operations Division West, (520) 837-7241
Community Service Officer Kirsten Hinthorn
Community Service Officer Karla Rubio-Corral
Operations Division Midtown, (520) 837-7428
Community Service Officer Ramon Silvas
Operations Division East, (520) 837-7160
Community Service Officer Teresa Hayward
Crime Free Multi-Housing Training
All classes take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free of charge.
All classes are held at the Westside Substation, 1310 W. Miracle Mile.
2024 Training Dates
- January 18, 2024
April 18, 2024 CANCELLED- July 18, 2024
- October 3, 2024