Crime Free Mini-Storage

Police Badge
600 East Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201-4491
573-874-7652/FAX: 573-874-3142

The mission of the
Police Department
is to reduce crime and improve public safety by enforcing the law, solving problems, providing crime prevention education and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for community safety and quality of life.

Crime Free Mini Storage Program

mstorage

The Columbia Crime Free Mini-Storage Program was designed to help renters, owners, and managers of mini-storage properties keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property.

This program is honest and direct. It is solution oriented. It is designed to be easy, yet very effective in reducing the incidents of crime in mini-storage properties.

The program utilizes a unique three-part approach which ensures the crime prevention goal, while remaining very customer friendly. Phase One involves a four-hour seminar presented by the police department. Phase Two will certifies that the mini-storage facility has met the security requirements of the Columbia Police Department. After full certification, the managers will be granted the use of large metal signs for display on the property. The management will also be granted the use of the police department's program logo in all advertisements.

Benefits:

A stable, more satisfied tenant base.
Increased demand in storage facilities with a reputation for active management .
Lower maintenance and repair costs .
Peace of mind that comes from spending more time on routine management and less time on crisis control.
Appreciative renters.
Reduced criminal activity.
Increased property recovery rate by police.

Cost of Drug Activity in Mini Storage Facilities

When criminals and other destructive tenants operate out of mini-storage properties, landlords and tenants pay a high price.

That price may include:

Property damage arising from abuse, burglaries and police raids
Fire resulting from storage of dangerous materials
Civil penalties, including temporary closure of the property -- or even property seizure
Loss of rent during the eviction and repair periods
Fear and frustration when dealing with dangerous and threatening tenants
Increased resentment and anger between renters and property managers
The loss of valued renters
Decrease in demand for storage units
Thousands of dollars in stolen property

The Crime Free Mini-Storage Program Will Teach You...

Prevention Techniques

Preparing the property so it does not attract crime
Applicant screening procedures
Rental agreements
Crime Free Lease Addendum
Warning signs of illegal activity
Actions you must take if you discover illegal activity at your property

Proven Management Techniques

On-going management
Spotting illegal activity
Evictions
Working with the police
How to become a pro-active property manager
Crisis resolution

Property Protection

C.P.T.E.D. (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
Fire Safety

Resource Materials

Police Department issued literature addressing criminal activity in mini-storage facilities
Fire Department issued literature addressing fire safety in mini-storage facilities

Criteria for Program

Renter's Obligation to Provide:

Valid photo I.D.
Social Security Number
Date of birth
Current address and telephone number
Emergency telephone numbers
A police accepted padlock for use on the storage locker

NOTE: Renter must also maintain a current inventory of contents inside the storage locker.

Property Manager's Obligations:

Attend the four hour training course
Require tenants to use police accepted padlocks on the storage locker
Require the use of break away tape on all locks
Keep all empty lockers locked
Post official "No Trespassing" signs in visible locations on the property and prosecute all violations
Patrol the property at least daily to deter and discover criminal activity
Provide police random access 24 hours a day to storage facility to patrol the property and walk through facility with drug detection dogs
Provide the police department's Crime Free Programs Coordinator with monthly lists of new tenants
Require renters to sign the Crime Free Lease Addendum

Program contact:

Officer Tim Thomason

Office: (573) 874-7426

Email: tethomas@gocolumbiamo.com

Some helpful links:

Mid America Crime Free Inc. www.midamericacrimefree.com A 501(c)3 to assist cities in MO, KS, IA, and NE in improving the quality of life in the housing/lodging/ storage industries.

International Crime Free Association www.crime-free-association.org More tips on Crime Free Multi Housing

Conducting Background Checks www.accudataservices.com Accudata Credit Systems - a mid Missouri company providing nationwide criminal and credit background checks and dedicated to Crime Free Programs

Boone County Missouri Sex Offender Registry www.showmeboone.com/sheriff
A list of registered sex offenders residing in Boone County Missouri

Emergency Planning www.ready.gov Preparing for any emergency situation. Information prepared by U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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