IREM takes aim at crime problem in city.

In the past few months the topic of crime seems to be on the minds of almost everyone. Newspapers, TV and news magazines report that crime is the number one concern of most Americans.

It's also a major concern for everyone in the real estate industry, and the reason why is explained in some chilling statistics.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Uniform Crime Reports, crime against property, such as vandalism or theft, is the most common violent crime committed in America today. Crimes against property occur at the alarmingly high rate of one every two seconds. That compares with one every 29 seconds for assault and one every 10 seconds for burglary.

This epidemic of crime is placing a greater responsibility on today's real estate professionals, especially property managers, whose job is to ensure the safety of their buildings' residents and commercial tenants as well as customers, staff and guests.

In an effort to meet this challenge head-on, the Institute of Real Estate Management has launched a new nationwide program called the IREM SMART Partners Program. SMART stands for Safety Management Alliance of Residents and Tenants.

The objective of this program is to create a better environment for tenants in multifamily residential, office and retail buildings by reducing risks of criminal activity.

IREM National President Beverly A. Roachell, CPM, is asking IDEM's nationwide network of 9,000 Certified Property Managers and 3,200 Accredited Residential Managers and the 91 IREM chapters nationally to get actively involved in helping residents and tenants from effective total community watch programs.

The IREM SMART Partners Program will be strongly education based, providing practical safety information that is relevant to all communities, regardless of current demographics and crime rates. This will include publications, a seminar, brochures and guides. IREM also plans to hold educational program throughout the country that would bring together some of the nation's top specialized experts on crime and safety.

This program makes good business sense for real estate owners and managers. In today's litigious environment property owners are increasingly being held liable for crimes occurring on their properties. Property managers need to be aware of the full extent of their responsibility to provide an environment that is a crime-free as possible.

The Greater New York Chapter No.26 of IREM is urging its members to participate in this very worthwhile and timely program. By working together with tenants, residents, social service agencies and law enforcement officials, property managers can make a difference in reducing and preventing crime.