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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSAC Agenda Item No. 6 CITY OF LA E L�j ' LS I 1`�O E K D REAM EXTREME. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE REPORT TO PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION TO: CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION FROM: JUSTIN CARLSON, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANALYST DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2012 SUBJECT: LAKE ELSINORE CRIME -FREE MULTI- HOUSING PROGRAM Background On November 28, 2011, the Public Safety Advisory Commission Crime -Free Multi- Housing subcommittee forwarded a list that they compiled of Crime -Free Multi- Housing program and operational questions to the Lake Elsinore Police Department. The Lake Elsinore Police Department notified staff that they would be present at the regularly scheduled PSAC meeting of February 8, 2012 to discuss the answers to the submitted questions with the Commission. On January 30, 2012, the Lake Elsinore Police Department forwarded their responses to staff, so that the Commission can review the answers and be properly prepared to discuss the topic. Recommendation It is recommended that the Commission direct staff as deemed appropriate. Prepared By: Justin Carlson Redevelopment Agency Analyst Agenda Item No. �_ Crime Free Multi- HousinE Program The Crime Free Multi- Housing Program is acrime prevention program designed to reduce crime, drugs, and gangs on apartment properties. This program was developed at the Mesa Arizona Police Department in 1992. The International Crime Free Multi- Housing Program has spread to nearly 2,000 cities in 44 U.S. states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico, England, Finland, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Puerto Rico. The program consists of three phases that must be completed under the supervision of the local police department. Property managers can become individually certified after completing training in each phase and the property becomes certified upon successful completion of all three phases. The anticipated benefits are reduced police calls for service, a more stable resident base, a reduction in the "fear of crime" by the residents in CFMH community, and reduced exposure to civil liability. The program begins with the training of law enforcement agency coordinators who will administer the program in their jurisdiction. Each Crime Free Multi- Housing Coordinator receives 24 -hours of intensive training and becomes certified as an instructor of the program. The Crime Free Program Coordinators return to their cities and begin the provide training and certify apartment properties in their community. The heart and soul of the program is in the correct implementation and use of the Crime Free Lease Addendum. The certification of the property owners and managers occurs in three phases as follows: Phase I - Management Training (8- Hours) Taught by the Police • Crime Prevention Theory • CPTED Theory (Physical Security) • Benefits of Resident Screening • Lease Agreements and Eviction Issues • Crime Free Lease Addendum • Key Control and Master Key Use • On -Going Security Management Monitoring and Responding to Criminal Activity • Gangs, Drugs Activity, and Crime Prevention • Legal Warnings, Notices & Evictions Working Smarter With the Police Fire and Life Safety Training Community Awareness A 100 -page resource manual is supplied with additional handouts. Phase II - CPTED - Survey by the Police • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Survey (CPTED) • Minimum door, window, and lock standards compliance inspection • Minimum exterior lighting standards evaluation • Key Control procedures evaluation • Landscape maintenance standards compliance Phase III - Community Awareness Training • Annual crime prevention social taught by property management and police • Community awareness and continuous participation is encouraged Full certification (gold certificate) permits the right to post the Crime Free Multi - Housing Program sign and advertise membership in the Crime Free Multi - Housing Program in the print media using the official logo. This certificate expires every year unless renewed following compliance with Phases I & II. This is a brief overview of the program and with this basic outline established I will answer your questions to the best of my understanding of them. Questions submitted by the PSAC (CFIVIH sub - committee) 1. Does the PSAC have input with the CSO (program operating officer) if the program become operational? The Crime Free Multi- Housing Program is an already nationally established program which would be administered by the Police Department. The program coordinator would establish contact with the complex managers and owners, coordinate the training and inspections and maintain and upkeep a database for tracking purposes among other related duties. I am not too sure what the intent of this question is in relationship to how the program is administered; however, if the PSAC becomes aware of complexes that may benefit by participation in the program, that information would always be welcomed and expected from PSAC as well as other members of community. The Coordinator will evaluate the need and prioritize the implementation. If I have misunderstood the intent of this question please clarify, and I can surely address. 2. Can Commissioner Stewart/Fairchild or another requesting PSAC Commissioner and the CSO (program operating officer) attend the Crime Free Multi- Housing (Partners) meeting that is hosted monthly in Riverside? I am not aware of this particular meeting (Crime Free Multi- Housing partners meeting). There are training certification courses for the apartment managers and owners which are coordinated by the Police program coordinator. Most agencies conduct an 8 hour "Phase 1" certification course quarterly. RPD conducts theirs in two 4 hour courses, which come out to almost every month. There would be no problem of any commissioner attending these classes if they desired to in order to learn what is involved in the certification; however it would not be necessary. We can coordinate this at Moreno Valley PD, RPD, or Temecula PD. Any other meetings the members of the PSAC are interested in could be researched further and we can discuss the need for attendance. 3. Do you have a projected start -up cost of the program? As well as an annual operating cost? The cost to start and maintain this program would primarily consist of the addition of a CSO II to be the program coordinator. In addition there would be some initial training costs that would be required. The estimated contract rate for a CSO II is $84,739.20 per year. Training costs to include lodging and meals are estimated at $695. The cost of signs and supplies is estimated at $3,480.00. This is based on an approximate 29 multi - housing units in the City of Lake Elsinore. In addition, there would be mileage costs of approximately $356 (based on estimated 400 miles /per year) The total start-up cost would equate to approximately $89,270.20 Keep in mind these are rough estimates and costs could change based on a variety of factors to include contract rate changes, training costs, supplies, etc. 4. Is it possible for the CSO (program operating officer) to have other duties in addition to the Crime -Free Multi- Housing program, so as to offset the cost of the program? Or will that person be strictly dedicated to the City's CrimeFree Multi - Housing program full -time? This position would have to be a new position as we are currently below staffing levels and do not have any positions that could absorb these duties. However, the addition of this CSO II position would allow us to bring back or enhance other programs such as community outreach, neighborhood watch and to supplement patrol when possible as the primary duty of the CFMH program could take anywhere from 50% to 100% of their time depending on the issues and amount of complexes in the city. * * *As a reminder this position and program was in existence; however, it was cut due to tough economic decisions that needed to be made by the City Council over the last few years. This position and program could be a great benefit to the Police Department, understanding it would need to be an increase in the Police Department's staffing in the contract for police services with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. * ** 5. Can the CSO provide quarterly updates to the PSAC? The CSO II will be maintaining data with what complexes participate, which ones are pending, crime stats associated with the program. If there is an internal report generated, it could be considered public record and we would have to make sure any such reports are vetted through the command staff for accuracy and released at the discretion of the Chief of Police. With that said there should not be any issues with getting this type of feedback information to the PSAC. Any additional questions can be forwarded to Lt. Anne through Justin Carlson and I would be happy to explore any issues further if required.