The Tampa Police Department and at least 68 apartment complexes throughout the city are on a mission to create crime-free communities.

Crews at the Meridian Pointe Apartment Complex on East Hillsborough Avenue are tightening door locks, installing new lighting, and securing windows.

They want to not only give residents peace of mind but also get criminals out of the apartments.

"People that hanging around nighttime, you know, stealing cars," one resident said.

"They be out on the back smoking, smoking weed," said another resident.

Those are just a few of the key components of this crime-free initiative, involving police, complex managers, and residents.

"We all work together to keep illegal activity off the properties," said Kaytronya Brown of the Tampa Police Department.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor presented the property manager at Meridian Pointe with the first Crime-Free sign, meaning it’s the first property to be certified by the Tampa Police.

Apartment complexes have to go through a three phase process to be certified.

First, management will have to take an eight hour course at the police department. Second, they will most likely have to put at least some money into safety enhancements. Then, they’ll have to let all residents know about this new program.

"We can't do it without the police,” said Bob Kelsey of Meridian Pointe.  “The police can't do it without us, and we can't do it without the people sitting in here, which are the residents."

Residents said it’s a big step forward in getting their communities crime-free.

"It's going to make a lot of difference," said one resident.

Crews are working on replacing doors that are easy to kick in. Managers are also going to speed up the eviction process for people caught dealing drugs on the property.

They’ll also ensure all of the plants and trees are trimmed to give guards and property management a better view of what’s going on in the complex.

In addition to Meridian Pointe, 67 more properties are in the process of getting certified and even more are on a waiting list to become part of the program.