LEMON GROVE ASKS APT. OWNERS TO HELP REDUCE CRIME, BUT OWNERS IGNORE CITY

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2015 (Lemon Grove) –The City of Lemon Grove invited owners of multi-family housing buildings with high rates of law enforcement calls to and discuss helping to implement a Crime Free Multi-Housing program that has proven successful at reducing illegal activities in El Cajon, across the nation and even in other countries.

But in Lemon Grove, no owners nobody responded, despite City efforts since February. Now, the City is considering ways to compel property owners to comply—including owners of some complexes with calls to the Sheriff four times higher than average.

Mayor Mary Sessom has said the program concept will be brought back before the Council again.

Under the program, law enforcement agencies partner with rental property owners, manager and tenants to provide voluntary training and certification aimed at lower crime rates, drugs and gangs.  

Crime Free Multi-Housing has been adopted by nearly 2,000 cities in 48 states and several foreign countries.  Calls to law enforcement dropped as much as 70% after the program was implemented, according to the Crime Free Multi-Housing Association.

City Councilman Jerry Jones wants to find ways to compel owners of properties with high crime rates to participate. In addition, future builders may find developments blocked unless they agree to participate in the program.

"We tried the carrot approach by asking landlords that own buildings with high law enforcement calls for service to participate on a voluntary basis," said Jones, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "They chose not to participate, so now it's time to try the stick approach."

El Cajon’s program is voluntary and has a 20 percent participation rate.  But the County of San Diego, which has also adopted the program, makes it mandatory for properties deemed unsafe.