security


	Are you concerned about security? We are! At Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority we believe that all our residents should be secure at the properties that we own and maintain. That's why we take the following precautions:


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We conduct criminal background checks on all applicants for housing. If a potential resident has a record of a serious crime or drug trafficking, it could result in the denial of admission.

PMHA has a safety and security coordinator on staff who will listen to your security concerns. The coordinator will be glad to answer your questions and address any new issues that you bring to our attention.

Locks and keys - Each time a renter moves out of PMHA unit, our maintenance depatment changes the locks at all entries. Previous residents will not have a key that fits your lock. Of course, PMHA will have access for emergencies, but the only other people who have a key to your home will be you and the people you give them to.

Lighting- PMHA provides exterior lighting at all of its developments to assist the resident and to deter crime.

Fencing and crime prevention through environmental design. "See-through" fencing has been erected at one family development in order to prevent easy passage of people who do not belong on the premises. PMHA plans for future environmental design for defensible space at its other sites.

Enhanced police protection and volunteer tenant patrol at our family developments. Through our public Housing Drug Elimination Program PMHA has a contract with local police and sheriff for extra patrol services. Our volunteer tenant patrol is trained to observe and report to local enforcement agencies.

	Main entries at our high rise buildings are locked at all times. Residents and staff gain entry through a key card. Once inside the building, each resident has a key to his or her apartment. Visitors must use a call system before a resident or an employee will allow entry to the visitor. Front door security cameras allow a resident to view the front entrance on their televison sets. Each high rise apartment is equipped with an emergency response system (pull cord) for police, fire, or ambulance.

		"One strike, you're out" policy - PMHA has adopted a policy which states that people living in public housing who engage in drug or other criminal activity will face legal action which could lead to eviction and termination of housing assistance.