HROA SECURITY BULLETIN

HROA SECURITY BULLETIN

Date: May, 2008

● Dial 911 for all Emergencies ●

Contact the Sheriff Dispatcher @ 781-4550 when you want a law enforcement response to an incident (other than traffic).

Contact the CHP Dispatcher @ 593-3333 when you want a law enforcement response to a traffic incident.

THEN REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CALL

HROA Security @ 227-6560

One (1) complaint regarding a keg party at campsite #12 with the property owner requesting a refund for campsite fees paid. Complaint also stated that HROA employees failed to take appropriate action.

Action: Campsite #12 was rented by a member and HROA records indicated that Security personnel handled the noise complaint in a timely manner, with compliance indicated. Complaining member advised, along with right to request a hearing before the Board of Directors.

Action: Courtesy notice sent to property owner with request for correction and clean-up within 14 days.

Action: SLO Sheriff contacted and arrived on scene without observing any violations.

In May 2008, the Board of Directors held their regularly scheduled monthly Board Meeting on May 9^th. The following appeals / security related issues were discussed or acted on (by agenda item):

4. Property Owner Appeal – Potter, Citation #7964, $75.00 Parking of RV (5:00 p.m.)

5. Property Owner Appeal – Testa, Citation #7998, $84.00 Parking of RV (5:15 p.m.)

6. Property Owner Appeal – Burgess, Citation #7903 and 7960, $150.00 Unleashed Dog and Impounding of Dog (5:30 p.m.)

7. Property Owner Appeal – Kincannon, Citation #7843, $25.00 Rear Fence Height (5:45 p.m.)

Action: Citation upheld, with future enforcement suspended until ballot results determined, to be mailed with Annual Election (to propose change to CC&Rs).

20. Approve/Disapprove to adopt the new HROA Rules and Regulations Book as prepared by Association Counsel Scott Baker

A draft on the re-write of the existing HROA Rules and Regulations was presented by Association Counsel to the Board in Executive Session on April 11, 2008. This was briefly reviewed and discussed with some minor changes requested in wording. THERE ARE NO CHANGES MADE TO THE INTENT OF THE EXISTING RULES AND REGULATIONS although there are some corrections that were made due to previous errors found in the existing Membership Handbook. (The intent of this issue being discussed in Executive Session was related to litigation exposure, compatibility with State and Federal laws, etc.)

Action: Approved with corrections. Association Counsel will now drop in training instructions under each section for Security and Code Enforcement personnel. This item will be on the agenda in June. The adopted books will then be posted on the HROA website.

22. Discussion Item: Parking of toys on Bluebird Lane (Tract 452) as requested by property owners Bunde and Rymal

Both Bunde and Rymal live on Bluebird Lane and have received warnings for parking their boats in the front setback area during the off-season. Bunde informed HROA that he purportedly received permission through application with the AEC Committee to specifically create a designated parking space for his boat in the front setback. Rymal states that he has no other place to park his boat during the off-season and believes if Bunde gets to park his in the front setback then he should be able to also. An attempt was made in the past (approximately 2004) to amend the CC&Rs for this tract, which failed. The current CC&Rs state: “Article XI. Section 6. The parking, storage or keeping of any camper boat trailer or recreational vehicle upon a lot in this tract is permitted under a carport or in a garage. If parked in a side yard or backyard it must be screened so as not to be visible to the occupants of other lots or streets.”

Action: Ballot vote approved to be mailed with Annual Election. Future enforcement suspended until ballot results determined (to propose change to CC&Rs).

Tract 1910's CC&Rs state: “Section 25. Any boat or recreational vehicle storage within the Lot shall be totally screened from view from adjoining parcels and all streets. This will generally require a garage enclosure integrated into the design of the residence.”

In 2006, property owners Jason and Terry Breese requested and received approval to circulate a petition to attempt to amend the CC&Rs in regards to screening of their toys. This created an unexpected controversy in the tract as it became apparent that the tract members were split on any change to the CC&Rs as written. Numerous members had specifically built a garage enclosure and felt the intent was clear based on the wording in the CC&Rs. Numerous meetings took place on this subject, where all members of Tract 1910 were invited. Eventually five options regarding the wording related to parking of toys was drafted to propose a ballot vote to amend the CC&Rs. A final meeting resulted in an informal vote to not issue a ballot to consider an amendment. The consensus of those present was that tarps, fitted covers and/or pop-ups and tents were not acceptable forms of screening. It was understood that something similar to a garage or solid structure was required to hide toys in Tract 1910. (A solid fence without a roof could make an acceptable substitute as long as the toy was not visible from any adjoining parcel or street.) It was additionally understood that “parking” was not “storing” and therefore a member could “park” their toy in their driveway without moving it for up to 72 hours.

Action: No action taken at this meeting. General Manager to draft resolution reflecting definition of screening for both Tracts 1910 and 1990.

December 2002, the Board of Directors adopted a job description for the AEC Planner Position and a person was hired. After two individuals filled this position, in June 2007 when the position again became available, it was decided by the General Manager to split the responsibilities between three persons (two existing employees and an inspector). The reasons for this change were numerous, which can be summarized as follows: 1) not enough appropriate checks and balances, 2) re-organization of other staff, 3) workload fluctuation, and 4) specific expertise. Since approximately July 2007 this re-organization has been working well with no complaints received.

Action: No action taken at this meeting. Agreed to have HROA Inspector, Joe Martinez attend future AEC Meeting(s).

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

HROA Security continues to assist law enforcement, with sixteen (16) law enforcement related incidents investigated in April 2008 which included: Vandalism, Dog Violations, Domestic Violence, Battery, Theft and Burglary.

Tract 447 experienced multiple burglaries where storage sheds were broken into and many items were stolen. HROA Security investigated these crimes and thanks to an HROA member, many stolen items were recovered. This appears to have been committed by juveniles as the stolen items were located in a nearby tree house. The items were returned to the owner and the investigation is continuing with the assistance of Deputy Goossen of the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s Deputies arrested an individual for Domestic Violence due to the quick response of HROA Security who responded to the call for assistance. Upon the deputies arrival the investigation was turned over to them and the final outcome was one arrested, removed and booked at County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Department completed reports on four incidents where HROA Security assisted. One of these incidents involved vandalism that occurred at the Recreation Barn. The Gatehouse received a call of vandalism in progress at the Recreation Barn. Officer Wright arrived minutes after the call was received and identified two individuals running from the crime scene. Through Officer Wright’s follow up investigation, one of the individuals who he observed running from the scene was identified as the perpetrator of the crime. Officer Goossen was assigned this investigation and according to Officer Wright the investigation was turned over to the District Attorney for prosecution. The individual identified does not live on the Ranch but does visit a family member.

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 238-9641 and leave me a message. I will return your call.

Neighborhood watch is not only a term but a way of life. It is important that you help your neighbors and be the “eyes and ears” of law enforcement. Heritage Ranch is a growing community and is experiencing crimes like larger cities. Houses are being broken into and vehicles and other items are being stolen. We need to work together to stop these types of unwanted activities at Heritage Ranch.

Being a good neighbor is not being a nosey neighbor, it is observing things that look out of place, such as: a light on in the house when you know the family is away, a strange car parked in a driveway and of course someone climbing in a window who you know is not your neighbor. Observations like these need to be reported immediately, by calling both Security and the Sheriff’s Department. Security is only minutes away and is trained to handle these types of situations. The Sheriff’s Department wants to hear from you directly, as they want the individual who is witnessing this type of activity to report that to them.

Communicate with your neighbors, and make sure your home is clearly marked so responding Security and Law Enforcement can find you without delay.

Remember, locks and alarms cannot prevent burglaries unless they are used. Outside lighting may be one of the best deterrents to crime. For assistance, or a security inspection contact Security Manager Sergeant Barrera at 227-6560 or the SLO County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit at 781-4547.

Allow Security and Law Enforcement to help you help yourselves. We all have a common goal in mind, to live in a safe and peaceful community.