Marietta Police are trying a new approach to high crime in some of the city’s apartment complexes.

Of the 41 apartment complexes in Marietta, three have crime so measurably high they’ve caught the eye of police, who are determined to bring those numbers down. Already, police can cite the owners and eventually threaten to take away their business licenses.

“Or, and this is really what’s new, we can invited them to participate in this crime prevention program,” said Marietta Police Chief Dan Flynn.

As part of the “Crime Free Housing Program,” police advise the complex owners on security risks like burned out lights and holes in fences. They are also willing to help keep bad people from trespassing.

The alternative: back to the cycle of inspection and citation that can eventually force apartment complex owners to shut their doors.

“We’re really trying to make it tougher for them not to cooperate with us,” Flynn said.