FULL LIST OF SERVICES

HUD / Housing Programs

1. Training

• Red Flags of Housing Fraud

This two-hour course is designed to provide front line program staff with an understanding of what constitutes fraud within the HCV and Public Housing programs.Once this is achieved, the participants are shown factors to look for indicating that program participants are not being truthful.

• Advanced Housing Program Enforcement

This is a full day course designed to provide program enforcement staff with an understanding of the most common fraud schemes within the HCV and Public Housing Programs and what evidence is necessary to prove the violations.This program begins with the Red Flags of Housing Fraud training.The participants are then taught how to analyze the fraud indicators to identify the possible schemes and what elements must be proven to support a criminal or administrative charge.From this point, the participants will learn what evidence can be gathered by investigative steps to prove each violation.

• Presenting Violations at Termination Hearings

This four-hour training program provides participants with a methodology to best convey investigative findings during an HCV program or Public Housing eviction hearing. Students will also be instructed on the burden of proof necessary to succeed in a hearing, what constitutes hearsay evidence, and how best to present different types of evidence.

• Public Housing Authority Investigator Training Program

This is an on-going on the job training regimen designed to teach a program enforcement employee how to conduct a comprehensive criminal and administrative investigation. The Investigator trainee will be provided with individual instruction based on the training programs listed above.S4 Inc., Instructors will then work directly with the Investigator Trainee on allegations from within the PHA.

Together, the instructor and Investigator trainee will review a number of current allegations, identify potential program violations, and develop individual investigative plans.The instructor will conduct at least one witness and one program participant interview with the Investigator trainee.S4 Inc., staff will then provide the Investigator Trainee with ongoing assistance.This will include answering questions, reviewing reports, investigative steps, and hearing preparation.

• On-Site Staff / Security Officer Training for Public or Multi-Family Housing Programs

On-site employees and Security Officers are your first line of defense against fraud, however few programs provide them with training to identify and appropriately document program violations.This course expands on our Red Flags of Housing Fraud program.It instructs your staff on how to recognize and appropriately document articulable facts that can be utilized to prove or build a case for violations such as undisclosed tenants / household members, unreported income, and subleasing.

• Hearing Officer Training

Our Hearing Officer Training Program was designed by a full time Public Housing Authority Attorney.It provides instructs Hearing Officers on how to determine what meets the necessary burden of proof required for termination, what is evidence and what evidence is admissible, and how to manage the process of an administrative hearing.

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2. Policy / Document Development

• Policy Development

S4 Specialists can help you develop a program to combat fraud or criminal activity within your communities.  This may include developing a security or investigative team, establishing protocols for program terminations and law enforcement referrals, and create guidelines or policy manuals for dealing with such matters.

• Program Applications

S4 Specialists will review your program applications and coordinate with Housing Law Experts, local Prosecution Authorities, and others to optimize your program applications.Such improved documents will ensure that the questions are designed illicit a complete background in order to make a fully informed decision.The forms will also be designed to expedite evictions and allow for criminal charges when appropriate.

3. Investigations & Security

• Allegation Reviews

S4 Specialists will review allegations of criminal activity, misconduct, fraud, or program violations and identify investigative or enforcement options.These brief reviews are generally conducted via telephone, video chat, or email.

• Comprehensive Case Analysis

S4 Specialists will conduct an in-depth analysis of an incident or issue.  This will include a review of relevant documentation and evidence as well as the use of some remote investigative tools.  A final report will be provided which includes

available options for enforcement. 

• Investigative Services

S4 Specialists will conduct a complete and comprehensive investigation.This may include surveillance, obtaining and reviewing records, and conducting interviews of witnesses and suspects.Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the client will be provided with options for any available enforcement.S4 Specialists can then facilitate the determined enforcement option(s).

• Coordination with Law Enforcement

S4 Specialists will initiate and foster communication between local, state, or Federal law enforcement agencies and the client.This can be for an individual matter or to develop long term cooperative efforts.

• Referral for Prosecution, Civil, or Administration Action

S4 Specialists will put together a package for presentation to the appropriate enforcement authority on behalf of the client.This may include meeting with State or Federal Prosecutors, Client Attorneys, or Court Officers.

• Hearing / Trial Preparation

S4 Specialists will assist the client in preparing a matter for criminal or civil trial or administrative hearings.  This includes witness preparation, transport, or security, subpoena service, and the development of audio or visual presentations.

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

CPTED is a pro-active crime prevention strategy utilized by law enforcement agencies, planners, architects, security professionals and everyday citizens.CPTED is common sense.It operates on the belief that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement of the quality of life for your employees and patrons.

The goal of CPTED is to reduce opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of the external and internal areas of your business.Applying CPTED starts by asking what are the designated purposes of spaces, how are space defined, and how well does the physical design support the intended function?Only then, can effective design or problem solving begin.

A CPTED review is a comprehensive analysis of the entire property utilizing security and law enforcement expertise to identify potential hazards and security weaknesses.If requested, S4’s CPTED review can include an analysis of potential technology or equipment most suitable for the HHAs particular requirements.

• Housing Enforcement Physical Planning Review

Much like CPTED, HEPPR is a pro-active strategy designed specifically for Public Housing Authorities.The process involves a complete review of a property to identify options to deter or detect fraud and criminal activity program violations within government housing programs.S4 staff will conduct a comprehensive analysis of each site to include the buildings, barriers, open spaces, and other factors.They will then determine options for the modification of such features, or the application of technology can be utilized by the PHA to combat fraud within the specific housing program.

A HEPPR is designed to facilitate the proper design and effective use of the existing structures and potential changes to identify and gather evidence of unreported income and undisclosed tenants / household members.The review will identify overt practices that can act as a deterrent for tenant fraud.It will also utilize covert options which to gather evidence of violations intentionally concealed from the more visible or overt deterrents.

The goal of HEPPR is to provide the HHA with the knowledge and evidence to make a fully informed decision on how to proceed with potential program violation enforcement actions.A HEPPR can be combined with other S4 services to ensure the HHA can best utilize the report’s findings and resulting information and evidence.

4. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

CPTED is a pro-active crime prevention strategy utilized by law enforcement agencies, planners, architects, security professionals and everyday citizens.CPTED is common sense.It operates on the belief that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement of the quality of life for your employees and patrons.

The goal of CPTED is to reduce opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of the external and internal areas of your business.Applying CPTED starts by asking what are the designated purposes of spaces, how are space defined, and how well does the physical design support the intended function?Only then, can effective design or problem solving begin.

A CPTED review is a comprehensive analysis of the entire property utilizing security and law enforcement expertise to identify potential hazards and security weaknesses.If requested, S4’s CPTED review can include an analysis of potential technology or equipment most suitable for the HHAs particular requirements.

5. Housing Enforcement Physical Planning Review (HEPPR)

Much like CPTED, HEPPR is a pro-active strategy designed specifically for Public Housing Authorities.The process involves a complete review of a property to identify options to deter or detect fraud and criminal activity program violations within government housing programs.S4 staff will conduct a comprehensive analysis of each site to include the buildings, barriers, open spaces, and other factors.They will then determine options for the modification of such features, or the application of technology can be utilized by the PHA to combat fraud within the specific housing program.

A HEPPR is designed to facilitate the proper design and effective use of the existing structures and potential changes to identify and gather evidence of unreported income and undisclosed tenants / household members.The review will identify overt practices that can act as a deterrent for tenant fraud.It will also utilize covert options which to gather evidence of violations intentionally concealed from the more visible or overt deterrents.

The goal of HEPPR is to provide the HHA with the knowledge and evidence to make a fully informed decision on how to proceed with potential program violation enforcement actions.A HEPPR can be combined with other S4 services to ensure the HHA can best utilize the report’s findings and resulting information and evidence.

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*** Law Enforcement Training Programs ***

1. Public Assistance Fraud as a Law Enforcement Tool

Did you know that drug dealer or gang member living in Public Housing may be sufficient grounds for a search warrant?Or that the Food Stamp (EBT) card you found in the thief’s wallet may provide you with significant felony charges?How about that your target applying for a Pandemic / Disaster Loan may give you complete access to their bank accounts?

There are thousands of Public Assistance programs, often referred to as welfare throughout the United States.These programs gather information such as income, family members, and assets from applicants and participants.Additionally, they provide a significant amount of leverage and criminal charging potential.Such things as allowing others to stay with them, or not reporting a change in income can provide grounds to obtain a search warrant or be a felony charge.

This program will provide law enforcement officers with a basic understanding of the most common Public Assistance programs and identify activities which constitute violations of criminal law.

2. Public Housing Enforcement Program Training

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+++ We also provide: +++

Corporate Investigations

Crime Prevention / Security Planning

Event Security Management

Code Enforcement / Nuisance Abatement

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--- Firearms Training ---

Whether you are shopping for your first firearm or you’ve been shooting for years, our firearms specialists and instructors are happy to help hone your skills.  Our staff consists of law enforcement and security professionals, each with decades of experience in the professional use of firearms.  Our Principal Instructor, Scott Savedow has been teaching law enforcement officers to shoot for more than ten years.  He has certifications in a number of disciplines and has taught at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Mr. Savedow or our other S4 Specialists are happy to provide you with one-on-one, family, or group training sessions.  We offer courses with a variety of weapons systems (firearms), or we can help you choose and learn how to shoot your own guns. 

S4 offers the following courses:

Introduction to Firearms / Shooting

Selecting the right weapon for you

Firearms Refresher Course

Advanced Shooting Techniques / Marksmanship

Close Quarters Combat Shooting / Reactive Shooting

Building Entry and Clearing

Use of Force Techniques

Less Lethal Force Options