3. a. In determining whether to enter into, renew, extend or replace a contract with a company pursuant to this article, the commissioner shall investigate, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, and establish that:

1. (i) the geographic boundaries proposed by the applicant for such a contract define a recognized or established neighborhood or area within the municipality;
2. (ii) the activities proposed by the company are reasonably calculated to have a generally positive effect on the prevention of crime and on the reduction of the fear of crime within the neighborhood and are designed to provide additional and particular focus when necessary to address the needs of senior citizens with respect thereto;
3. (iii) the presence of the company within the neighborhood has not resulted in and will not result in a decrease in the crime prevention activities performed by existing police agencies in such neighborhood;
4. (iv) the company has coordinated and will continue to coordinate its activities with existing police agencies;
5. (v) the company's officers, directors and members represent the residents and the legitimate interests of the neighborhood, and they will carry out such a contract in a responsible manner;
6. (vi) a majority of the directors of the company are residents of the neighborhood;
7. (vii) the plan submitted by the company demonstrates that the company will recruit and utilize neighborhood volunteers and will, to the extent possible, acquire loaned or donated equipment for the performance of its activities;
8. (viii) the commissioner shall also find that the plan submitted by the company demonstrates that such company when hiring employees will give priority, to the extent possible, to residents of the neighborhood who are either unemployed or not fully employed. b. Nothing contained within the contract shall impose liability upon the division or the community for injury incurred during the performance of any approved activities.