Safety is a top priority for every homeowner’s association (HOA), as it plays a crucial role in fostering a secure and harmonious living environment. By implementing effective safety measures, HOAs can not only protect residents and their properties but also strengthen community bonds. Read the article………………………..
West Sacramento community take stand to prevent thieves targeting their mail (CA)
A group of West Sacramento neighbors are taking a stand against mail theft. “Mailboxes have been broken into over 30 times in the last couple of years,” said Kathy Bailey, Homeowners Association president for Riva on the River. Read the article………………………..
3 murders, 13 assaults reported in just 1 year at troubled South Fulton condo complex (GA)
Squatters are moving into empty units in one local condominium complex where trash is piling up and crime is rising. Some residents at The Camelot condominiums in the City of South Fulton are calling for change. Read the article………………………..
Handling Vandalism in Your Community
HOAs want nothing more than to create healthy, happy, safe, and clean communities. But too often, things happen that are out of the control of the HOA and may put this vision in jeopardy. Case in point: vandalism. Read the article………………………..
Man shot by Cocoa officer, security guard files lawsuit against property management (FL)
Now, Bray is suing the homeowner’s association, property management and apartment security for damages in excess of $50,000 for Bray’s “extreme pain and suffering.” The lawsuit blames the security company’s “negligent training and supervision” and calls the security guard “unfit in his role.” Read the article………………………..
Thieves target Club Valencia condos where two fires displaced half the property (CO)
Going to the media was one of their last options, but the thefts have become so rampant and dangerous at the Club Valencia condo complex, that now some members of the property’s homeowner’s association (HOA) are speaking out. Read the article………………………..
Is Installing License Plate Readers In HOA Communities A Good Idea? (NC)
Should association boards allow the installation of license plate readers in HOA communities? As with many decisions, the answer is not all black and white. Boards must take everything into consideration. Read the article………………………..
Residents fed up with stolen packages at South End condos (NC)
Residents in a South End apartment complex have reached their limit with package thieves. To get into the Village of South End Condos, you need a code. Two people were given the code for a pizza delivery from Benny’s Pizza, then left with a package taken from another resident. Read the article………………………..
Should Installing A Security Door In HOA Communities Be Allowed?
Security is a top concern among many homeowners. But should boards allow the installation of a security door in HOA communities? The answer isn’t so clear-cut. Read the article………………………..
Police access to surveillance cameras concerns ACLU-Indiana
FOX59/CBS4 is told the cameras are under the authority of the development’s homeowners association, but Fillenwarth can run queries through them like it can its own cameras. However, the HOA cannot examine the police searches, and the police cannot see searches executed by the HOA. Read the article………………………..
Police, Private HOAs Team Up to Buy License Plate Readers
Flock Safety, which began as a startup in 2017 in Atlanta and is now valued at approximately $3.5 billion, has targeted homeowners associations, or HOAs, in partnership with police departments, to become one of the largest surveillance vendors in the nation. Read the article………………………..
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………………………..
Video Doorbells Present a Conundrum for Co-op and Condo Boards (NY)
Q: A shareholder in a small co-op recently installed a video doorbell. A neighbor across the hall fears she’s being watched, possibly even listened to. Does the co-op board have the power to ban video doorbells? Read the Q&A……………………………….
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 […]
Sacramento communities buy license plate readers to stop crime (CA)
Natomas Park and Hamptons home owner’s associations are buying and installing license plate reader cameras. Natomas Park recently purchased 23 cameras, while Hamptons has nine. The cameras cover 6,000 households. Read the article………………………..
‘We’re sitting ducks’: Lake City residents fed up with condo building burglaries (WA)
Residents in a Lake City building said they are afraid to sleep in their homes at night because of burglars who continually break into their building. Read the article………………………..
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 […]
Should your HOA community in Florida install new license plate reader security cameras? | Opinion
During the past several years, a number of deployments by homeowners associations of a new type of security-camera system called automated license plate readers have made headlines in TV, print and online news outlets across Florida. These ALPR cameras automatically read and record the license plate of all passing vehicles, and they appear to be […]
Greer neighborhood holds emergency meeting after weekend break-in and shooting (SC)
The Brushy Creek Townes Homeowners Association called an emergency meeting Tuesday night after the break-in and shooting over the weekend. Read the article………………………..
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………………………..
Queen Creek gay couple’s pride flag vandalized, HOA requesting removal (AZ)
Jared said most of his neighbors have been supportive, but not all of them. He said a neighbor tried intimidating him outside his home. “They freaked us out pretty good. They took off down the end of the road and went around the cul-de-sac. They came back, stared us down, and then took off with […]
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………………………..
‘It’s terrifying’ Auburndale gated community wants more security after increase in dangerous encounters (FL)
After several scary incidents, a petition is being signed to get a response from the Lake Juliana Estates homeowner’s association. Read the article………………………..
State lawmaker acts in wake of investigation that uncovered gaping hole in Utah law
A state lawmaker is acting in the wake of a 2News Investigation that uncovered a gaping hole in Utah law when it comes to sex offenders and homeowners’ associations. Read the article………………………..
Travis County commissioners shoot down proposal from HOA looking to install more license plate readers (TX)
Travis County Commissioners have rejected a proposal that would have placed more cameras on public roads that police say can help solve crime. Members of the Rob Roy on the Creek Homeowners Association asked the County if they could use public roads to put up license plate readers operated by a company called Flock Safety. […]
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………………………..
Garage Grinches target condominium in Millcreek just before Christmas (UT)
Thieves targeted a condo complex in Millcreek ahead of the Christmas, allegedly cutting through a garage door and taking items from multiple vehicles. 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 […]
Florida man, 89, fights off wild hogs while walking dog in Palm Coast neighborhood
An 89-year-old man wants change in his Palm Coast neighborhood after he was attacked by two wild hogs while taking his dog out for a walk. David Reisman tells FOX 35 the animals launched at him on his front porch at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 8. “The first one jumped on me. The second grabbed […]
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 […]
License to scan: Plate readers found across Texas are mostly unregulated
Also sharing Flock data with police are homeowners associations, or HOAs. As of November, at least 40 HOAs in the KVUE viewing area use Flock cameras. There are 36 in Travis County and four in Williamson County. Read the article………………………..
Lake Forest residents petition city to add speed bumps due to safety concerns (AL)
Traffic safety concerns are growing in the Lake Forest subdivision as residents are asking the Property Owner’s Association to get the city to crack down on speeding in their neighborhood. Read the article………………………..
What Are An Association’s Responsibilities For Ensuring An Owner’s Safety? (NC)
There is often a breakdown between what homeowners within a community and the board of an association believe are the responsibilities of the association. Our association clients experience this with a myriad of issues, and one area of particular importance is that of homeowner safety. Read the article………………………..
Coquitlam strata told privacy policy required for video surveillance (BC)
Do you have concerns about video camera surveillance? One Coquitlam strata has 90 days to come up with a privacy policy for video collected by surveillance cameras. Read the article………………………..
Fake HOA workers distract 94-year-old, steal thousands worth of jewelry from Coconut Creek home (FL)
Police are investigating a robbery after two men posing as Homeowners Association workers stole from an elderly woman’s house in Coconut Creek on Wednesday. The 94-year-old woman who chose to remain unidentified told Local 10?s Rosh Lowe that two men who identified themselves as landscapers broke into her home and stole thousands of dollars’ worth […]
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………………………..
Neighbors demand Medford complex increase security after at least 4 vehicles had tires slashed (NY)
Residents of the Blue Ridge Condominium Complex say the issue has been happening for over a year. Cars in separate parking lots of the complex were vandalized. 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………………………..
94-year-old Broward woman burglarized by lying ‘landscapers,’ police say (FL)
Coconut Creek police are warning residents to be alert after a 94-year-old resident fell victim to a “distraction scam” last Thursday. Police said a man and a woman knocked on the older woman’s door, claiming to be landscapers hired by her homeowners association. Read the article………………………..
Kirkwood couple claim complex didn’t secure master keys, leading to $300,000 burglary (MO)
A Kirkwood couple filed suit Thursday alleging burglars stole more than $300,000 worth of property from their condo after their complex failed to secure the master key. Read the article………………………..
HOA installs solar powered camera to combat theft (TX)
Since last year, there’s been a double digit uptick in theft in San Antonio. A problem one HOA is working to combat. 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………………………..
Downtown Condo Owners Demand Solutions after Bullet Pierces Resident’s Window (MI)
“You destroy property, it can be replaced or repaired,” Kribbet said. “This was human beings attempting to harm or kill human beings.” Then things got even worse. About a week later, on Saturday, Sept. 17, Kribbet went outside around 10:30 p.m. She had been elected to the board of her condominium association and said she […]
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………………………..