Peachtree Corners to Host Crime Free Seminar for Apartment Managers

From City of Peachtree Corners

Reducing crime and increasing the safety of its citizens is a top priority for the City of Peachtree Corners. On Thursday, Jan. 22, the City will join forces with Gwinnett County Police Department in hosting an all-day seminar aimed at reducing crime in multi-family housing units.

Some 50 apartment managers and landlords from Peachtree Corners and surrounding cities have signed up for the seminar and will learn about the “Crime Free Multi-Housing Program,” a national program that has been effective in other communities across the country. The seminar will be held at Peachtree Corners City Hall.

“We are happy to be a part of this program,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “Statistics show that communities have seen a significant drop in crimes by as much as 16 percent in just the first year.”

The program was first developed in 1992 by the Mesa Arizona Police. GCPD Officer David Martinez, who is spear-heading the program for the GCPD, said it has been very successful in reducing crimes everywhere it’s been introduced.

“Through the program, apartment managers and landlords are able to provide a safer environment for their tenants,” said Officer Martinez.

The program works through the cooperative effort of apartment managers, residents and police and consists of three phases which are to be completed by the apartment manager or landlord and supervised by the GCPD. The steps include an eight-hour seminar, participating in a crime prevention survey that addresses various safety issues and organizing a social for tenants to meet police and their management team who will work hand in hand to make the program successful.

In addition to reducing crime, the program lists a number of benefits for property owners including increased property values, lower maintenance and repair cost and a stable, more satisfied tenant base.

For additional information about the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, contact Officer David Martinez via email at david.martinez@gwinnettcounty.com or by phone, 770-560-7454.