Recap of January 2009

# of Calls for Service by Security: 151

# of Member Communication Forms Received at Association Office:  11

Three (3) separate complaints regarding the Association Office not being open on weekends related to obtaining new Identification Cards.

Action: Office staff notified complaining parties that the office will be open on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 8 a.m. until noon for the specific purpose of issuing new Identification Cards.

One (1) complaint regarding tree down in common area creating a fire hazard.   

Action: Turned over to Maintenance to inspect and remove if required.

One (1) complaint regarding damage done to the guardrail near the Main Marina, and requesting speed bumps on Heritage Road be considered to be installed to help deter speeders.  

Action: GM notified complaining party that the hit-and-run suspect had been identified and fined.   

One (1) complaint involving our Security Consultant related to an on-going neighbor dispute

Action: Both neighbors met with Board of Directors in February with no evidence provided to warrant further action.

One (1) complaint related to sheepherders. 

Action: Volunteer Jerry Wallace spoke with sheepherders on behalf of HROA. 

One (1) complaint (from a tenant) related to a citation received for a loose/impounded dog, stating it was an unreasonable fine; also stating that landlord did not provide copy of HROA Rules and Regulations.

Action:  Appeal before the Board of Directors in February, resulted in citation being upheld.     

One (1) complaint regarding wanting Association Office open later in the evenings to avoid late fee for last-minute payment of assessments.

Action: No action taken           

One (1) complaint regarding two (2) neighbors backyard fences being dilapidated and falling down.

Action: Turned over to Code Enforcement who issued warnings to both owners           

One (1) complaint regarding a domestic issue involving a potential restraining order against the husband and various other issues related to his behavior and actions.

Action: Board of Directors added individual to “Unauthorized Guest List” in February           

# of Citations Issued:  55

Parking Violation = 3

Parking Violation / Marina = 2

Parking of Boat, RV, Camper = 4

Driving / Parking in Common Area = 1

Failure to Stop = 1

Excessive Speed = 1

Unsafe Driving / Passing = 1

Off-Road Vehicle = 1

Aiding Illegal Entry = 2

Unleashed Dog = 4

Impounding of Dog = 3

Barking or Nuisance Animal = 3

Theft of Property = 2

Non-Payment of Usage Fees = 3

Illegal Tenant / Resident = 9

Lot – General Clean-up = 1

Lot – Weeds / Debris = 1

Storage of Watercraft = 15

Other = 2

(Written Warnings Issued = 29)

Summary of action taken at Board Meeting(s) for January 2009

In January 2009, the Board of Directors held their Second-Quarter meeting for Fiscal Year 2008/2009.  The following appeals / security related issues were discussed or acted on (by agenda item):

2.  Property Owner Appeal – Pratt, Citation #9015, $25.00 Parking of Vessel (use letter) Citation requested to be voided by Security.   SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Action: Voided

3.  Property Owner Appeal – Martin, Citation #8844, $25.00 Driving or Parking on Vacant Lot (use letter) Citation requested to be voided by Security.   SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Action: Voided

4.  Property Owner Appeal – Cleary, Citation #8834, $25.00 Parking of Vessel (use letter) Citation requested to be voided by Security.   SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Action: Voided

10. Property Owner Appeal – Henigman, Citation #8842, 8843 $90.00 Non-Payment of Usage Fee (4:45 p.m.) Action: Reduced Citation #8842 to $20.00, Upheld Citation #8843 and voided a prior Citation #2331.  Total due $40.00

11. Property Owner Appeal – Barker, Citation #8423, $50.00 Bare Groundcover (5:00 p.m.) Action: Upheld

12. Property Owner Appeal – Ptaszenski, Citation #8852 $300.00 Illegal Tenant (5:15 p.m.) Action: Changed to a warning

Other action taken in Executive Session: Compliance Deposits were forfeited for Martin, $2,500.00; McClory, $7,500.00; Mulholland, $5,000.00; Pederson, $5,000.00; and Winslow, $10,000.00.  A Compliance Deposit was returned to Beatty.

The open session was delayed to allow time for a Neighborhood Watch Meeting with Representative Rob Bryan from the Sheriff’s Department.  That was combined with a Tract 1910 Meeting to address concerns related to the recent residential burglaries in that Tract.  Approximately 100 persons were present during this discussion. 

In Open Session the Board took action on the following:

21. Approve/Disapprove, by resolution, payment of $2,365.51 to Supercircuits, Inc. for camera-related equipment for repairs and upgrades at the Main Gatehouse and North Gatehouse  Action:  Approved, with Barker and Martin opposed 

22. Approve/Disapprove changing the HROA Inspector job description to have them attend the AEC Committee Meetings (as a paid employee)  Action:  Motion did not carry, with Prunk, Roach and Smith opposed

Related to Item #22, a contract was approved between HROA and Bill Kilpatrick to perform the HROA Inspector position. 

You can find the agenda and minutes for all meetings by clicking on the CALENDAR found on the front page of the HROA website at www.hroa.us

Summary of Security-Related Activities

HROA Security continues to assist law enforcement, with twenty (20) law enforcement related incidents investigated in January 2009.  These incidents included: five (5) vandalisms, six (6) thefts, three (3) burglaries, one (1) hit-and-run traffic accident and two (2) DUI arrests resulting from traffic accidents.

Details are as follows: HROA was the victim of three (3) vandalisms in January 2009. Tract 1910’s control box was vandalized, the towel dispensers at the campground and small pool were removed from the wall and destroyed, and the lawn to the rear of the restrooms in Tract 447 was damaged by a four-wheeler.  HROA reported the damage to the Sheriff’s Department for prosecution if the suspects are identified.  The lawns in the area of Comanche and Klamath Court were also damaged by what appeared to be the same type of vehicle, and possibly the same vandals.  

A vehicle in Tract 447 on Yellow Feather was vandalized; the windows were smashed by an unknown suspect.     

Suspects attempted to steal a navigation device from an unlocked vehicle on Sorrel Lane.  Suspects stole gasoline and stereo equipment from a pontoon boat which was moored near the Heritage Ranch docks.  A large amount of firewood was stolen from Tract 1990; HROA Security investigated and identified the individuals responsible for the theft.  That information was turned over to the Sheriff’s Department.  A dispute between a taxi driver and an HROA member occurred on Chaparral Lane.  Law Enforcement decided this was a civil matter and advised the taxi driver to seek damages through the civil court.  HROA documented the incident. 

HROA Maintenance discovered the Maintenance building was entered and property removed.  HROA Security along with the Sheriff’s Department is investigating this burglary.         

Tract 1910 burglaries have been under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.  Additional information was discovered in regard to a burglary which occurred in December of 2008 on Pintail which may or may not be related to the Tract 1910 burglaries.  That information was passed on to Deputy Rechtfertiz who is the assigned Sheriff’s Investigator.  NOTE: On February 26, 2009 it was reported that six (6) people were taken into custody associated with burglaries reported at Heritage Ranch. 

Unauthorized cutting of trees occurred in Tract 447 behind Running Bear Court.  Code Enforcement Officer Throckmorton investigated and identified the individual who committed this violation.  The individual has been cited for not only altering the common area but the clean up, rehabilitation of the area and  replacement of the trees. The wood was confiscated by HROA Maintenance.

A CSD employee/Heritage Ranch resident was arrested for being involved in a traffic accident while intoxicated on HROA property.  A thirteen (13) year old female juvenile received injuries during the incident. The driver was turned over to the CHP.  A second DUI arrest occurred on January 31, 2009 when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed overturned on Gateway Drive near Heritage Road.  The individual driving is a Heritage Ranch resident.  The driver was arrested and turned over to the CHP. 

On January 17, 2009 a hit-and-run accident occurred on Heritage Road north of Loop Road.  Follow-up investigation by Heritage Security identified the hit-and-run vehicle and the driver.  That information was passed on to the CHP who interviewed the owner of the vehicle and the individual who was the driver at the time of the accident.  The damage to both HROA and CSD totaled over $3,000.00.  HROA submitted a claim to the insurance companies.  The member who allowed the individual on the Ranch has also been cited.  This crime was solved as a result of an investigation completed by HROA Security Officers, Sergeant Barrera, Officers Place, Wright and Arnold  with the assistance of HROA Gate Personnel Manager Morgan and Jessica Collins. Evidence was supported by the video equipment at the Main Gatehouse.  

A carport fire occurred at 4320 Sage Lane which was caused by placing hot coals in a plastic bucket and placing that bucket in the vicinity of a stack of firewood.  The fire was extinguished and the mop-up was completed by CDF.                

HROA Security’s goal is to provide services to HROA Members that will most benefit them.  If you wish to speak to me directly, call the Association Office at 805-238-9641, leave me a message and I will return your call. All information received will be kept confidential and greatly appreciated.  Please be a responsible neighbor and report suspicious behavior.        

Sincerely,

Butch Cantalupo

Security Consultant for HROA

Tip of the Month – Community Patrol

Due to the recent crimes that have occurred throughout Heritage Ranch it has become important to re-implement the Community Patrol and again ask for volunteers to join.   Heritage Ranch started a Community Patrol a few years ago but as the needs diminished so did the involvement and the program faltered.  Sergeant Barrera has two (2) volunteers at this time that reside in Tract 1910.  Volunteers are needed for all Tracts.  Community Patrol is able to supply additional neighborhood security throughout the Ranch.  If you are interested in joining the Community Patrol contact Sergeant Barrera at the following e-mail address: security@hroa.us or call him directly at 805-227-6560.    

PLAY SAFE

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

HELP US, HELP YOU