Bath landlord group making impact on chronic problems
'The purpose of the screenings is to keep the criminal element from seeking residency in the village.' - David Rouse Bath police chief
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

BATH - It's only in its infant stages, but the Bath Area Landlord Association has already made its mark.

Criminal complaints are down at troublesome apartment Complexes in and around the village, and a handful of criminals has been taken off the street as a result of the organization's diligence.

In August 2006, BALA, in connection with the Bath Police Department and Bath Credit Services, began its effort to rid the village of criminal activity, primarily drug-related, at area apartments.

According to Bath Police Chief David Rouse, "nearly 100 Percent" of criminal activity In the village occurs at rented homes.

The premise of the operation is simple: Landlords screen prospective tenants before allowing them to move into an apartment.

The background checks are thorough. The Bath Police Department queries prospective tenants against a list of wanted individuals, the sex offender registry and a local criminal database.

To date, police have screened more than 125 potential tenants, according to Rouse.

Federal law prohibits Bath Police from running the names through such databases as the National Crime Information Center or the New York Statewide Police Information Network, but authorities have proven local checks produce results.

Rouse said his department investigates fewer criminal complaints at known trouble spots now, and two fugitives from New Jersey were arrested after police looked into their background.

"The purpose of the screenings is to keep the criminal element from seeking residency in the village," Rouse said. "It's a big crime-prevention program. I think it's been very effective."

The credit checks, BALA leader David Lewis said, also help landlords screen tenants. He said domestic disturbances are often related to those with poor credit.

"A lot of times those things run hand-in-h and," Lewis said.

Rouse said the drug trade from New York City to Rochester creates part of Bath's problem with transients. Many who move the narcotics often set up in Bath because of the convenient access to Interstate Highway 86.

Approximately 50-60 landlords are participating in the association, and there are approximately 500 rented units in the village, Lewis said.

More landlords are getting involved, Rouse said. "I would like to see every landlord get involved with this program," Rouse said.

According to Lewis, the association benefits residents as much as it helps the police. "We just want a nice, safe community to raise our families," Lewis said.

Lewis said BALA plans to partner with Neighborhood Watch to better help combat crimes and improve the quality of life.

"We have a lot of common interests," he said. "We're not vigilantes. We report what we see."

Despite the increased vigilance, Lewis said landlords are not discriminating. Lewis and Rouse added that no tenants are denied an apartment because of race, sex or sexual orientation.

"We don't think all tenants are bad," Lewis said. "Some people just choose to rent, but they're still good citizens."