CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
CRIME FREE MULTI-HOUSING PROGRAM 

The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program was developed in Mesa Arizona in 1992, with the goal of reducing crime, drug, and gang activity in rental properties. The program is sponsored by the International Crime Free Association that provides training or other assistance to local agencies in the administration of their programs. The program spread to more than 2,000 cities in the United States with successful programs causing an average reduction in crime between 75-90% according to the International Crime Free Association. The purpose of the program is to gain the commitment of property owners, managers, tenants, and the community to maintain properties free of illegal or destructive activity and to promote a higher quality of life within each neighborhood. Successful programs increase community participation, provide accountability for property owners, and lower maintenance costs. The proven crime prevention methods and program phases improve public safety for tenants, property owners, and the community.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

June 6, 2011 The City of San Bernardino City Council adopted ordinance no. MC-1351. The City of San Bernardino Crime Free Multi-Housing ordinance is mandatory for all multi-family (4 or more units) rental property owners and managers.

The program consists of three phases: an 8-hour training class, inspection of the properties to verify implementation of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) elements, maintenance of CPTED standards and active participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program.
A basic premise of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is designed to develop partnerships and share the responsibility of preventing crime in the community. By doing so, the city will be able to address the root causes of crime in rental property. This will result in less crime, fewer calls for police service, less code enforcement notices and citations, and more available time for police officers to be proactive in fighting crime. The purpose of this program is not to serve the landlords, but to educate them and their residents to improve the livability of the neighborhoods by reducing crime and blight.

 PHASE I-TRAINING (Mandatory)

Property owners and managers will receive training from various city departments on crime prevention techniques. The following topics will be discussed: fire prevention, health and safety issues, information regarding CPTED standards and the benefits of tenant screening. Attendees will be provided with a crime-free lease addendum, and learn how to monitor and respond to criminal activity occurring on rental properties. The training will equip the property owners and management employees with the necessary skills to prevent or identify problems before they occur. During the training, participants will be required to schedule an initial CPTED property assessment (inspection) date and will be scheduled for an annual CPTED property assessment (inspection) date for the year of 2013. To avoid inconvenience we will schedule your annual inspection to coincide with the City of San Bernardino Fire Department annual inspection date.

You may register in person or by telephone by visiting or calling:

Code Enforcement Division, 3rd Floor
300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, CA 92418
San Bernardino, Ca. 92418 / 909-384-SAFE 7233

The Phase I registration fee is $55.00 and includes: the Crime Free Multi-Housing workbook, materials and certificates. All training will be held at the City of San Bernardino Police Department located at 710 N "D" Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401  8-5pm, training room TBD.

A certificate will be issued to the owner/manager upon completion phase one.

*Cancellation/Refund Policy

A 100 % refund will be honored if cancellation is received within (3) three business days prior to the training class or you may elect to reschedule the class for a future date that is available. No exceptions.

Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Training classes for 2012-2013
Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Training classes for 2013-2014

PHASE II: INSPECTION/ CONTACT INFORMATION/ LEASE ADDENDUM (Mandatory)

After completion of phase one, the property owners will have (30) thirty days to implement a Crime-Free Lease Addendum for all new tenants. The property owner shall provide the Program coordinator with direct and immediate contact information for themselves, property owner, managers, and/or a local responsible party. The property owners will be required to have the property assessed (inspected) to confirm the implementation of CPTED standards. Each property will be allotted one assessment (inspection) as part of the annual fee with each subsequent inspection requiring an additional fee.

Fees are as follows:

Property Type                                   Units                           Initial/Subsequent fees

Multi-Family                                     4-90 units                               $150.00
Multi-Family                                     91-199 units                           $170.00
Multi-Family                                     200+units                               $185.00

A certificate will be issued to the owner upon completion of Phase Two.

PHASE III: ACTIVE PARTICIPATION & CERTIFICATION (Voluntary)

After completion of Phase II, participants will be given the option to become a crime free certified property. Certification requires a commitment from the property owner and management to maintain the rental property to CPTED criteria and to maintain annual re-certification in the program. It is also required that property owners participate or host an in-house community event by gathering their tenants annually to further educate and strengthen the community and  help foster a safe  neighborhood.

At any time a property owner fails to maintain compliance, the property shall have the certification status revoked. Failing to comply will also include any rental property that has twenty (20) or more calls for service from the Police Department, Fire Prevention, or The Code Enforcement Division. Service calls may be based on individual departments or accumulative within a one-year period. As a mandatory program, the City will enforce ordinances for property owners who fail to participate in the program with administrative citations, civil penalties, or any other legal remedy.

For more information on the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, please contact: 

Crime Free Multi-Housing Unit
Code Enforcement Division, 3rd Floor
300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, CA 92418
Office Phone:  (909) 384-SAFE 7233
FAX: (909) 384-5247
Email: crimefree@sbcity.org

 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO CRIME FREE CERTIFIED PROPERTIES

1131 N Lugo                        2104 E 19^th St                     214 E Sonora Dr   

234 E Sonora Dr                  2082 19^th St                        155 E Ralston Ave 

2575 Steele                         2030 E 19^th St                     3958 N Genevieve Ave

2295 E Sunrise                   4007 Acre                            4652 N Sepulveda Ave

2285 E. Sunrise                  2762 Conejo                        2225 E Pumalo St 

2205 E Sunrise                   1738 W. 9^th St                     6155 Palm Ave

2194 E. 19^th Street             2765 N Conejo Dr              236 E 48^th St

2164 E 19^th St                     3055 E St                             2121 N Wall Ave                 

2148 E 19^th St                     221 E 2^nd St                        1460 N Sepulveda Ave

2194 19^th St                        163 E Ralston Ave              657 N F St

1595 N. Sierra Way             345 W 44th St

If you are a CFMH certified property and do not see your address above, please email rios_ca@sbcity.org