Crime Free Multi-Housing

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. In compliance with federal law, the Sheriff’s Department does not discriminate in housing and is no longer enforcing the City of Hesperia’s Crime Free Rental Housing Program, including the provision of the City’s Crime Free Rental Housing Program requiring the screening of applicants for rental housing.

For more information on Equal Housing Opportunity:

English: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=928.1.pdf
Spanish: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/FHEOPOSTER928SPANISH.PDF

The program is a three-part approach to crime prevention, designed specifically for the rental community. By joining this program, you will complete phases towards making your property a safer living environment for your tenants. The Sheriff’s Department’s Public Affairs Division is responsible for managing the countywide program and providing training to managers.

We will provide free classroom instruction to property owners and managers, as well as other staff, which includes:

• Introduction to the Crime Free Lease Addendum
• Learning the eviction process
• Establishing fair screening
• Learning your legal rights and responsibilities
• Optimizing your professional relationship with law enforcement
• Terms of Programs Registration & Agreement
• Crime Free Lease Addendum

Staff from your local sheriff’s station will conduct an inspection of your property using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. CPTED is a nationally accepted multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior through environmental design. Staff will review findings and any areas that need improvement. The property must meet the minimum requirements of CPTED in order to move to Phase III. After passing the CPTED Inspection, the property will be authorized to order Crime Free Multi-Housing signs. The signs should be placed in strategic locations throughout your property.

An annual crime prevention safety social for property residents designed to bring managers, tenants, and local law enforcement together to inform tenants about the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. A final certificate is issued showing that the property has completed all phases of the program.

When criminals operate out of a rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay the price. That price may include:

• A decline in property value
• Property damage from neglect or abuse
• Increase risk of civil liability
• Added fear of respectable tenants
• Valued tenants move due to crime
• Loss of rental income due to eviction or property repair

• Improved property values
• A stable tenant base
• Improved property reputation
• Lower maintenance costs
• More secure rental units
• Safer exterior environment
• Reduced premise liability

For more information on the Crime Free Multi-Housing program or if you would like to get your property started, please contact your crime prevention officer.

Crime Free Multi-Housing Manager’s Training is designed for property owners, managers, and staff to learn to work with law enforcement to create a safer living environment for residents. All property staff is welcome to attend.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will be hosting Crime Free Multi-Housing Manager’s Training Classes on the following dates:

February 28th, 2023
April 25th, 2023
June 20th, 2023
August 29th, 2023
October 24th, 2023

Classes are held from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

For location information or to sign up for a class please call 909-387-3700.