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Security
Securing Your Premises
Despite what film noir and gritty nocturnal crime dramas would have us believe,
sunny venues and beach vistas are as fertile grounds for criminal activity as
dark alleys and deserted piers—especially those typically referred to as “white collar” crimes, like embezzlement and kickbacks. The tendency in Florida for condominium and clustered communities to be governed
by property management firms, HOAs, and Community Development Districts (CDDs)—often with multiple and overlapping layers of administration—can set the stage for criminal activities.
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Too Hot to Handle
The discovery of fire is considered a major turning point in man's evolution
from cave dweller to outer space explorer. Control of fire allowed early man
warmth for his habitat, a way to cook his meals, and light for his
surroundings. Fire also provided a means to frighten away predators and
introduced a social element by bringing other humans together in a communal
setting.
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Hurricane Action Planning
As Hurricane Wilma churned across southeast Florida on October 24, 2005, four
maverick residents of a coastal Pompano Beach condominium under a mandatory
evacuation order opted to stay. They brought along some booze, broke into the
office, turned on the electricity (which the board of directors had turned
off), and took out some pool furniture for a party.
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Staying Safe
For most people, nothing is more important than knowing that they and their
families are safe and secure in the place they call home. Boards, management
and security firms all must work together seamlessly and cohesively to create
that safe environment without making a building or community feel like a
citadel. It can be a delicate balancing act, but with the right approach, it
can be done.
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Keeping an Eye Out
It’s often said that safety starts at home—and while many HOAs spend lots of money on sophisticated security and access
control systems to protect residents and property, others opt for lower-tech
solutions to neighborhood security and crime prevention. One such solution is
the neighborhood watch organization: a group of concerned residents coming
together to make a commitment to be vigilant and observant and to do what they
can in their own community to prevent crimes like vandalism, burglary, and even
arson.
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A Private Matter
The issue of intellectual property and an individual’s right to privacy has become a greater concern since more and more people
conduct their lives online—whether for banking, social media or dating. While the aforementioned generally
have security features encrypted in programming platforms, there remain
justifiable concerns as to what is actually protected. This heightened sense of
scrutiny results in ancillary privacy concerns, especially for those living in
community associations.
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At-Risk Residents
Meet the residents of the fictional Manor Woods condominium. Mrs. Jones loves
her unit. She’s been living there for 30 years and while she’s still independent, she walks and talks a little slower than she used to. Next
door, David was in a motorcycle accident a few months ago and is still
recuperating from his two broken legs. A few floors down 12-year-old Brenda
stays at home alone for a few hours every day while her parents finish working.
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Who Watches the Watchmen?
Back in the 1980s, McGruff the Crime Dog taught children and parents alike to “Take a bite out of crime.” The tough but affable, anthropomorphic bloodhound was created by the Ad Council
for the National Crime Prevention Council and used by police officers to build
crime awareness programs among American families. McGruff’s mission is essentially the same as countless proactive home owner associations
nationwide—sniffing out criminals.
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Creating a Safe Community
Too often a condominium community takes a hard look at its security only after
the damage is done.
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