Chamber leads crime prevention efforts

Updated: October 14, 2009

The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting city officials on a trip to Davenport today to learn more about the effective crime prevention techniques employed by the Davenport Police Department.

The trip will equip representatives from Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty and Johnson County with best practices to address local crime.

“Economic vitality is contingent on a safe, healthy environment attractive to entrepreneurs and workers,” said Nancy Quellhorst, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce president & CEO. “The Chamber is pleased to be among partners investigating the issues and identifying potential solutions.”

Coralville Police Chief Barry Bedford; Marcia Bollinger, City of Iowa City Neighborhood Services Coordinator; Amy Correia, Iowa City Council member and Johnson County Social Services Coordinator; Officer Steve Fortman, Iowa City Police Department; Tracey Mulcahey, City of North Liberty Assistant City Administrator and Rebecca Neades, Chamber Vice President & Director of Public Policy are participating.

Attendees met at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office, 325 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, to carpool to Davenport. Corporal Mark Burger of the Davenport Police Department will address the group at 11 a.m. at the Davenport police station at 416 N. Harrison Street.

The Davenport Crime Free Multi Housing Program is a partnership between law enforcement and rental property managers to help tenants, owners, and managers keep drugs and illegal activities off rental property. The program uses a unique three part approach which ensures tenant friendly techniques will be applied to maintain crime prevention goals.

PHASE ONE involves an eight hour seminar presented by police, neighborhood enhancement, city legal, magistrates, fire department, and public housing.
PHASE TWO certifies that the rental property has met the security requirements for the tenant’s safety.
PHASE THREE involves the tenants in a crime prevention meeting.