![]() ![]() The possibility of legal action that could subject the complex to being seized, coupled with the potential business license loss through the chronic nuisance process, brought the owner of the complex to the table, along with a willingness to address concerns. ![]() Since many of the search warrants served at the complex were narcotics-related and tenants used narcotic proceeds to pay their rent, at times in cash, the police department’s legal staff was able to reason that the complex was benefiting and profiting from narcotics sales, making the complex subject to forfeiture or seizure. LVMPD used narcotic seizure laws to encourage the owner to act. However, working through the county's chronic nuisance process was not enough to bring the needed changes to the complex. The county was able to designate the property as a chronic nuisance, enabling law enforcement to serve legal warnings and hasten an in-person meeting with the property owner. The owner, who could make decisions and changes regarding the property, was receiving inaccurate information from the property manager about the issues and crime happening at the complex. ![]() It was essential to get the property owner on board for the project to be effective. Police needed a way to keep everyone motivated, give complex owners a vested interest in the project and demonstrate that LVMPD would be there for the community over the long term. But, before the project began, there was no cohesive plan or strategy between the three stakeholders that could be maintained. Officers spent years building a network of community partners to combat the underlying causes of crime. The key to success would be getting the police, community and apartment management to work together. The plan to help the struggling property was dubbed the “Phoenix Zone,” to signal the area’s rebirth and rise from the ashes. Officers conducted resident surveys and analyzed crime data. SEAC leaders began to map out their strategy by first walking the property at all hours to get a picture of the types of problems that were occurring. The three weapons LVMPD used to fight blight were enforcement, education and outreach. Left to right: Crime Prevention Specialist Cynthia Raichel, Captain Reggie Rader, COP Sergeant Matthew Arnold, COP Officer Okechukwu Meke and COP Officer Kara Mahon worked to educate the owner, management and residents about how to boost security on the property. ![]()
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