More than 6,200 residents affected
RELEASED May 8, 2014
For more information contact: Julaine Harris, (901) 509-8577 / [email protected]
MEMPHIS, TN – Twelve months into a new Safeways program to reduce crime and make apartment neighborhoods more livable, 13 properties have met requirements and are designated as Safeways Certified Communities. Two more are nearing that status.
Certification was achieved by properties operated by three of the largest apartment complex owners/managers in Memphis and Shelby County — ALCO Management, LEDIC and Makowsky, Ringel and Greenberg (MRG). The certified apartment communities are: Greenbriar, Pershing Park, Saints Court, Breezy Point and Rolling Hills, operated by ALCO; Milcreek, Hillcrest, The Posts and Autumn Ridge, operated by LEDIC; Casa Del Rey, University Highlands, The Elington at Kirby and Eton Square, managed by MRG.
Centennial Gardens and Fieldstone, both operated by LEDIC, are working to attain certification.
“Attaining the status of a Safeways Certified Community is not a silver bullet that itself eliminates crime forever,” said Julaine K. Harris, executive director of Safeways.
“What it does mean is each of these properties has agreed to basic components — including setting up certain safety measures, such as adopting the District Attorney General’s Anti-Trespass program, managers signing up for the Memphis Police Department’s CyberWatch program, assessing resident needs and engaging various providers for intervention strategies,” she added.
“At the end of the day it mean that residents should expect a richer quality of life and hopefully feel a true sense of community.”
Harris said equally good news is the fact that 10 more apartment complexes operated by the current Safeways owners/managers and other apartment managers are seeking to enroll in the Safeways project.
The announcements were made today at ALCO-managed Greenbriar Apartments in Frayser. Officials unveiled the prototype of a Safeways Certified Community sign, telling residents and visitors they are entering a property participating in the Safeways project.
In his remarks today, City of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. applauded the success achieved so far by Safeways, which is a partnership of many organizations and government agencies.
“To understand the impact of these properties that have been certified, they represent 3,353 apartment units and at least 6,200 residents who now live in an environment that fosters more safety and a better life where they live,” the Mayor said. “That is the kind of impact that Safeways can have on more and more of our citizens.”
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell added that the Safeways initiative is one piece in a county-wide effort to help children and families exposed to violence, and to reduce the potential for experiencing violence or abuse in the future.
“The Safeways project shows how effective collaboration can be between public and private sectors to reduce crime and to protect our citizens,” Luttrell said.
Other speakers at Thursday’s press conference included Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich; Major Charles Newell, representing Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong; Robert Hyde, president of ALCO, and Dave Carlson, Safeways Board chair.
###
About Safeways
Safeways provides apartment complex managers and owners technical assistance and training to help them meet specific standards in efforts to reduce crime and improve living conditions for residents. The nonprofit agency promotes safety and quality of life initiatives through various onsite programs by partnering with government agencies and other nonprofits. For more information, please visit
www.safeways.org.