Feedback - Suggestions on Handling This Security Issue

Started by CarolynM3 • 3 replies • 1071 views

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CarolynM3 (Georgia)
Posts: 63

Posted:

This is the 2nd time in a year, teens have entered our property illegally. The first time we did not have magnetic locks on our gates and the gates could be pried open enough for a slim person to slip through. We corrected that problem as well as lowering the gates to make it more difficult to enter.

Last evening 3 young men tried to enter via the gates (under and squeezing through), but were unable to do this. So, they scaled the columns on the side of the gates. They left via a wrought irons fence that runs parallel to the street.

Any suggestions would be helpful if you have had a similar incident in your community.

Kind Regards,

Carolyn

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You have to be careful when trying to deter people from entering your property. It sounds like a great idea to put spikes under the fence and maybe grow some poison ivy on the pillars... However, there is sometimes the risk of lawsuits if they get harmed. Sometimes getting injured in the process of committing a crime does not mean liability from keeping something safe. The same circumstance may happen to a kid climbing the fence to get a ball... That's not a crime but the injury just the same.

I would consult your insurance company to discuss some options that if you did take what is the liability? Let's say you electrify the fence? Is that making the HOA liable for injuries?

BTW: You may want to consult the police to ask them for an option. Maybe they have something they find works to deter criminals. It may be something as simple as putting grease so can't climb.

Former HOA President

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

I'm assuming you saw this on security camera footage, if somebody had seen this in person I would have expected the police to be called immediately. In any case, you can talk to the police, but they will probably just say they can't do anything if they don't catch the trespassers red-handed.

Unless you want to hire security guards, occasional trespassers might just have to be something you have to accept. My community is gated, but with 6 foot brick walls, we just recognize that if somebody wants in badly enough, they'll get in.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

You know that they're teens. Is that because they were caught on camera? Or? Why did they enter? do you know, Carolyn?

I think Douglas is right: if people want to get in, they will...somehow. We have FOB/electronic entry to our urban high rise lobbies and an 24/7 officers at the drive entry. But, in '16 about 10 trespassers entered. Usually they followed a resident through the lobby entrance form the streets. In all cases, someone noticed them within a few minutes and they were escorted out. No damage ever was done.

As Melissa says, you must not do anything that could injure trespassers due to possible liability. So her advice, and mine, is to see if your local police have any ideas to better secure your HOA.

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