Dedicated to promoting the highest
  standards in management and
maintenance of rental housing through
information and education

The "Crime Free Multi Housing Program" has proved to be one of the most successful crime prevention programs to be put in place in Red Oak. This program is designed to keep illegal activity out of rental property. We have found that it not only keeps illegal activity out of rental property, but it appears to discourage crime within the entire city.  When the quality of life within the apartment community is improved, the quality of life in the surrounding area's improve as well. If  the quality of life can improve in apartment communities then improved quality of life issues can become a chain reaction throughout the city. The "Crime Free Multi Housing Program" is accomplishing  just that.  Most of the apartment communities and individual landlords in Red Oak are participating in this "Crime Free Multi Housing Program".
The "Crime Free Multi Housing Program" consists of three different phases. The first phase is training of the owners and managers of the rental units. We train them in ways to better screen the prospective tenants, to insure that they are getting honest and responsible tenants. We show them how to identify criminal activity and what to do when they see it. We show them how to evict tenants who have been involved in criminal activity on their rental property. We supply them with a "Crime Free Lease Addendum" and "No Trespass Notices."   We encourage them to have all of their tenants sign the addendum. This is an addendum to the lease that simply states that they agree that they will not commit any crimes on or near the rental property, and if they do, they will be evicted. Phase two of the program is called "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design." This is a method of reducing crime by creating a natural surveillance in the complex. This includes the trimming of shrubs and trees and peepholes in the door just to name a few.  The last phase is the training of tenants on how to watch for criminal activity and setting up a neighborhood watch program within the apartment community. One of the most important elements of this program is Red Oak Police notifying an owner or manager of a rental property when someone commits a crime on their property. The owner or manager then evicts that person. This has sent a message out to everyone that if you commit a crime on rental property in Red Oak, you will no longer have a place to live. In most cases that will have more of an effect on criminals than the threat of going to jail.
We also meet with tenants of the rental properties on occasion who have complaints of health and safety issues as well as ordinance violations by owners and managers. We attempt to assist both sides in trying to find a viable solution to the issues. In most cases we have been successful in bring complaints to an acceptable conclusion.
Since this program began in early 2000 we have been watching the police calls for service that indicate criminal activity to our apartment communities. For the year of 2000,  we noted a dramatic decrease in police calls for service.
Red Oak Police Department's "Community Oriented Policing" efforts will continue to support this program, along with other support for the multi housing community like the "Red Oak Landlords Association", and working hand in hand with the owners, managers and tenants of rental property.

To become involved with the Crime Free Multi Housing Program telephone the Red Oak Police Department at 623-6500 between 6am and 2pm or you can email Chief Roberts.........

Join our team as we strive to make Red Oak a better
community to raise our families,
promote industrial, agricultural and commercial growth
and secure our quality of life.