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MelK (Texas)
Posts: 2
Posted:
We're a relatively new HOA. Recently, we added a professional pool monitoring service at our community pool in response to a lot of complaints about the behavior of neighborhood kids, trespassers, etc. This service has been a little overly aggressive in its interaction with our residents so we're trying to come up with a policy of enforcement that we can all approve of. Any input would be most welcome. Also, if anyone has a policy that's working well, I'd love to see it. This is what we have so far:

Preferred enforcement process for pool monitors:
1. Politely ask a resident in violation of the rules to change behavior. In case of a child
accompanied by an adult, also ask that adult politely to correct the child’s offending behavior.
2. If needed, repeat first request one time and include notice that another episode may result in
the resident being asked to leave the premises for the safety of all.
3. If there is still no compliance, politely and firmly ask the resident to leave until s/he can abide by
the community rules as posted.
4. Should the resident refuse to comply, ask politely a second time and inform that the police will
be called if they continue to refuse to leave the premises.
5. If there is still no compliance, do not confront the resident further. Call the police and your HOA
board contacts.
*At no time is physical force to be used by a pool monitor unless there is imminent danger to a
resident.
**In case of non-resident trespassers, give one warning to leave at once then call the police and your
HOA board contact.
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
Does your HOA have a Schedule of Fines for rules violations? Do all residents have a copy of the rules & fine schedule?

Do you have any way (e.g., deactivate entry fobs) to keep repeat violators out of the pool area? Do your documents allow such a penalty?

What is a "professional pool monitoring service"? Is it similar to a security company? Are its workers present during all of the hours that the pool is open?
MelK (Texas)
Posts: 2
Posted:
We do have the ability to impose fines, assuming we can identify the person, but fines for the pool are not currently set. We use computerized key fobs to lock out residents who are out of compliance, but again we have to identify them first and that doesn't help to stop problems in progress. Our monitoring service is a division of a security firm. They also provide bouncers at bars and guards for commercial property. We had a series of expensive vandalism issues and trespassers hassling the kids at the pool so we went with a professional service over just a kid needing a summer job. The monitors are all licensed, insured, and background checked. They're present during summer pool hours noon until close, but not from 9 to noon (little traffic then).
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
If you have the same monitor a lot s/he should get to know names. In addition, fobs to our pool can be traced back to the unit owner. But who in your HOA could/would check on that? Doesn't sound like you have a prop. mgr. (PM). How many homes or units are in your HOA?

Your Board should set a fine schedule--enforcement will be tough without fines. They seem to vary a lot but ours are $50 for most infractions. We call owners to a hearing upon the same violation within 6 months. If fined, the fine could double if another (3rd) violation occurs.

We don't have pool monitors but do have 2 security officers on duty (urban twin towers; 211 units) & they have monitoring equipment at their stations. One also "roves" the premises every couple of hours. Other residents phone them, too, if they see infractions. We don't have many pool/spa violations, though. And we have lotsa rules.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
These seem ok to me - I might add that further non-compliance will result in a household losing their pool passes for the remainder of the season.

For now, if you have some repeat offenders, now's the time to have a "straighten up and fly right" meeting with the homeowners - after all, they are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their household members, guests and tenants."

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
Looks like Mel knows the Board can deactivate fobs. I'd say though, that how long the fobs would be deactivated would depend on the Board's assessment of the seriousness of the violation. If really bad & repeated, we'd not only keep owners and/or their tenants/invitees out of the pool, we'd keep 'em out of our very highly prized Visitor Parking (and our gym & Billiards Rm.).

What prompts Owners to "straighten up & fly right" here are the fines & lock-out penalties. Like I say, though, these are rare.

Mel's problem seems mainly to be identifying the violators or trespassers.

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