Keith Denner, center, receives his award last month in
Mesa, Ariz. with Tim Zehring (left) and Gerda Suess (right).

By Micholyn Fajen
Excerpts from the August 9th West Des Moines Register

Keith Denner, president of Professional Property Management Inc., which manages Sun Prairie Apartments in West Des Moines, was the recipient of the International Crime Free Gerda Suess Landlord of the Year Award in Mesa, Arizona in July.

The award is presented to the owner or landlord of a multi-housing community whose dedication has been a significant contribution to the prevention of crime.

"We have zero tolerance for any criminal activity. If we have serious offenders as tenants, they are gone in three days," said Denner, who, in partnership with the West Des Moines Police Department, helps to reduce crime, assist with investigations, and raise the standards for quality living within the 80-acre complex.

"He is one of those who is ahead of the game in a lot of areas. They are very proactive with us when we need something from him, he is the first one to help out," said Hartshorn, who began the Crime Free program for businesses in 1988. Typical complaints at housing complexes include abandoned vehicles, illegally parked vehicles and disturbances.

Sun Prairie's management was the first to jump on board with Hartshorn's program in 1988, developing a strong relationship with the city over the years.

The number of calls to Sun Prairie, which has 3,000 tenants, has been cut in half since Sun Prairie's staff became trained in the program.

"If there is a disturbance or disruption we contact them so they can give them a seven-day notice. But they also have more on the property than we do, they have the right to evict, and we do not," Hartshorn said.

Denner said the complex trains everyone on his staff, from maintenance to the leasing office workers, to recognize the signs of criminal behavior and empowers them to take action.

"We can choose who lives here and we turn down one-third of those who apply be it because of poor credit or criminal background," he said. "We're proud of the safe environment we have created for our tenants and we work very hard to maintain those high standards."