Crime Multi-Housing Program was launched in 1992 and the  West Covina Police Department implemented the program in our city in 1997. The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is a state-of-the-art, crime prevention program designed to reduce crime, drugs, and gangs on apartment properties.

West Covina’s Crime Analyst customarily will visit with rental housing management to advise them of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (CFMHP).  As rental property managers and owners change often, it can be necessary to visit properties several times a year.  The CFMHP is a voluntary program for multi-family dwellings, such as apartment complexes and mobile home parks.  It is a 3 phase program, which encompasses providing training to management and their staff, property inspections, and community meetings.

Phase 1 of the program, is an 8-hour training, which covers effective and successful property management techniques, current residential legal issues, and working with law enforcement.  Participants receive instruction from subject matter experts to help them address crime and quality of life issues.  At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate for their participation.

Phase 2 of the program, is a property inspection.  This is not a code enforcement inspection, rather an opportunity to observe potential areas lacking in security and safety.  Items such as locks on pool gates, peepholes indoors, identification unit/building numbers being visible, availability of auxiliary locks, and problems within walkways.  These inspections are not to punish the community, rather give the management an opportunity to protect their residents and their property.  Phase 2 is an annual event within the program.

In Phase 3, residents are introduced to the CFMHP.  This is done through the hosting of a Safety Social, very similar to a Neighborhood Watch meeting or a National Night Out event.  The purpose is to help create a community verse someplace where people stay.   National Night events have been used in the CFMHP since 1997.  After several years, many Neighborhood Watch groups began hosting National Night Out events of their own events.   Phase 3 is an annual event within the program.

Participants of the CFMHP are appreciative of the communication they receive in the program.  No matter what their issue is, there is one person within the police department they can contact for help in resolving the problem.