Professional Security Patrols?

A victim of a break-in theft today proposed hiring a professional security guard to patrol the neighborhood during times crimes have typically happened in our community.

I have asked that the issue of hiring a security patrol be added to the next HOA board meeting's agenda. That meeting is Oct. 27 and is also our budget meeting. All owners are welcome to attend.

I have also sent our property manager a list of questions about whether it is common for HOAs to take on hiring security patrols, what the liability would be if either the guard or someone else was injured during the course of a patrol, what the cost would be and where we find qualified people to provide such a service.

Security is expensive. In a brief discussion on the matter at a previous board meeting, it became clear that we will not be able to afford to hire someone to cover all the hours that people are typically away from their homes. We'd have to hire someone to work different shifts on different days each week to ensure that criminals could not predict when we were unprotected.

Be aware that this may or may not be something that is in the board's power to consider. You should also know that even if it is something that the HOA can -- and wants to -- take on, action will not happen immediately. If the board is convinced of the merits of the idea, the vote at the meeting would likely be to solicit bids for security service.

Whether hiring professional security happens or not, we still have the responsibility to look out for each other and to protect ourselves.