JERSEY CITY'S EXPERIMENT IN TENANT SAFETY

• NCJ Number: 45205
• Author(s): N S PIRO
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM HUD CHALLENGE (MAY 1974) RESIDENTIAL SECURITY ISSUE

Annotation

THE INTRODUCTION OF TENANT SECURITY PATROLS AND THE REFURBISHING OF INTERIOR SPACES IN JERSEY CITY'S LOW-INCOME HI-RISE PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEXES ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE CITY'S INITIAL EFFORTS TO CURB THE DETERIORATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ITS PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS WERE CONCENTRATED ON THE A. HARRY MOORE COMPLEX, VIEWED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS AS 'UNMANAGEABLE' AND BY TENANTS AS 'THE TOUGHEST.' TENANTS AND HOUSING AUTHORITY OFFICIALS MET TO DETERMINE INTERIOR REPAIR PRIORITIES. REFURBISHING CONSISTED OF PLASTERING AND PAINTING HALLWAYS IN COLORS OF THE TENANTS' CHOICE, TILING, PAINTING STAIRWELLS, REPLACING METAL-PLATED WINDOWS, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. AS REFURBISHING PROCEEDED, BUILDING PATROL ORGANIZATION BEGAN. TENANTS DESIGNED PATROL BUTTONS TO BE WORN BY VOLUNTEER PATROL MEMBERS, WHO RECEIVED SPECIAL TRAINING PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THEIR LOBBY PATROL DUTIES. AS TENANTS FROM OTHER BUILDINGS NOTED THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND THOSE OF THE A. HARRY MOORE RESIDENTS, OTHER PATROL ORGANIZATIONS WERE FORMED AND REFURBISHING PROJECTS BEGUN. INTEREST IN TENANT PATROL ORGANIZATION SURPASSED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S CAPACITY FOR UNDERTAKING CONCOMITANT REFURBISHING. PARTICIPATION IN THE TENANT PATROLS HAS CROSSED AGE, RACE, AND FAMILY-SIZE BARRIERS. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED.