Lighted Basketball Courts

Started by BrianR2 • 8 replies • 1684 views

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BrianR2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

My new build community in Jax, FL has a community center/pool that includes a lighted basketball court. Since I've moved in, the courts are often filled with teenagers/young adults from surro "unding neighborhoods to include government housing. I've gotten the declarent to hire part time-security, but I find myself acting as a one-man enforcement team. We have member cards that are required to use the facilities, but the new "trick" is for the large pack to play with one child from the neighborhood. The community management firm and (home builder) generally seem to want to help, but seem unable to come up with a solution...any ideas?????? (I've called the police, but I would like to get out of the one-man enforcement role)

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

First, is it really so bad having them there? Are they causing any real problems? I know some communities sponsor night-time activities such as basketball games as a way to keep teens/young adults off the streets and out of trouble. Maybe you could get the police to sponsor some of the activities and at the same time provide supervision so that things don't get out of hand.

At any rate, do you have any published rules for court use? Since there is one child from the neighborhood present, is that all that is required? We have a pool in our neighborhood, and our rules only allow one guest per member. If somebody violates the rules, they can get their access privileges revoked. Since you have access control cards, you may be able to do the same thing. When you find a pack on the courts, find the person who let them in and confiscate their card and have their parents come to a board meeting to get it back.

We are currently looking to replace our access system with one that not only opens the gate, but also records who came in and when. Then if something happens, we will have an idea of who was there at the time. If necessary, we will be able to disable individual cards of repeat offenders. You might be able to use a similar system to disable the card that let the pack in and again have the parents come to a board meeting.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

without supervision, such nightime (and afternoon time) activities can become havens for drug sales, vandalism, etc., so you are correct to be worried.

Dwight has some good ideas: make and enforce a one person per guest rule. while you are at it, make sure every OWNER knows that they are legally and financially responsible for the people their kids let in to play... publicize that everywhere.

PatrickH (California)
Posts: 204

Posted:

Brian,

A couple of thoughts:

If late night use of the courts is a problem, change the closing time to an earlier hour. If the membership card is needed to access the court, the access times can be changed in the software to not allow the gate to open after a specific time.

We use a "fob" system to control access to our recreation center. It records who's fob opened the gate and prevents the gates from opening after the facilities are closed for the evening. It greatly reduced the number of late night "pool parties" that occured back when we just had keys to the security gate.

Install a timer on the lights so they turn off automatically at a preset time. Since you're in Florida, people are probably playing basketball even in the winter when it gets dark at 5 PM, so set the timer for whatever the Board decides is the new closing time.

As other folks have mentioned, limit the number of "guests" allowed on the courts.

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

Brain,

I feel you have received some excellent suggestions. This is my first year as VP of our association and I too think you should try to limit the use after dark would be an excellent start to many of your problems. PatrickH’s latest post was very good advice, I would consider these options first and for most.
Our association has a magnetically key card issued only too HO that are current of their assessments. These cards can be turned on and off when ever the board chooses. I would suggest looking into something like this for your community. It’s been extremely helpful to us. We can also make certain cards (board members) 24 hour access. If HO are delinquent in the assessments the current board will not issue them an access card. This card is assigned to the lot, not the HO, so are intent is that it will stay with the home even when sold. So far its worked just fine.

I too think changing the lighting time, will discourage many too play ball after hours. It would seem to me you would already wanted to have done this. I would consider at least changing the hours, at least Monday through Friday’s. I don't feel it would be to far-fetched to even say 9:00 PM or until dark If you set the light to turn off at a certain time then anyone found playing ball after hours will be prosecuted by the, for trespassing. I know it’s a little extreme but it’s all preventable if the offenders know what could possibly happen to them, if found playing or hanging our after dark. We also have set a charge for any HO that we have issued a card to, that has either lost it or has had it damaged beyond use.

Best of luck and please keep us posted
Chuck W.

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

BrianR2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

Thanks all for the suggestions. The city of Jacksonville, FL has a curfew time, so it would make sense to have the lights disabled after that (assuming that most parents don't want to play tennis or basketball after 11 on a school night). I'm unsure if our cards are able to detect specific users, but I will pass that on to the declant's representative....

Dwight,

I understand your thoughts on giving kids an outlet, and I support that in principle, however, I'm not paying $200 a month to sponsor a public park for the surrounding neighborhoods.....

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

also you should check with your insurance carrier for ideas... they have a HUGE interest in keeping the courts safe and keeping people who don't belong there out. They will pay the price for vandalism, crime, or injuries, so they will be in prime position to suggest alternatives and ideas.

BrianR2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

An update for anyone that is interested....

The developer continues to "look" into the problem. The builder's sales staff and neighbors have been calling the police to report tresspassing, but the local police are getting frustrated at being pulled into what they see as a community issue. As the neigborhood is building up, it is becomming more difficult to keep track of who belongs and who does not. I still belief that a gate with electronic keys and card activated lights are the best answer. The builder's rep promises a meeting with the home owners within the next few weeks to discuss the issue. Security has helped, but at $30 and hour it is only a part-time solution.

some question:

1. Are centers like this often "staffed" or do most communities depend of pass cards to control access?

2. Some believe that a security camera should be installed....any thoughts?

3. Some believe that a fence will just encourage vandalism and that there is nothing to do but accept the fact that young men from the government housing will have contol of our facilities at night and on the weekends....how does one respond to that attitude?

Good times......

RonaldW (South Carolina)
Posts: 901

Posted:

Posted By BrianR2 on 01/16/2007 7:37 AM

An update for anyone that is interested....

The developer continues to "look" into the problem. The builder's sales staff and neighbors have been calling the police to report tresspassing, but the local police are getting frustrated at being pulled into what they see as a community issue. As the neigborhood is building up, it is becomming more difficult to keep track of who belongs and who does not. I still belief that a gate with electronic keys and card activated lights are the best answer. The builder's rep promises a meeting with the home owners within the next few weeks to discuss the issue. Security has helped, but at $30 and hour it is only a part-time solution.

some question:

1. Are centers like this often "staffed" or do most communities depend of pass cards to control access?

2. Some believe that a security camera should be installed....any thoughts?

3. Some believe that a fence will just encourage vandalism and that there is nothing to do but accept the fact that young men from the government housing will have contol of our facilities at night and on the weekends....how does one respond to that attitude?

I would put up a fence with signs stating that the area is for members and guests only.

I would turn the lights off as early as feasible. Another option is coin operated lights.

I would consider security cameras and also consider hiring or continuing a security person or company.

I would continue calling the local police. You pay for this service with your tax dollars.

This facility is an "attractive nuisance". As a last resort, close it, either temporarily or permanently. Left unchecked, it may well become crime area. It will certainly reduce your property values and quality of life.

Ron
SC

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