Austin landlords agree: Crime doesn't pay. Crime-fighting does.

That's why more landlords are participating in the Austin Police Department's Crime-Free Housing Management training program.

They are embarrassed that multi-housing units have become crime-infested. which discourages law-abiding citizens from leasing their units.

They have run out of patience for tenants who abuse lease agreements.

They don't want to have to raise the rent for the next tenant, because of a previous tenant's errant ways.

They are tired of lengthy legal battles in the court system to evict a tenant.

They are fed-up.

Now, they are seeing the benefits of doing what is necessary to make multi-housing units crime-free.

Veteran Austin police officer Steve Wald has conducted the training program for the last three years. "We probably have had 30 landlords go through the training since we started," Wald said. "It only takes one day or six hours of their time and that's a pretty small investment to make for some peace of mind."

The latest session was held Wednesday at the Austin-Mower County Law Enforcement Center.

After greetings from Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp, Wald went to work.

Karen Mattson of the Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority discussed the importance of background and credit checks on prospective tenants.

Marlys Sorlie, communications supervisor at the LEC, discussed criminal background checks.

Next, Craig Hoium examined zoning issues. Hoium is the city of Austin's planning director.

Lee Bjorndahl, an attorney with the firm of Baudler, Baudler, Maus & Blahnik, the Austin city attorneys, examined legal issues.

Wald taught a session on physical security, including his own on-site physical survey of the apartment dwellings.

Terry Fox of Fox Electric pointed out lighting options for landlords and a representative of the Austin Fire Department discussed the city's fire code.

The day's training ended with

sessions from Austin Police Department representatives on drugs and gangs.

Afterwards, the participants were given certificates to go with the information and new ideas presented by Wald.

"I think the old adage applies here that every little bit helps," Philipp said. "The Neighborhood Watch program, law enforcements doing their duties and the crime-free multi-housing training are all components, all are pieces of the puzzle, that can help."

Among the student-landlords was Peter Grover. "I really appreciate the training and pointing out what landlords can do," said Grover. "It's comforting to know there is a support system for landlords."

Diane Tigner, manager at the new 88-unit Murphy's Creek Townhomes, said, "I've learned some very good information today."

Tigner said she would share the information with Murphy's Creek Townhomes owners to see what needs to be implemented for the betterment of the housing development.

Mary Stuhr, manager of Kenwood Apartments along 4th Street NW, said, "I learned a lot. I thought the city attorney's presentation was very helpful.

Many of the landlords and apartment managers said the information about background investigations and credit checks were the most valuable and something they would try to implement for their housing owners.

Philipp said Austin's program was patterned after the Minnesota Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program implemented by the Rochester Police Department five years ago. The police chief also said he believes Rochester's program was so successful it "forced some of their riff-raff to move elsewhere and we're one of the places they chose."

Philipp hopes the Austin program is embraced by landlords all over the city and implemented in apartment units of all sizes. At Wednesday's training session, the participants included representatives fro Mandolin Apartments, Austin's largest single multi-housing development.

The police chief noted, the city's changing diversity "brings a whole new set of issues" to conquer. Those issues include language barriers, the inability to read lease agreements written in English and cultural norms that appear abnormal in a small Midwestern city.

What does the police chief believe to be an important crime-fighting tool for landlords? Answer: background checks. He calls it a "simple, but powerful tool."

What does Wald recommend? The police officer likes the survey of the physical security of a building, where, he said, "Little things like lighting or the removal of shrubs can make a difference."

Both the police chief and the patrolman also said they are encouraged by the renewed interest in forming Neighborhood Watch groups. To date, there are eight active Neighborhood Watch organizations.

Wald is the police liaison for forming a Watch unit. Next week, he will assist residents at Bremerton Apartments form their own Neighborhood Watch organization.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com

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