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Crime-free living environment celebrated

Fallbrook View Apartments, an 80-unit complex located on Alturas Road, has officially become an active member of the San Diego Sheriff’s Crime-Free Housing Program. On Thursday, August 2, Fallbrook Commander Lt. Alex Dominguez and Crime Prevention Specialist John McLelland presented this apartment complex with the official signage that represents the completion of this task. The Crime-Free Housing Program helps keep illegal activity out of rental housing and propagates safety among the tenants.

“I’m really excited about this,” said apartment manager Kathy Escobar. “It took us two years to finish everything.”

For a residential building to acquire Crime-Free Multi-Housing status, the landlord/manager must attend an eight-hour training seminar. Enrollees are immersed in subjects such as renter application procedures, law enforcement issues and security of the premises.

In addition, McLelland inspects the property, highlighting areas for improvement. “The property needs to meet some certain minimum requirements,” he said.

When he inspects residential units, McLelland generally points out items that need to be fixed or upgraded in order to move one step closer to the completion process. For example, all doors need deadbolt locks (one-inch throw and security strike plates), windows must have anti-lift devices and lighting must be adequate. McLelland performs a follow-up inspection to be certain all the particulars have been met and fixed.

“Another important aspect is that each and every tenant must sign what is called a Crime-Free Lease Addendum,” added McLelland. This addendum is critical in weeding out criminal links, he says, and the bottom line that tenants and/or their guests agree not to commit any criminal activity.

“The beauty of this is that [the landlord] does not need a conviction for an eviction,” McLelland noted. Eviction can be based solely on the preponderance of the evidence. Recently, McLelland was present at a residential rental site where a tenant walked out of the complex with a 25-pound bundle of marijuana. The landlord approached the tenant and inquired as to the contents of the bundle. When the tenant verified it was the illegal drug, on the spot, the landlord politely evicted the tenant based on the Crime Free Multi-Housing Addendum.

McLelland is a huge proponent of this program because it educates landlords. “They know what to look for; it helps them recognize potential trouble and it also helps potential trouble steer somewhere else,” he maintains.

On the flip side, tenants must play an active role in reporting suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Department. A cohesive team effort must be utilized in order for this program to be 100-percent effective.

Tenants at the Fallbrook View Apartments are thrilled that they now reside in a Crime-Free Housing complex. “It’s really good that we have some kind of protection,” said tenant Miriam Velasquez.

For more information on the San Diego Sheriff’s Crime-Free Housing Program, call John McLelland at (760) 451-3100.

 

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