HPD’s “Blue Star” Shines Again in Houston April 8, 2008 - The Houston Police Department is seeking to expand the impact of its Blue Star Program, which is a crime prevention partnership between law enforcement, apartment owners/managers and residents, to reduce crime and to improve the quality of life for residents living in multi family communities. While a Blue Star certification cannot guarantee a crime free community, it does indicate a shared commitment to reduce or prevent crime by management, residents and police. The Police Department’s Multi Family Administrative Unit has recently announced the 2008 Blue Star Program training schedule for apartment managers and owners in the City of Houston. Since being revitalized and enhanced, more than 500 apartment managers and owners have attended the first phase of Blue Star training. Thus far, 34 properties have completed all three phases of the training and have earned a Blue Star certification. Phase I of the training consists of an eight hour seminar, during which HPD officers and other crime prevention specialists instruct apartment managers and owners in the concepts of Blue Star and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). After successful completion of Phase I, managers/owners can request to proceed to Phase II, which consists of a CPTED survey. During this survey, officers assess such areas as lighting, perimeter fencing, landscaping, on-site security and crime prevention efforts as well as tenant screening procedures. Once the CPTED survey is completed, the apartment community is required to satisfy all deficiencies cited in the CPTED survey report. Once all deficiencies are resolved, and upon the successful completion of an apartment-sponsored safety social, the apartment is awarded the Blue Star Multi-Housing certification. Annual inspections will be performed by Houston Police Department personnel to ensure that the high standards of the Blue Star Multi-Housing Program are being maintained. Properties previously certified under the original Blue Star pilot program have one year to bring their properties up to the standards of the current Blue Star Program and retain their certification. For more information on the Blue Star Program, contact the Multi Family Administrative Unit at 713-308-3900 or visit our Website www.houstonpolice.org |