The Blue Star Program in Houston is an innovative crime prevention plan that seeks to address crime issues in multi-family housing communities.
The program is a mutual effort by the Houston Apartment Association and Houston Police Department.
The program targets rental properties of varying sizes and aims to help officials in the law enforcement and the multifamily housing industry collaborate in reducing criminal activity. If you’re wondering how the program works, here’s how.
Origin of the Blue Star Program
The program began in Mesa, Arizona when Tim Zehring had to design a safety plan that would succeed in rental housing.
Before the development of this program, the Neighborhood Watch that flourishes in established neighborhoods wasn’t working in rental properties due to the lack of pride and ownership on the part of some renters, and in some instances, apartment owners.
Using some fundamental ideas on crime prevention, the officer packaged a plan that has had a remarkable influence on rentals around the nation and world.
For the first time, a partnership of property managers, police, and residents collaborated to keep crime out of rentals. The program is currently in scope and continues to grow and offer safe environments for persons who choose to reside in rentals.
About the Blue Star Program
The program is a joint effort between apartment owners/managers, law enforcement, and apartment residents to abate crime and improve the life quality of citizens residing within Blue Star communities.
A Blue Star designation implies that the apartment community has completed the three phases and has fulfilled the minimum certification standards.
How the Blue Star Program Works
The program begins with training for managers, property owners, leasing personnel and other management staff in the concepts of CPTED (Crime Preventions through Environmental Design) in an eight-hour class.
After completing the class successfully, managers can request certification. However, the community must first demonstrate a favorable CPTED property survey, according to standards set by the Houston Police Department.
Throughout the CPTED surveys, officers may evaluate things such as lighting, landscaping, perimeter fencing, and on-site security. Once completion of the survey takes place, the apartment community must satisfy the cited deficiencies in the report.
After the resolution of deficiencies and successful completion of phase three, the apartment will then obtain Multi-Housing certification. Thereafter, the Houston Police Department will typically perform annual inspections to ensure the maintenance of the established standards.
The Impact of the Program
Since its establishment, Houston’s police department has increased security at multi-family complexes. The joint effort has further helped officials recognize unsafe or other conditions that generate crime.
It has also decreased the likelihood of criminal activity while creating a better living environment for the residents. Another benefit of the program is that it allows law enforcement to focus their attention on crimes a bit closer.
For the apartment owners, the program gives them information to enhance their properties. Simultaneously, the program gives tenants an opportunity to participate and get involved in the process.
The Blue Star Program is a proactive program that aims to raise awareness in apartment owners, managers, and residents.
While the program doesn’t guarantee a crime-free community, the certification demonstrates a joint commitment to prevent or decrease crime by police and management within the community, so inquire about certification before moving into a rental.
For more information on how Houston’s Blue Star program is making an impact, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave other suggestions.