EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
There's been a dramatic 50% reduction in crime in what was once considered by police to be one of Evansville's most crime-ridden apartments.
LexBrook Apartments is under new management and officials say a big reason why crime has dropped has been the policy of giving police an apartment unit to use free of charge.
It's a tactic used to cut down on previous shootings, drug trafficking, reports of prostitution, and other crimes.
"People go to the laundry mat and get robbed," said complex resident, Bernie Shaw.
Two years ago, a new management company took over the apartments. They evicted tenants, made renters re-apply, improved outdoor security lighting, and gave officers the unit on the complex's third floor.
Inside the police apartment, there's no bed, just tables, Internet service, and a kitchen. It serves as a break room giving officers a place to fill out paperwork, use the restroom, or make something to eat.
"The return on investment for the apartment complex is while the officers are there, there's a marked car sitting in the parking lot which serves as a crime deterrent. It's a win, win for us," said Jason Cullum with the Evansville Police Department.
The management company says they decided to use this tactic with police after it worked successfully several times in Lexington.
"Together, we actually achieve a low crime rate, higher visibility, greater communication between the community and police officers overall. It brings people who are far apart together," said Tim Scott, with Modern Property Management.
Residents like Shaw say they're glad to have police presence.
"I'd rather have them here than not," Shaw said.
EPD officials say this breakroom keeps officers closer to the areas they need to cover and helps save on gas.
The department has a similar set up on Evansville's west side at Cedar Trace Apartments.
14 NEWS asked EPD officials if this could be viewed as offering personal security to a private company. Officials say that was something they took into account before accepting the offer. However, due to such high call volume to LexBrook apartments in the past, officials say they decided that officers were at the complex often enough that it made sense to set up shop.
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