Mobile Watch

BY ROGER STOBERT

MOBILE WATCH COORDINATOR

Transition from Summer to Winter Patrols

MOBILE WATCH has transitioned from summer to winter patrols. In the summer, our primary function is a deterrent, watching for mischievous and suspicious activities, and helping lost residents and visitors. In the winter months, we continue this summer function, but also keep a watchful eye out for those red lights.

Red Lights

Red lights are used to identify a potential home heating system problem. Residents who have left their Canadian Lakes home for warmer climates install these red lights and attached thermostats to illuminate the red light if the temperature in their home drops below a preset value.

While we check every house for red lights, we give special attention to those homes that have completed the Residential Vacation Form.

For those who install a red light, but don’t fill out a Resident Vacation Form, you are not helping yourself. These forms include your contact information and help Canadian Lakes Safety if there were problems at your home. If you are gone and have not filled out this form, Canadian Lakes Safety may not be able to contact you as quickly or even at all. Please note that a new form is needed for each absence. They do NOT roll over year to year!

The form also includes instructions for installing the red light. You provide the information regarding who to contact if a problem should develop at your home while you’re away. These forms are available at the CLPOC office or on the Canadian Lakes website. On the CLPOC website, click on “Governing”, then “Documents and Forms”, then under Online Forms, Residential Vacation Form (Red Light), https://members. canadianlakes.org/wp-content/ uploads/2018/03/2018ResidentialVacation-Information-Form.pdf. Canadian Lakes Safety provides Mobile Watch with a list of the homes registered with this free service.

Open Garage Doors

It only takes a moment for an opportunistic criminal to gain access to your home via an open garage door. Nationally, thirty percent of all home burglaries happen because of unlocked and/or open doors.

Criminal statistics show that most burglaries occur between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Mobile Watch volunteers report to Canadian Lakes Safety garage doors left open where it appears no one is at home – no cars in the driveway or garage, no lights on in the house, no evidence of a homeowner working in the yard. When Mobile Watch alerts Canadian Lakes Safety, an officer will come to the home and will ring the doorbell to see if the resident is at home. If there is no answer, the Safety officer will close the garage door to secure the home from unwanted entry. Please keep your home secure by closing and locking all doors, especially when you are not home. Rest assured that Mobile Watch and Canadian Lakes Safety will do all they can to keep your home and valuables secure.

Helping Stranded Motorists

During the snowy months ahead, we occasionally encounter residents and visitors who are stuck in snow or have slid-off the road. If the resident or visitor needs assistance, the patroller will contact Canadian Lakes Safety to offer aid. Upon arrival, the Safety officer will attempt to assist the motorist, but if the job is too big, Canadian Lakes Safety can arrange for a reliable tow company to remedy the situation.

On-Street Parking During the Winter Months

Between November 1 and March 31 from 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., vehicles may not park on Canadian Lakes roadways or road shoulders. Exceptions may be granted by contacting Canadian Lakes Safety at 231-972-8555. The purpose of this restriction is to facilitate snow removal and for emergency vehicle access. Homeowners risk their vehicles being towed if their vehicles block snowplows and graders. If you have special circumstances regarding on-street parking during the winter months, please contact Canadian Lakes Safety at (231-972-8555) to see if an exemption is possible.

Off-Road Vehicles

Here is a refresher on the use of Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) in Canadian Lakes:

An off-road vehicle (ORV) is defined as any motor vehicle that can be operated cross-country over land, snow, and/or other natural terrain, or on the frozen lake surface without the benefit of a road or trail. ORV’s shall not be operated in or on any Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC) Designated Common Facility (Area). Within the Canadian Lakes community, ORVs may only be operated on the shoulder of the road, or road edge if no shoulder exists, or on the frozen lake surface, or other areas designated by the Board of Directors.

Any person aged 12-15 years’ operating an ORV, trail bike, golf cart, snowmobile, etc. on any CLPOC owned road shoulder, road edge or frozen lake surface, must have an ORV certificate and be under the visual supervision of a parent or guardian. Persons under the age of 12 shall not be permitted to operate any type of motor vehicle on CLPOC approved property. All types of motorized vehicles operating on CLPOC approved property shall be required to be registered with the CLPOC office and shall visibly display the appropriate CLPOC sticker. This rule is for your safety and the safety of your family and friends.

Friends and Neighbors

Mobile Watch, like most volunteer groups in Canadian Lakes, is always in the state of flux. Participation in Canadian Lakes clubs and organizations change because of health, family dynamics, age, interest, or for a myriad of other reasons. Although we do our best to retain our existing members for as long as possible, we need new volunteers to help sustain Mobile Watch’s longevity. Mobile Watch encourages its volunteers to talk to their friends and neighbors about the purpose and duties of a Mobile Watch volunteer and how their involvement promotes the safety and security of our community and its residence.

If you know of someone interested in joining Mobile Watch, please contact Roger Stobert, Mobile Watch Coordinator, at 231-288-0148 or spankky@charter.net.

I would like to extend holiday greetings to all the volunteers of Mobile Watch, Merry Christmas and happy New Year! Because of your selfless duty, our Canadian Lakes residents can rest a bit easier knowing that their homes and the safety of their families are regularly monitored by a group of dedicated volunteers. One of the greatest joys of this season is the opportunity to say thank you for all you do and to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year! The Mobile Watch would like to wish all Canadian Lakers, wherever you are spending your holidays, a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022! Your Mobile Watch will keep a vigilant eye on your homes to help ensure Santa’s arrival and departure are without incident.

— Roger Stobert,

MW Coordinator, on behalf of Mobile Watch Patrollers