PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Police are working with owners to crime-proof their properties in a busy part of central Phoenix, and the effort is paying off.
The city has identified five focus areas along 19th Avenue where police are working with property owners to tackle crime. Officials say a big piece of this effort involves meeting with owners about simple steps they can take to prevent crime on their properties.
Phoenix Police Officer Eric Boardman, a community action officer at the Desert Horizon Precinct, conducts crime prevention audits on properties throughout the area.
“So when we arrive, I’m looking for areas where people could hide, and I want to eliminate those areas,” Boardman said. “We want the public to have a clear line of sight from the street looking into the property.”
At the Mesquite Terrace Apartment Complex on 19th Avenue and Camelback Road, Boardman made several recommendations to management. The property had overgrown vegetation that provided hiding spots for potential criminals.
“There was a tree right here. This was overgrown. The bushes right here were probably 5 feet high,” Boardman said.
Cutting down foliage was one of several recommendations Boardman made to Mesquite management. He also suggested additional lighting and cameras, along with “no trespassing” signs so they could sign an “authority to arrest” agreement.
“It’s only when the business is closed and we can then come on the property on their behalf and enforce trespassing,” Boardman explained.
The complex also added lock boxes for officers so they can get into the buildings quickly if they’re called out for help.
Tonya Hollingsworth from Mesquite Terrace said they asked police for help curbing crime on their property after more residents called management with concerns.
“They did not feel safe to walk around, especially at night,” Hollingsworth said.
Six months later, Hollingsworth says the extensive list of improvements is paying off.
“It was a big list. It was a lot of work, but there’s a lot of reward to that work,” Hollingsworth said.
Police say from the first half of 2025 to the second half of 2025, there were approximately 18% fewer calls for service on the apartment complex’s property.
It is one of several properties they’re collaborating with on 19th and Camelback. Similar work is happening on 19th and Campbell Avenue, Glendale Avenue, Bethany Home Road and Northern Avenue.
Nick Valenzuela, special projects administrator for the City of Phoenix, says these are the top five focus areas along the corridor. Their goal is to cut crime and help residents feel protected.
“What can you do to make your residents feel safer, but also reduce the incidents that may be coming onto your property,” Valenzuela explained.
While these audits are only one piece of the puzzle, Valenzuela said every piece counts.
“People want to feel safe. They want to be able to go to Fry’s. They want to be able to take the light rail and just feel safe and know that they’re not going to have anyone try to attack them,” Valenzuela said.
Any property owner in the city of Phoenix, whether a business or home owner, can request a crime prevention audit through Phoenix police by reaching out to the precinct they fall under.
You can find more information about the city’s Community Safety Plans by clicking/tapping here.
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