RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh Police Department Wednesday held its first landlord-training program designed to help landlords get to know more about their tenants.

The goal of the new program is to reduce the likelihood of illegal activity in and around landlords' properties. It comes one year after the city passed an ordinance that holds landlords more accountable for nuisances on their property.

As part of the training, police instructors gave homeowners practical tips on how to look for illegal activity, including warnings that signal gang and drug activity.

"Nationwide, rental property is most vulnerable to drug activity, drug labs and methamphetamine labs," said Kristen Rosselli, strategic initiatives manager for the Raleigh Police Department. "Typically, it's because people try to find properties that are not well managed."

A landlord for more than 20 years, Claude Trotter was one of the attendees in Wednesday's training. He wanted to go through it to improve as a landlord and as a neighbor.

"I find it's best to move in quickly and effectively to take care of the problems, because it's not going to get better," Trotter said.

Two other training classes are scheduled: one for June 14 and one for Oct. 11, which will emphasize multi-family and Section 8 rental housing.