Town of Cary issued the following announcement on Mar. 24.
Growing from a dozen to more than 50 participating communities, the Cary Police Department’s Project PHOENIX initiative is celebrating “10+1” years of partnership with Cary’s multifamily communities this month. Launched in 2011, Project PHOENIX (Promoting Healthy Occupancy through Education, Networking and Information Exchange) pairs police officers with property managers and residents to share information, develop strategies for solving problems, and address the unique safety needs and characteristics of each participating community. Delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s milestone celebration is focused on strengthening partnerships with managers and increasing support for communities through in-person events.
“We had to limit our face-to-face interaction over the past two years due to COVID, so some of the ways we connect with our PHOENIX communities had to change,” said Community Services and Project PHOENIX Sgt. Dustin Wright. “This year, we’re excited to celebrate the growth of the program and more than a decade of successful partnership with the people who deserve all the credit - the property managers and the residents.”
To participate in Project PHOENIX, a property must meet and maintain certain requirements, such as having drug and crime-free housing language on the lease and implementing crime prevention techniques such as solid core front doors with deadbolt locks, and adequate lighting and signage on buildings. Property managers must also attend a one-day property management workshop and host at least one social event each year. Cary officers serve as a resource to participating communities, with a PHOENIX officer assigned to each property. Their presence helps to deter crime and increase feelings of personal safety for residents. They are also able to identify other valuable community partnerships and make connections, such as inviting Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department to provide recreation programming to underserved populations and hosting block parties and giveaways with community organizations.
“What started as a way for Cary PD and our apartment communities to address crime and promote personal safety has expanded to looking at all of the needs of the community and bringing in additional support,” said Wright. “We’ve been able to host bike and helmet giveaways, mask giveaways, Christmas shopping events and more thanks to the support of Cary organizations who want to help their neighbors.”
Citizens and organizations interested in partnering with Project PHOENIX can reach out to Community Engagement Coordinator Savanna Click at savanna.click@townofcary.org. For more information about Project PHOENIX, visit townofcary.org.
Original source can be found here.
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