Whose responsible if there’s a gator in your lake? (FL)

In the wake of Monday’s deadly alligator attack in the Spanish Lakes Fairways community, residents across South Florida are trying to figure out who is responsible for dangerous wildlife in their neighborhoods.  Read the article………………………..

O’Fallon Police Department rolls out new position dedicated to ridding neighborhoods of problem properties, feuds (MO)

“One of the first incidents I’ve been assigned to was there’s a neighbor, or resident, that was putting dog feces on the sidewalk,” Young said. “He didn’t want people walking on the public sidewalk behind his home.”  Young said the homeowner’s association asked the man to remove the feces after several neighbors complained, but Young […]

Tech Trends: Residential License Plate Cameras

Drive into most neighborhoods with a Homeowners Association (HOA) and you are likely to see a few signs welcoming you, a strict speed limit sign, and maybe a pool or other amenities. You may be surprised to be welcomed by cameras on poles as well – not just any cameras, but License Plate Capture cameras […]

Burlington mayor says police overtime for condo association ‘will not continue’ (VT)

The Burlington Police Officers’ Association, the union for Burlington officers, signed the first agreement with River Watch Condominium Association for extra police patrols in late October 2022, according to Samantha Sheehan, a spokesperson for Weinberger’s office. The contract was first reported by Seven Days. The condo association and union repeatedly renewed the agreement until January.  […]

Florida HOA Communities Installing New License Plate Reader Cameras (FL)

For HOAs and even some condominium communities, especially those facing security and safety issues and concerns, deploying such cameras at key entrance/exit points with the accompanying signs alerting drivers of the monitoring could represent an effective prevention and investigative tool.   Read the article………………………..

Disbanding police force shocks Diamondhead residents (AR)

Diamondhead residents were surprised to learn their police department ceased to exist as of Jan. 13.  The email the property owners association sent that same day informed POA members the department had been disbanded, and that security for the gated community would be outsourced to a private contractor. The email said maintaining a police force […]

Data Security In HOAs: How Is Homeowner Information Protected?

Data privacy is a widely discussed topic among planned communities and condominiums today. But, is an HOA legally required to protect member information? How do you strike the right balance between records inspection and data security in HOAs?   Read the article………………………..

The impact of stolen mail on a local neighborhood and what we can learn from it

The USPS tells News5 in response to the concerns of the neighborhood mail delivery times have been adjusted to help residents have more daylight hours to pick up their mail and it also worked with the local homeowners association which has now installed additional lighting and security cameras to the mailbox area   Read the article………………………..

New “Invisible Gate” Goes Up in Coral Springs Community to Help Solve Crime and Deter it (FL)

“I now feel like our community has security,” said Sternbach, who is president of Kensington Glen’s homeowners association.  This spring, the community installed four solar-powered cameras to read license plates and capture images of cars and people going in and out of the two roads leading into the development.    Read the article………………………..

The Value of Professional Intermediaries: Don’t Turn HOA Issues into Safety Issue

Homeowners association (HOA) disputes or enforcement should not require personal, face-to-face, confrontation with members. A recent tragedy in Florida underscores the risk of confrontations in the HOA context. It is alleged that on December 3, 2022, 75-year-old Hugh Hootman shot and killed his HOA president and her husband, Ginger and Henry Wallace, who were both […]

It’s Time to Implement Best Practices for HOA Cyber Security

There is no question that digital solutions and online platforms can save tons of time for homeowners associations. Every paper process that can be replaced with a digital solution is probably worth exploring. The only problem with online solutions versus traditional paper document storage is the increased risk for hacks that put member and association […]

Surveillance in Buildings & HOAs Privacy vs. Safety? (MA)

In 2017, a Boston couple were brutally murdered in their penthouse apartment in a high-end condominium building. The murderer, the former employee of a company that supplied concierge services to the condo, had worked there, and so knew the ins and outs of the building—including some serious gaps in the property’s security that both the […]

Associations Cannot Ban Sex Offenders from Community (PA)

Many condominium and homeowners’ associations worry about people who are registered as sex offenders under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), usually referred to as “Megan’s Law.” Many associations I work with have considered a range of ideas, from not allowing Megan’s Law registrants to use the community pool all the way to […]

8 must-haves for gated communities

Gated communities are synonymous with luxury, security and certainty. While they do share similarities with traditional neighborhoods, these communities are protected by a physical barrier. Gated communities usually have one or two entry points so that strangers cannot easily enter the property.   Read the article………………………..

Man Arrested For Stalking Coral Springs Condo Association President (FL)

A man with a history of stalking a Coral Springs homeowner’s association president–and who once allegedly poured a hot cup of coffee down the man’s trousers—was arrested last week while lying in wait for the community leader, court records show.   Read the article………………………..

License plate readers: Pros and cons for condos and HOAs to consider

Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are computer-controlled camera systems that can read license plates. It’s a simple concept, but the technology is not without controversy. Authorities have been early adopters of the surveillance tool; it can help police locate suspects, or catch speeders who are creating unsafe environments for others.   Read the article………………………..

A Cautionary Tale for Associations: A Condominium Association Bears a Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care for the Resident’s Safety in the Common Areas (MA)

The recent Massachusetts Superior Court decision in Field, et al. v. Highbridge Concierge, Inc., et al., 1784 CV 02486-B (Mass. Super. Ct. July 5, 2022) (Roach, J.), defines the standard of care that condominium trusts owe to unit owners and others lawfully within the common areas.     Read the article………………………..

Springfield residents get Ring doorbells to help prevent crime (IL)

The Pioneer Park Homeowner’s Association gave Ring doorbells to local residents to prevent or help solve crimes in the area.  President of the association, Angela Harris, says these doorbells were given out to serve one purpose.    Read the article………………………..

Security Issues for Associations (MA)

A recent Massachusetts Superior Court decision (Field, et. al. v. Highbridge Concierge, Inc., et. al.) has rattled windows in the condominium world, describing, in large capital letters, the security obligations of condominium associations and association managers.  Read the article………………………..

HOA safety concerns arise after deadly Midtown Atlanta shooting (GA)

People in Midtown are asking serious questions about safety in homeowners associations after a deadly shooting this week. Two people were killed and one person is still fighting for his life after a HOA dispute at a popular Midtown condo.   Read the article………………………..

Keep your community safe with policies and procedures

The safety and well being of community members should be of utmost importance to your HOA. Associations should act to the fullest extent possible to adhere to all procedures and policies that keep communities safe.  Ultimately, the safety and security of the community is in the hands of the HOA or the management company. That […]

Cybersecurity tips for condo and co-op boards (NY)

As the number of devices connected to the internet (known as the Internet of Things, or IoT) grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks. With the increase in technology used in coops and condos, the board has a responsibility to protect the association and its owners from these threats. Here are some tips for NYC […]

Police discuss crime prevention after 80-year-old attacked in his Summerlin home (NV)

Mitzi Mills, Executive Director of the Sun City Summerlin Community Association, says the association has worked hard to inform residents of area crime. The association puts out emails to residents when crimes happen. She says the association holds Zoom meetings on Fridays to discuss crime and other topics, and the association even has a monthly […]