How to Become a Crime Free Multi-Housing Property

There are three phases to pass to become fully certified in the CFMH Program. Once passed, a sign is posted on your property announcing you have “Joined the Vancouver Crime Free Multi-Housing Program”. Management will also receive weekly crime stat updates and other crime prevention information to assist in keeping a safe apartment community.

Three Phases to Join the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program

• Phase One: Management Training
  Management attends a one-day workshop covering Applicant Screening Techniques, Residential Tenancy Act, Identifying Illegal Activity, and How Community and Police can work together.
• Phase Two: Property Security Assessment
  The property undergoes a security assessment with recommendations made on improving safety and security. Once the minimum recommendations are met, the property passes onto the final phase.
• Phase Three: Resident Training
  Management hosts an annual Safety Social with the residents of the property where the Crime Free representative provides valuable crime prevention tips and encourages everyone to be “eyes and ears” in building a safe community.

The program fosters police and the community working together towards safer homes and neighbourhoods.

Benefits for property owners:

• Lower maintenance and repair costs with less resident turn-over.
• Reduces calls for police service to rental properties on civil related matters.
• Improved property values.
• Increased demand for suites by desirable residents.
• More time for routine management as opposed to crisis management.

The City and Vancouver Police encourages owners of rental apartments to join the program and individual unit owners to implement the concepts. Full certification in the program includes the following benefits:

• Signage for the building and use of the CFMH logo in advertising.
• Validation of your efforts towards good management practices in regards to rental housing.
• Qualify for discount on content insurance premium for tenants.
• Networking opportunities with other CFMH managers.
• Regular updates on crime trends and prevention tips.

Phase One: Management Training

All those responsible for the daily management of the property and approval of new residents (property manager or owner) attend an 8-hour training session hosted by the Crime Free Coordinator. Topics include:

• Crime Prevention Principles
• Applicant Screening Process
• Community & Police Working Together
• Residential Tenancy Act
• Identifying Illegal Activity
• Property Maintenance & Security

View information on the next scheduled workshop.

Phase Two: Property Security Assessment

A representative from the Vancouver Crime Free program will assess the property for safety and security. The rental property must meet the following minimum standards to advance:

• A good quality deadbolt must be on all suite doors. The bolt must be minimum 1-inch in length and the hole in the frame must be the same size as the bolt for a tight fit.
• Strike plates on wood-framed doors must be secured with 3-inch screws into the stud.
• All suite doors must have eye viewers (peep holes).
• Sliding doors and windows require functioning primary locks. Ground-level units or those easily accessible from the outside require secondary locks on patio doors and windows.
• The trees and shrubs must be pruned to eliminate concealment areas. Trees should be limbed to 6-feet off the ground and bushes should be no higher than 4-feet.
• Adequate lighting in and around the property.
• All graffiti must be removed.
• The property must be clean and properly maintained.
• The property must be in compliance with city bylaws and fire-code requirements.

Phase Three: Resident Training

Management hosts a meeting with the residents where a Vancouver Crime Free representative provides information on crime prevention, reporting suspicious activity, and other personal safety tips. Residents are encouraged to get involved in being the “eyes and ears” of their community to report suspicious activity and take steps to keep their homes secure. This meeting is required annually to renew membership in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program.

Tips on hosting a Crime Free Multi-Housing Resident Safety Social

What is the Crime Free Safety Social?

• It is Phase Three and the final step in becoming fully certified in the Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) Program.
• It’s held annually to renew your building’s membership in the CFMH program.
• It’s an opportunity for the local police to pass along important information to residents on apartment, personal, and vehicle security in a social setting.
• It’s an opportunity for the apartment management to update the residents on the security precautions and upgrades for their property.
• It’s one of the most important aspects to participating successfully in the CFMH Program as it encourages each resident to “come out of their box” to meet their neighbours and to take responsibility for the safety and security of their home and possessions.

What do we talk about?

• During the Safety Social a representative from the local police will provide handouts and cover a variety of safety and security issues such as:
• Front door and intercom security.
• Wait for the parking gate and use anti-theft devices on vehicles.
• When to call 9-1-1 and how to report a crime or suspicious activity.
• The importance of “Eyes and Ears” in your community.

How do you host a Safety Social?

• Ideas are limitless. Find something that will appeal to your residents.
• Management should provide refreshments and door prizes to encourage attendance. Coffee and donuts work, but here are some other suggestions:
  • Have a barbeque with hot dogs and pop, games for the kids.
  • Have a potluck dinner where each suite contributes a dish (great for multi-cultural properties).
  • Have a theme party around Halloween, Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.
  • Celebrate “Opening Day” of the swimming pool.
  • Host “Afternoon Tea” or “Donut Desserts”.
  • Door prizes could include gift certificates from local businesses (they may even donate them!); $$ off next month’s rent; free parking for a month; scratch & win lottery tickets; small household items or gift baskets.
• Canvass your residents for their ideas and talents. You may have a resident who plays an instrument and can provide entertainment; someone who likes to entertain children with face painting or clowning; or someone willing to help with organizing food.
• The goal of the meeting is to make it social. Keep refreshments non-alcoholic and the atmosphere light. Most Socials last about one hour.
• Meetings can be held anywhere there is enough space: Recreation/Social Room, Lobby, Laundry Room, vacant suite, or courtyard. Notices can include a request for residents to bring their own stools or chairs to sit on.
• Talk with your Crime Free Coordinator. Notices and posters can be provided to inform residents.

How is success measured?

Success is not based on just how many people attend. Success is that management provides an opportunity for residents to become involved in the safety and security of their homes. However, encourage your residents to come to the meeting as it is for their benefit. Initially, residents may be reluctant to come, so stress that this is an informal gathering, taking no more than 45 minutes of their time and they will gain some safety knowledge, meet their neighbours, and perhaps walk away with a door prize!

Remember, this is a valuable tool in keeping your apartment “Crime Free.” When your residents take pride in their home, know the management is concerned about their security and is active in addressing problems as they occur, they in turn will keep alert to suspicious activity and be more willing to take an active role in ensuring that the property is a safe and desirable place to call home.

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