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CPTED / HB 837 Security Assessments

Practical security assessments with clear documentation.

GCSS provides CPTED and HB 837 assessment services for HOAs, condominium associations, multifamily properties, property managers, and businesses — backed by law enforcement experience, CPTED training, and professional documentation.

HB 837 / Florida Statute §768.0706

A statutory pathway toward a presumption against liability.

Florida Statute §768.0706 provides qualifying multifamily property owners or principal operators a pathway toward a presumption against liability in connection with certain criminal acts committed on the property by third parties when the statutory security measures are substantially implemented.

A current CPTED assessment is one component of that framework. GCSS assessment documentation is designed to support that statutory pathway by documenting property conditions, recommendations, corrective work, and other relevant records. The resulting documentation may also support insurance underwriting and risk-management conversations, including possible premium-reduction discussions, without any guarantee of lower rates or a specific insurance outcome.

For purposes of the statute, the CPTED assessment must be no more than three years old and must be performed by a law enforcement agency or a Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner designated by the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute.

Key HB 837 Security Measures

Security cameras at property entry and exit points with retrievable recordings maintained for at least 30 days
Parking-lot lighting meeting the statutory illumination standard from dusk until dawn
Lighting in walkways, laundry rooms, common areas, and porches from dusk until dawn
Required dwelling-unit deadbolts and locking devices on windows, exterior sliding doors, and applicable doors
Locked gates with key or fob access along pool-fence areas
Peepholes or door viewers on applicable dwelling-unit doors
A current CPTED assessment completed by a qualifying law enforcement agency or designated Florida CPTED Practitioner
Proper employee crime-deterrence and safety training, including training for new employees within 60 days of hire

The owner or principal operator bears the burden of demonstrating substantial implementation of the statutory measures. GCSS does not provide legal opinions, insurance guarantees, compliance guarantees, or guarantees of a presumption against liability, reduced premiums, or any particular legal or insurance outcome.

Who This Is For

Clear fit for decision-makers.

Built for properties and organizations that need practical observations, organized documentation, and a professional security-minded review.

HOA / Condo Associations

Shared spaces, common areas, access, lighting, and board documentation needs.

Multifamily / HB 837

Statute-focused support for qualifying residential properties, including apartments, townhouses, and condominium properties with five or more dwelling units on a particular parcel.

Managers

Findings that can be reviewed, prioritized, documented, and tracked.

Commercial

Exterior, access, visibility, lighting, and documentation review.

Insurance & Risk

Documentation that may support conversations with carriers, underwriters, or risk managers, including possible premium-reduction discussions without any guarantee of lower rates.

What GCSS Reviews

Security-minded property conditions people actually see.

Beyond the statutory checklist, GCSS reviews the property through a practical CPTED lens — looking at how people move through the site, where visibility improves or breaks down, how access is controlled, and which conditions may affect safety, documentation, or follow-up planning.

Lighting & Visibility

How lighting works in real conditions, including visibility, shadows, glare, blocked fixtures, transition areas, and locations where poor illumination may affect observation or movement.

Access & Movement

How residents, visitors, vendors, and vehicles move through the property, including entrances, pedestrian routes, transition areas, access points, and areas where control or wayfinding may need improvement.

Natural Surveillance

Sightlines, landscaping, concealment areas, activity spaces, signage, and other conditions that may either support or reduce natural observation by residents, staff, and visitors.

Documentation

Clear findings, photographs, practical recommendations, corrective items, and follow-up information organized for board, management, vendor, or insurance-related review.

Five-Step Process

A clear path from consultation to completion.

The process stays straightforward so boards, managers, and owners can understand the next step. For qualifying HB 837 engagements, GCSS can also provide site-specific employee crime deterrence and safety training tailored to the assessed property.

01

Brief consultation

Confirm property type, goals, timeline, and whether CPTED / HB 837 assessment support is the right fit.

02

Preliminary property review

Identify obvious gaps, documentation issues, or correctable items before the final HB 837 assessment and written report.

03

Correction window

Allow management, the board, or vendors to address practical fixes before the final assessment documentation is completed.

04

Final assessment & report

Receive a written findings report with photos, prioritized recommendations, and documentation suitable for board review, management files, or insurance conversations. Most final reports are delivered within 5 business days after the final assessment.

05

Site-Specific Employee Training

Provide crime deterrence and safety training tailored to the property, incorporating applicable security measures, relevant site conditions, and property-specific examples and photographs from the assessment. Completion documentation is provided for management records.

Engagement timelines vary based on property size, complexity, access, documentation needs, the extent of corrective work identified, and employee training requirements. Most final reports are delivered within 5 business days after the final assessment. Scope and schedule are discussed before work begins.

Start With A Conversation

Need a CPTED / HB 837 assessment?

A short consultation can be used to discuss the property type, assessment scope, timing, report turnaround, and whether GCSS is the right fit for your property.