Informal Security Arrangements at HOAs

. In 2012 George Zimmerman shot and killed visiting teenager Trayvon Martin at a Florida HOA. As I recall - Zimmerman was listed as the "Security Coordinator". In the HOA newsletter there was a thing: "Any problems, just call George."

Here is an article:

Trayvon Martin’s Family Sued By Insurance Company Disputing Mother’s Claim Against Homeowners

08/06/2012 01:35 pm ET | Updated Aug 07, 2012

Trayvon Martin’s mother is being sued by an insurance company trying to absolve itself from any liability in the teen’s death, according to an attorney for Martin’s family.

Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America has sued Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, and The Retreat at Twin Lakes Homeowner’s Association, the gated community where Martin was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in late February.

Travelers claims that it is not responsible to defend the homeowners association because of various clauses in the association’s policy, specifically a “wrongful act” exclusion.

On March 30, just over a month after Martin was killed, the homeowners association took out a liability policy with Travelers, and shortly thereafter Fulton made a claim for monetary damages in her son’s death."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/trayvon-martin-family-sued_n_1747835.html

AND:

Trayvon Martin's parents settle wrongful-death claim

Homeowners association is thought to have paid more than $1 million

April 5, 2013|By Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel

SANFORD — Trayvon Martin's parents have settled a wrongful-death claim for an amount thought to be more than $1 million against the homeowners association of the Sanford subdivision where their teenage son was killed.

Their attorney, Benjamin Crump, filed that paperwork at the Seminole County Courthouse, a portion of which was made public Friday.

In the five pages of the settlement that were available for public review, the settlement amount had been marked out. Lower in the agreement, the parties specified that they would keep that amount confidential."

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-04-05/news/os-trayvon-martin-settlement-20130405_1_trayvon-martin-benjamin-crump-george-zimmerman

Something to think about. We have the same thing at my HOA. The newsletter has a "Cops Corner" segment and someone is usually designated the security coordinator. Presently it is a retired police detective.

We always advise here to never ever mix Neighborhood Watch and Your HOA together. They are SEPARATE. It may be made up of the same members but they are NOT the same. Renters/family members can be part of the neighborhood watch. Not so much of a HOA.

I think Walter is trying to rehash the old Trevyon story since it's making the news of late. It is the very reason why one should never ever fund or associate a neighborhood watch with their HOA.

Here are some other articles that came out of that action:

Lawsuit Prevention:Building A Strong Foundation from the National Neighborhood Watch – a Division of the National Sheriffs' Association

Is a Neighborhood Watch Program a Good Idea for Community Associations?

Wrongful Death Claims Against Home Owners Associations

What Should HOAs Learn from the Trayvon Martin Tragedy?

Watch out: What’s the HOA’s liability in the death of Trayvon Martin?

Guard from a lawsuit against your HOA

HOA Liable in Martin Case?
ENDORSEMENT EXPOSES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO LIABILIT This is a newsletter, scroll down to article.

Subject: Zimmerman Case....do you have armed non-professionals "patroling"

Forums > Homeowner Association > Subject: Gated HOA allow armed neighborhood patrol

Subject: HOA Lawsuit-ie T.Martin case

And one more article about the case -

NBC Apologizes For Editing George Zimmerman's 911 Call on Today Show

I totally agree with you Melissa. Some of our master community association members (we are also in a sub association) want security patrols but our master association doesn't want to even consider (would cost several hundred thousand dollars per year for at least 2 patrols).