Crime Prevention Assessment for Residential & Multi-Family Properties

Critical Intervention Services

The Critical Difference™

Crime Prevention Assessment for Residential & Multi-Family Housing

Our security consultants assist residential communities and multi-family properties around the nation with crime prevention assessments.

Crime Prevention Assessment: The first step in managing risks of crime and premises liability in multi-family housing

Over the past 30 years, CIS security consultants have assisted over 1,000 multi-family properties in reducing crime and premises liability. The first step in this process is conducting a crime prevention assessment to investigate the various conditions contributing to potential risk.

During assessments, our security consultants identify the presence of accelerating social and physical disorders, evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention and risk management measures, and explore optional solutions for remedy.

Upon completion of the assessment, our consultants present a report of findings and proposed strategy for resolving matters of concern, prepared and delivered with careful attention to potential liability.

Crime Prevention Assessments for new property acquisitions

In addition to crime prevention assessments for existing portfolio properties, our security consultants frequently assist property management companies in assessing crime and security conditions for real estate during the acquisition process.

When engaged as consultants prior to purchase, our experts can provide valuable insight into social and physical disorders often overlooked by acquisition teams and reduce post-purchase improvement costs by identifying corrective actions for use during negotiation.

Click below to learn more about our methodology for conducting crime prevention assessments in residential communities and multi-family properties.

Crime Prevention Assessment: Our Methodology

Prior to conducting the on-site assessment, our security consultants analyze crime statistics, incident reports, and criminal intelligence products to identify unique conditions warranting special consideration during the on-site assessment.

During the on-site visit, our security consultants meet with the property manager to identify important elements of the community’s characteristics, resident behavior, rental conditions, management practices, and previous incidents. The manager interview is followed by a physical survey of the property to identify specific conditions contributing to crime or social disorder, followed subsequently by a nighttime assessment to evaluate lighting, CCTV conditions, and discreetly observe after hours activity and community behavior.

Topics of assessment include:

- History of crime on-property & within the local community
- Community characteristics & resident behavior
- Unique problem situations (e.g., gangs, vagrant activity, trespass, illegal dumping, etc.)
- Management practices
- Social disorders & environmental conditions contributing to offender confidence
- Crime Prevention Though Environmental Design (CPTED) & security measures
- Territoriality & property access
- Landscaping & grounds design
- Offender concealment & escape opportunities
- Lighting
- CCTV
- Gates & vehicle monitoring systems
- Access control systems
- Physical security of residential units
- Safety concerns
- Effectiveness of on-site security officers

Learn more about our experience and crime prevention expertise...

Residential Communities & Multi-Family Housing: Our Expertise & Accomplishments as Security Consultants

Our security consultants are recognized worldwide for their knowledge and achievements related to managing crime and liability in residential communities and multi-family housing. Following are some highlights of our accomplishments and credentials:

- In the early 1990’s, our security consultants pioneered a unique methodology for crime prevention and liability management in residential communities. The success of the strategy in reducing crime and increasing community quality of life has been extensively documented by police, news media, and academic institutions and is the central theme of two criminal justice textbooks.

- Since 1994, CIS professionals have assisted 1,000’s of diverse Florida residential communities in reducing crime and premises liability conditions.

- Since 2014, our security consultants have supervised the nation’s first private sector-led public safety program for the MetroWest Master Association in Orlando, a community of over 45,000 residents and businesses

- Our security consultants have provided case analysis, strategy assistance, and expert testimony during dozens of cases related to security negligence, premises liability, and foreseeability issues in residential communities and multi-family housing.

- Our crime prevention experts have served on committees and advisory boards for organizations including ASIS International, Florida PIRSAC (Private Investigation, Recovery, and Security Advisory Council), FASCO (Florida Association of Security Companies), IASIR (International Association of Security and Investigative Regulators), IFPO (International Foundation for Protection Officers), U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice, Keiser University, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

- CIS crime prevention consultants have initiated and/or directly contributed to drafting several Florida laws related to security guards including 493.6115 F.S., Ch. 784.07 F.S., and Ch. 493.631 F.S..

- Our security consultants possess professional certifications and licenses including CPOI (Certified Protection Officer Instructor), cATO® (Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer), CPS (Certified Protection Specialist), and FCP (Florida CPTED Practitioner).

- The success of our approaches to crime prevention in residential communities and multi-family housing have gained our consultants worldwide recognition through media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, ABC World News Tonight, BBC, CNN, Fox News Network, The Detroit News, Spiegel Television, and every news affiliate in the Tampa Bay area. In addition to stories about our accomplishments, our consultants frequently provide expert commentary for news media organizations on matters related to crime prevention and premises liability.

Residential & Multi-Family Housing: Our Security Consultant Team

K.C. Poulin, cATO, CPS, CPOI

KC is a consultant and expert witness of matters related to community-based public safety, crime prevention, premises liability in multi-family housing, security officer operations, and managing risks of predatory aggression (e.g., workplace violence, stalking, etc.). As the CEO of CIS, KC is the lead architect of our community-based security and public safety programs and is co-author of two criminal justice textbooks. KC is a veteran expert witness and has provided decisive testimony in multiple premises liability cases.

Shannon Bryson, FCP

Shannon is a staff consultant and expert witness on premises liability, crime prevention, community policing, and special event security. As one of the architects of the CIS Private-Sector Led Public Safety Program, he directed the PSLPS program in Orlando for several years. Shannon is certified Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (FCP) and joins CIS with over 25 years of experience as a DEA agent and police firearms and tactical instructor.

Mario de Graaf, FCP

Mario is a security consultant specializing in crime prevention and premises liability management in multi-family housing communities. Mario is a certified Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (FCP) and Register Security Expert (RSE) and has assisted over 100 residential communities in reducing crime and premises liability since joining CIS. Mario’s career began as a security specialist for the Government of the Netherlands where he was responsible for the protection of Dutch diplomatic facilities around the world.

Residential Communities & Multi-Family Housing: Articles by Our Security Consultants

The MetroWest Program: A Case Study in Proactive Public Safety

Shannon Bryson August 20, 2020

MetroWest is celebrating the seventh year of partnership with Critical Intervention Services (CIS), a Florida‐based security agency that specializes in enhancing public safety through its

Premises Liability and Apartment Communities

5 Common Issues Contributing to Premises Liability in Apartment Communities

Mario de Graaf April 29, 2020

When it comes to reducing premises liability in apartment communities and multi-family housing, an old adage provides best advice: “An ounce of prevention is worth

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In addition to crime prevention assessments, CIS security consultants provide a range of services to assist residential and multi-family property management companies in reducing crime and maximizing the value of property investment. Click below to download our 2021 services guide.

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The staff of CIS is dedicated to providing each client with the finest quality of protective services available.

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