Mesa Police Department Crime Free Programs

The Mesa program is temporarily suspended pending the filling of both crime free positions, which applications are now being taken for (www.cityofmesa.org/jobs). If you are interested in attending Crime Free training to begin getting your property certified and do not want to wait, there are other valley agencies offering classes. Please call 480-644-2300, option 5 to be referred. If you have any questions regarding any of Mesa's Crime Free programs, please call 480-644-2620.

In Arizona, like other states, we have "Drug Free School Zones." This is not to imply there ARE no drugs in the school zone, but rather this is to warn that there are SERIOUS consequences for anyone who gets arrested for drug-related crimes in a school zone.

In Arizona, many corporations have a "Drug Free Workplace" policy. This is not to guarantee there ARE no drugs in the workplace, but rather to warn employees that there are SERIOUS consequences for anyone who is caught using drugs at work, bringing drugs to work, or for coming to work under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

In Arizona, the Mesa Police Department began the "Crime Free Programs" for apartment communities, townhomes/condominiums, mobile home parks, hotels/motels, self-storage lockets. etc.

The Crime Free Program does not imply there IS no crime in a designated area, but rather this is to warn that there are SERIOUS consequences for anyone affiliated with illegal activity on or near the designated area. These consequences can include immediate termination of rental agreements and the eviction of renters, their family members, and guests. The "One Strike You're Out" policy has since been applied to all Federal Section 8 (low-income) Housing communities across the United States of America.

Signs posted on the property do NOT state the area I a Crime Free or Drug Free Zone, but rather the signs state that the property has JOINED the Crime Free Program. The Crime Free Program requires all renters and invitees to live a 'crime free lifestyle' while on or near the designated area.

Renters must also sign a Crime Free Addendum to their lease. The management takes a 'zero tolerance' stance to criminal activity, and enforces the civil contract signed by the renters. In some states, like Arizona, the Crime Free Policy has also been codified into state law.

The program is not called a "Crime Reduction Program," because we are not asking people to live a 'crime reduced lifestyle -- we require they live a 'crime free lifestyle.'

We have not set up an "Anti-Crime Environment Program" because that would imply to renters that there is an expectation of safety in and around the environment that simply cannot be guaranteed. Crime knows no address. It can occur anywhere.

By simply stating, "We Have Joined The Crime Free Program" there are no guarantees made or implied about the physical environment. There are no guarantees made that criminal activity will not occur in a designated area.

The International Crime Free Programs have spread to over 1500 cities all across the United States and Canada, as well as to law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico, Japan, England, Finland, and Russia.