How To Reduce Crime?
Hey guys, we are buying a 38 unit in Syracuse which used to be full of crime. It was shut down by the city and now we will have a fresh start. I want to make sure we do not have the same problem as the previous owners. We are not able to turn this into higher end or even market rent. We will be remodeling the entire building but we're still going to be stuck with section 8 & public assistance tenants. How have you guys been able to reduce crime in your buildings? This is one building, 38 units all contained.
Here is what we have in mind, please let me know if you guys have had any experience with these.
Key Card Entry - Potentially 2 cards issued per tenant so they aren't able to just buzz in people or give out their card. Or maybe just 1 car per person on the lease and access to a 24/7 emergency number for a key code?
On-Site Manager - On site manager / security. Give them a free apartment right at the entry level in the front of the building. They would stop people from hanging out in the front of the building & hallways. Can we even stop people from loitering in the hallways?
Cameras - Security cameras at all entrances, in the hallways, etc.
Lighting - No dark areas, bright hallway lighting, bright entry lights, big clean & open front of the building.
Tenant Screening - This really is harder. We are taking section 8 tenants which tend to have a higher volume of individuals likely to bring or commit crimes. On 1-4 unit properties it's not too big of a deal but on a 38 unit we may get a few more bad eggs than we anticipate.