Hot Weather = trespassors in pool.

Started by FionaC1 • 13 replies • 1455 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Every year we have several incidents of trespassing neighbors ( often kids ) attempting to use our facilities.

Over the last few years there has been a decrease in this, cctv awareness etc.

Recently there was a rush of emails to our property mgr/ bod claiming of tresspassers using our pools, using drugs at the site and using prolific profanity... NOBODY CALLED POLICE!

Upon reviewing our cctv a group of individuals was seen entering our building ( someone moving out propped the front door open to help movers) climbing the fence etc. One is identified as a neighbor and is known as being "domestically challenged" meaming lots of PD visits, fights, parties etc.

My concern? I watched our cctv feed. I watched known homeowners walk through the front door that was prompt open, walk by the pool, watch someone climb the fence and all they did was email us!

our local PD has asked our neighbors to call them EVERY time an incident is seen, dont' approach them and rather let the PD do the dirty work. I shared this message via our website to our homeonwers along with what I saw on video fee.

This morning I got an email from a homeowner saying " I see them park in our complex all the time". I asked her did you call police? end of email. Another homeowner emailed. I know that someone in our building is letting that person in, they are friends, I have seen her by the pool alot of times alone. My response "have you called police?"

I don't know how to put the responsibility of basic security back on our apathetic homeowners. One homeowner emailed our board and "simply didn't know what to do".

How can I enhance giving the homeowners the power to help secure our building??
Meanwhile, seeking advice on fence extension, cactus as deterrant and more cctv in key area.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Uhm welcome to the real world of having video cameras... They really don't prevent crime as much as they record it... Seems like time to post something about calling the police whenever one sees a violation. However, most people don't want to be involved and would never do that. I created a neighborhood watch completely separate from our HOA. I still got phone calls to call the police on their behalf instead of them calling the police directly. So you may just want to have some dedicated people be the POC for calling the police to report a crime. Most likely the members will want it to be a board member as well.

So just put up a POC contact who is willing to call the police and just have them do the job. Not everyone wants to be involved and rather have someone else responsible. It's human nature and you can't always fight that...

Former HOA President

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 06/03/2013 8:07 AM
Uhm welcome to the real world of having video cameras... They really don't prevent crime as much as they record it... Seems like time to post something about calling the police whenever one sees a violation. However, most people don't want to be involved and would never do that. I created a neighborhood watch completely separate from our HOA. I still got phone calls to call the police on their behalf instead of them calling the police directly. So you may just want to have some dedicated people be the POC for calling the police to report a crime. Most likely the members will want it to be a board member as well.

So just put up a POC contact who is willing to call the police and just have them do the job. Not everyone wants to be involved and rather have someone else responsible. It's human nature and you can't always fight that...

The police seemed quite puzzled when I was reporting the tresspassing when outside of video didnt' witness it. You know ? I gave them the addrss and unit # of those who did witness it so they could follow up. PD do not like 2nd and 3rd party calls.. although I am a board member, they seemed quizative as to why I was calling until I presented them with still photos and a cctv feed.

I think putting the resposibility on those who email me is the best response Have you called the police? I am offsite usually, working in another city and Personally? I am a board member, but I don't like homeowners thinking it's all on us.

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Thinking higher fence, large bore needled cactus plants around points of climbing may deter.

any other ideas??

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Thinking higher fence, large bore needled cactus plants around points of climbing may deter.

any other ideas??

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Fiona

Keep telling people it is not an HOA matter, it is a police matter. If they observe illegal behavior they should call the police. Inform them that the HOA will make all tapes readily available to the police but if the police are not called, the HOA can do nothing.

Hope this helps.

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnC46 on 06/03/2013 8:15 AM
Fiona

Keep telling people it is not an HOA matter, it is a police matter. If they observe illegal behavior they should call the police. Inform them that the HOA will make all tapes readily available to the police but if the police are not called, the HOA can do nothing.

Hope this helps.

I concur.. great comment. thank you..

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Do the trespassers come on the premises all of the time or typically at certain times/days?

I ask because if they enter generally at particular times, your Board may want to get one of more bids from a security company to patrol the relevant areas during those hours with instructions to phone the police if necessary, e.g., if the trespassers don't leave when asked to.

Let owners know what the estimated cost would be.

Perhaps they'll become diligent neighbors who'll phone the police if they think their dues will go up to pay for an Security Officer.

Meantime, if you know for certain that a particular resident is letting a friend use the pool unaccompanied, and that's against the rules, treat that like any other violations of your rules.

Our rules, by the way, prohibit doors being propped open, which is actually a fire dept. rule for our high rise. If doors are frequently being propped open for moves, you can consider hiring a security officer to monitor the door(s) during moves. The moves, of course would need to be scheduled in advance.

I take it you have no property mgr. on the premises?

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

I readily admit ignorance of the law in this area, but is this not somewhat like police not responding to traffic incidents on private property?

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

a tresspasser is violating STATE law ..... definately a police matter

however, if a property owner sees an unauthorized person and does nothing ~ there is no longer tresspass

pools are expensive

when tresspassed, shut it down and LOCK the gate for 24 hours to avoid potential liability

the owners, right quick, will call LE next time a tresspasser is seen

the ones who want to the pool, anyway

FionaC1 (Washington)
Posts: 93

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnB26 on 06/03/2013 3:41 PM
a tresspasser is violating STATE law ..... definately a police matter

however, if a property owner sees an unauthorized person and does nothing ~ there is no longer trespass

pools are expensive

when trespassed, shut it down and LOCK the gate for 24 hours to avoid potential liability

the owners, right quick, will call LE next time a trespasser is seen

the ones who want to the pool, anyway

Yes, we have no onsite mgr. We are a small complex <70 units. Also the problem is a ghetto fabulous slum lord who owns the beat up apartment across the street. I have lived here and literally ALL our neighborhood issue seems to stem from his renters. ( different ones, different times!)

1.) Kids in our pool several years back, same kids seem jimmy the security gate, loads of vandalism..riding thier bikes in our secured garage, climbing over nieghbors fences, trying to enter locked empty units... all the same residents.

2.)Out neighborhood street was on lock down a couple of years back.. because this building having a domestic issue, person with warrant would not let police in. same building.

3.) FIghting in the street, loud music illegal fireworks same building.

This is just the last 3 years here. Now..
The tresspassors are from his building too.
A few homeowners here took it to the city council.. and hoping to get some resolution. I am mostly focused on the current issue. We live in a nice area, the police have instructed me to have our neighbors call constantly for any issue with this building.. oddly enough neighbors feel threatend or won't care unless thier car or property is damaged odd how that happens.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

in line with a previous suggestion, you can always try this:

Pool is closed for 24 hours, pending results of safety testing. Yesterday, trespassers gained illegal access to the pool, and in order to ensure your safety and that of your children, we have closed the pool until it can be determined that no pollutants or unsafe chemicals were added by these individuals.

We will continue to close the pool for your safety every time trespassers gain access to the pool, so as to make sure that nothing harmful has been introduced into the waters our children play in.

If you see anyone in the pool who is not an owner, please contact XXX immediately. If we can prevent people from potentially adulterating the pool waters, we can enjoy it more ourselves.

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Nice one, Brian! Maybe "contaminating" instead of "adulterating." To cite John46 (I think?) from a different thread, let the "super mommies" take over" the monitoring activities.

MikeS1
Posts: 521

Posted:

Install an IP cam that sends video clip to you whenever someone breaches the fence at night. You can setup the IP cam power on timer so that it sends only pics during the time that pool is closed.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here