Crime Prevention and Liability Management for Residential Properties

Over the past 26 years, CIS has earned national accolades for our success in reducing crime and social disorder in residential communities.

To achieve sustainable crime reduction, CIS employs a multi-layered strategy that focuses on eliminating physical disorders and addressing the underlying social factors contributing to the cycle of crime. The success of our methods 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.

For property managers and owners, the benefits of our services are typically several-fold:

1. 1. Decreased crime and victimization
   2. Increased resident retention and morale
   3. Increased property value
   4. Reduced property repair costs (due to reduction in vandalism and disorderly behavior)
   5. Reduced lawsuits and improved defensibility against litigation

CIS provides a range of consulting services to assist property management companies according to their need.

Risk Assessment and Crime Prevention Consulting for Residential Properties

The first step in designing an effective crime reduction strategy is identifying the various social and physical disorders contributing to crime on-property and in the surrounding area. As part of this process, CIS consultants assess the level of crime and social conditions affecting the property of concern, evaluate the effectiveness of current security and crime prevention measures, and identify potential issues of concern.

Prior to conducting the on-site assessment, CIS analyzes 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, CIS 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 discreetly observe after hours conditions and community behaviors.

Upon completion of the assessment, CIS consultants provide a report of findings and proposed strategy for resolving issues of concern, prepared and delivered in a manner to avoid creating unnecessary liability.

Corporate-Level Environmental Risk Management Programs

For property management companies seeking an enterprise-wide solution for decreasing lawsuits and improving security conditions, CIS can assist by developing a sustainable, corporate-level environmental risk management program.

Upon commencement of the project, CIS consultants collaborate with decision-makers to design a custom Risk Assessment Methodology (RAM) for use in characterizing the risk of criminal activity and safety at client properties, identifying conditions of concern, and prioritizing risks for purposes of compliance and practical remedy. Some of the activities entailed in this process include developing a custom risk assessment model and system of supporting documentation.

To implement the program, CIS assists in recruiting and training an environmental risk analyst for purposes of conducting property assessments, assisting managers in complying with recommendations, and auditing compliance. Alternatively, CIS can assign a consultant to manage and implement the program on a full-time and on-going basis.