3 minute read
Fighting Crime In Your Community
By Todd Greisen, CCAM
Ask homeowners or association managers about crime, and they’ll likely say that it is on the rise. It doesn’t matter if it’s a gated community, highrise, or open neighborhood with easy access. According to Statista, property crimes are almost 5 times more likely to occur than violent crimes. Larceny and burglary are the most common among these crimes, but associations and their residents deal with other misdemeanors such as trespassing and petty/package theft.
Increasing homelessness, although not the sole cause, creates desperation for those who otherwise would not consider criminal behavior. Nearly one-third of the U.S. homeless population lives in California.
Even when caught, low-level crimes often go unpunished. Prosecutors are not likely to pursue these crimes, so law enforcement may not even make arrests in these cases. The result is that associations carry more of the burden of crime enforcement, and they should, because case law indicates to take action to protect residents to the best of their abilities. Boards should consider physical improvements to security and use civil authority given to them to enforce rules that affect resident safety when possible.
It’s worth the cost to hire security consultants that can help quantify an association’s needs and identify its weak points. They can produce detailed reports of crimes within the area affecting residents and specific recommendations to improve security.
These may include:
LANDSCAPING
Even gated communities can have weak points in fencing or walls that can be climbed over or penetrated by determined criminals. Thorned-bougainvillea or rose bushes can be placed in these areas to deter potential intruders. In other areas, a hedge row may invite criminals by providing hiding spots. Consider low-level or less-dense alternatives.
LIGHTING
A drive around the building or neighborhood at night looking for dark or poorly lit areas will help identify needed light upgrades. Are all the parking areas well-lit? Modern LED and halogen technology helps keep the cost of electric expense lower for these improvements.
PRIVATE SECURITY
Is unarmed security sufficient for your needs? Neighborhoods where law enforcement response may be slow or limited in other ways, may require a stronger security presence.
ENFORCEMENT
As mentioned before, civil recourse that may already be in your CC&Rs can be a powerful tool to help maintain security for residents. This could be the case when residents and/or their guests are involved in minor crime that affects the quality of life for other homeowners. For example, a resident hosts a party from where an intoxicated guest drives into a parked car of a nearby home – there’s property damage that the HOA, with enough evidence, can help the victim owner recover damages.
SECURITY CAMERAS
Do you have architectural modification policies in place for resident-installed cameras? In addition to doorbell cameras often installed by homeowners, what common areas need coverage? How are they monitored? High-end camera systems have monitoring algorithms that can alarm unusual behaviors or events. Does local law enforcement have camera access?
PARKING CONTROLS
Speaking of parked cars, are there enough controls in place to know what and where vehicles belong or don’t belong? Some residents find parking controls, such as parking permits, an annoyance. When explained that the controls are for their safety, it can help with understanding the need. With good controls in place, suspicious vehicles parked on property in violation can mitigate potential HOA crime.
Todd Greisen, CCAM, is the General Manager of Contra Loma Estates in Antioch, California.