Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash
In our recent discussion on apartment budgeting, I delved into two pivotal concession line items: new and renewal concessions. These concessions play a crucial role in acquiring new leases and boosting retention rates. Over the coming weeks, I’ll explore various other discounts categorized as concessions. I invite you to join the conversation by leaving comments, tweeting, sharing, and more. Today, let’s discuss the “Courtesy Officer Concession.”
What is the Courtesy Officer Concession?
At its core, the courtesy officer concession aims to attract and retain both on-duty and off-duty uniformed police officers. In essence, officers are offered a rent discount in return for specific services. The scope of these services is clearly defined in advance. Here are some tasks that might fall under an officer’s purview:
- Conducting nightly patrols of the property.
- Identifying and tagging vehicles that are illegally parked, inoperable, or have expired license plates.
- Compiling daily reports, highlighting issues such as property lighting or incidents during a shift.
- Ensuring amenities like the Fitness Center, Laundry Rooms, and Pools are securely locked every night and monitoring the office for suspicious activities.
- Regularly inspecting the entry gate, noting any damages or times when it’s found non-functional.
- Keeping the management informed about crimes in or around the neighboring area.
- Upholding a consistent, approachable, and professional presence in the community, regardless of duty status.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it provides a comprehensive foundation if you’re considering this initiative for your property. The concession’s value can be calculated based on an hourly rate, a flat rate, or a per-project rate. However, any resulting discounts will be recognized as a courtesy officer concession.
Final Thoughts
Offering concessions in return for services from uniformed officers can be an invaluable addition to a community.
0 Responses
What are the insurance liabilities that surround this concept? Does the management company carry GL insurance on these officers? I assume that since these officers are off duty, then municipalities are not going to be liable for any lawsuits that may arise from incidents a courtesy officer was involved in.
Sal
You raise a really good question. I am going back to review the agreement that we have them sign as I know we address the insurance question but I’m not sure in what way. Once I have it clear in my head, I will post it here as a response to you.
Thank you for taking the time to remark.
M
mbrewer, did you ever figure out the insurance situation?
Many police officers are forced to work many different shifts, and often times alternating from day to night shift. If an apartment community has a courtesy officer that works a night shift, then this would leave a property vulnerable during the night when criminal activity is historically at its highest rate. It seems that it would make more since to hire a private security company, like Signal 88 Security of Greenville, who’s primary job would provide a consistent presence on the property they were hired to secure. Another huge benefit of hiring private security companies, is the fact that the vast majority carry an adequate amount of insurance to relieve the property owners of any high dollar lawsuits and liabilities that may present themselves.
Chas
Thanks for taking the time to remark. I do think private is the way to go and in the same respect the dollars and cents don’t work for every property.
Really appreciate you dropping by.
M