Program helps landlords keep apartments crime free

Before April 1997, city police were well acquainted with the Collins Apartment Building at 204 S. Wall St. – for all the wrong reasons.

Since that time, Barb Hollace and her husband, Bill, became the managers and have participated in the Crime Free Multi-Housing program offered through Spokane Community Policing Services.

“It was one of the ‘dives’ downtown with lots of police activity,” said Barb Hollace. “Drugs, alcohol, prostitution and all the vices of life were here.

“It’s not like that anymore,” she said. She credits their involvement in the CFMH program for part of the turnaround.

Personnel from COPS, the Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Fire Department and various other city and public service agencies have joined to develop the CFMH program, which teaches landlords how to reduce crime in their buildings.

The program takes a four-level approach: a training program for property owners/managers; security requirements for participating properties; meetings with residents (minimum of two per year); and designation of a manager/resident liaison to the nearest COPS or SCOPE substation.

Hollace said that a few years ago they had some drug problems – not in their building but around the area – and their residents asked them to schedule a meeting. They wanted someone from the Police department to offer suggestions on how they could solve the problem.

“I believe it really empowers the residents that live here to have access to these resources,” Hollace said. “It gives them control over their lives when they know whom to access when they need help.”

The program teaches owners and managers how to make their buildings as safe as possible with on-site inspections and the use of deadbolt locks, peepholes, properly trimmed shrubs and adequate lighting.

“It’s safe in here with 39 apartments and 39 sets of eyes watching out for each other,” Hollace said. “The element that you don’t want around the neighborhood realizes that this block probably isn’t the best block to hang out in.”

Approved properties can use the CFMH program logo in their advertising.

The course provides screening tips to prevent problem tenants and helps owners deal with tenants involved in illegal activities.

Owners and managers who participate in the program receive an extensive CFMH training resource manual and related support materials.

Heather Massey, manager of the Summit View Apartments at 820 N. Summit Blvd., said she notices a definite change in the type of tenants the business is getting since becoming part of the CFMH program.

“It’s a great marketing tool,” Massey said. “We explained to our residents what being a part of CFMH means and talk to them about the training we’ve received. I think that gets us better tenants.”

This is Massey’s first job as an apartment manager.

“The class was well worth it. It was fascinating,” she said.

“We got to listen to the gang police and a variety of speakers. They use lots of visuals, pictures and handouts, and the notebook is very well-organized and easy to flip through if I need to find something,” she said.

A list of CFMH members is available to prospective tenants through the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, COPS substations and the Spokane Police Department.