Security Cameras Coming

One of the most persistent issues residents voice concerns crime and security. Either luck has favored us, or the efforts we've made to inform people about ways to safeguard themselves and their community have helped protect us, or some combination of the two. We have few reports of crime (knock on whatever wood-like stuff constitutes this table), with the most recent being cars broken into.

Still the board has looked for ways to improve security. Soon, you will see several new things meant to do that.

Our first security cameras will go up in the pool area. The pool is our primary amenity, and has been an occasional target of vandalism, and people from outside the community using the pool. The outsiders, usually kids, and the vandalism may have a connection. At least I hope that our residents have not used the recently bought chaise lounges as diving boards.

Cameras won't stop misdeeds by themselves. They will deter some people, and they will give us something to show police if someone damages our property.

The board has also discussed, but not decided on, putting up other cameras to monitor our trash dumpsters, where people -- residents and not -- dump trash, furniture, tires, grills, and other refuse outside the dumpsters, which costs a lot of money to clean.

The board, in varying degrees, remains open to using cameras in other places. Some did not want them pointed at any units, though board member John McQuiston (also your humble blog author) says, "you are welcome to point them at my house!"

The board also decided to install an electronic key fob system for the pool that will replace the simple keys we currently use. This will prevent copying, and also help the community better govern pool use. It might also help the HOA collect outstanding dues. According to our governing documents, those who fall behind in dues payments lose privileges to our amenities. If someone's account gets more than 90 days behind, the HOA can disable his or her pool fob.

The board has also gotten bids on the cost of hiring security patrols. Board members at a recent meeting did not offer much enthusiasm for the idea, and our property manager did not express confidence in their effectiveness for the cost. The board also discussed trying to establish a community watch program. Its consensus was that people don't want to volunteer the effort or the time to do it.

This does not close the door on efforts to keep criminals out of St. Charles Place. As I have written before, our best defense is curious and engaged residents who know their neighbors and make it a habit of saying hello to anyone they see.  If would-be criminals see that we notice things, they will look for easier targets where people don't look out for each other.