SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Affordable housing in San Diego is going "crime free."
Eddie Medina lives in a three-bedroom townhouse at Casa Puleta Apartments in Mountain View. His family's rent is $1,167 dollars per month. When they moved in 15 years, there were so safety issues.
"People were coming in and stealing parts from vehicles and other stuff. People would take recyclables," said Medina.
But about seven years ago, the property manager signed up for the city's "Crime-free Multi-housing program." Police spent many hours training apartment staff and residents to be proactive in preventing crime.
"We take care of each other really good, something they see ... not afraid to report," said Medina.
"The whole idea is to empower the residents to see something, say something," said Marsha Lyon of SAY San Diego, which helps coordinate the program.
Something else Medina has seen was unexpected.
"Not only do we all live here, we're all family," said Medina.
Building design is another facet of the program. Among the improvements in the community: security cameras, 180-degree peepholes, and LED lighting.
A sign identifies the apartments as a police-certified member of the program, one of nearly 100 certified apartment communities - most of them affordable housing.
San Diego Police Officer Luis Roman, who coordinates the program for police, says major crimes have dropped drastically in the apartment communities, especially the larger ones.
"We have a drop in calls for service, about 90 percent," said Roman.
For more information about the crime-free multi-housing program, click on this link.
If you're interested in learning which apartment communities are certified, email mlyon@saysandiego.org.
