574 Walnut St. Pottstown, Owner: William Heuer

This is an an excellent example of exterior doors I see on lots of rental properties in Pottstown.

CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

This concept has been evolving since it’s inception in the 1960’s.  Simplistically, it’s comprised of 4 elements:

• Target Hardening, at the center of the chart, is where properties are made safe for their occupants with window locks, solid deadbolt exterior locks, and so forth, aka: DETERRENTS.

  Combined with elements of good street lighting, natural surveillance and defining public from private spaces, CPTED is recognized by the Department of Justice as a vital deterrent to crime that goes hand in hand with Community Policing.

547 Walnut St. is a crime, figuratively speaking.  In actuality, in its’ current condition – it is a place, a slum rental, waiting for crime to happen.

The tenant relays this information:

“The window was sealed shut.  I was told that wasn’t a violation of fire code, took 6 months to have it “fixed” no other Windows were done, even though he <William Heuer> was cited for them all …oh and let’s not forget the deadbolt …12 months of complaining this is all he’s done since I’ve been here and, even though its been freezing out the borough gave him another 90 day extension after I asked for another inspection in January because he never fixed violations from inspection that was performed in July 2014″

Figuratively speaking ^^^ that is a crime of negligence on behalf of Heuer and the Borough.

574 Walnut St. on the County Property site

In actuality, this place needs to be off-limits to renters until it is made safe.

***I wouldn’t recommend renting this place in this condition, if you are looking for a place to live.  It’s especially not safe for women, children or the elderly.

vvv check County Records for all of Heuer’s income property addresses vvv

http://propertyrecords.montcopa.org/search/CommonSearch.aspx?mode=OWNER

In fact, you will want to beware of any properties owned by William Heuer.  Check his colorful history of civil lawsuits and evictions.  He’s been spreading joy and goodwill in Pottstown since the 1980’s.

In many towns across the nation, the Police Departments are responsible for Landlord Training, using the CSTED methodology, which you can read about here, on the DOJ’s COPS site, “Problem Solving Tools”

I suggest that by implementing the Better Landlord Program in Pottstown ASAP and, utilizing their expertise, the same objectives can be accomplished without adding to the work load of the police.  However it’s accomplished…

Removing opportunities for crime will benefit the work of the PPD, the L & I and make our town a whole lot safer and more attractive to law abiding people.

The winter of 2014/2015 is nearly behind us now and I can say – with all certainty – that Hell Froze Over in Pottstown.

Most Pottstownians anticipate Spring with mixed emotions, (IMPENDING DOOM) a friend just labeled it.  Crime becomes more evident on our streets and nuisance behaviors escalate.

I ask Council, after giving a nice reprieve to the landlords with safety inspections every 24 months ….

WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  IMPLEMENT THE BETTER LANDLORD PROGRAM.