Recap of April 2010

# of Calls for Service by Security: 163

# of Member Communication Forms Received at Association Office:  6

1- Last month, several complaints (written and verbal) were received regarding a storage trailer belonging to the US Government being located in the center of Brook Lane.  In the month of April, the storage trailer still had not been removed, and another complaint was received.

Action: The Investigating Officer continued to attempt to get the storage container removed which included issuing citations.  The storage trailer was finally removed.

2- One (1) complaint regarding a warning issued to a member for not returning a temporary placard issued to them.  The member felt a phone call or a letter would have been appropriate.

Action:  Julie Morgan contacted the member to apologize for any misunderstanding, but also to clarify a phone call was made with no response, which caused the warning to be issued.

3- One (1) complaint regarding illegal dumping, littering, reckless driving, etc. at the end of Timberline Drive in Tract 1990.

Action: GM Richey met with Tract 1990 LLC representatives, as verbal complaints had also been received by them and others related to trespassing and other issues related to their private lots.  Temporary fencing has since been erected.

4- One (1) complaint regarding the main electric breaker switch of a member’s home being turned off.  The member had not been at his home since April 2009, and the time span of when this could have happened was therefore over a year.  There was about $300.00 in meat spoiled in the member’s freezer.  

Action: The Investigating Officer documented the incident, with no leads at this time.  The member was advised he may want to padlock the main breaker box.

5- One (1) complaint from a member of the Equestrian Center claiming their hay was being stolen.  The complaint states this has happened at least thirty-five (35) times in the last two (2) years.

Action: The Investigating Officer interviewed numerous individuals, along with both wranglers and the Maintenance Manager, and found no evidence at this time to support any hay thefts.  The same member has complained in the past, with similar results.  As a result of the previous complaints, the hay was stored in a locked bin.  The wranglers use a key to access the hay, and the member now believes either the key has been compromised or one of the wranglers is stealing the hay.

6- One (1) complaint regarding being denied membership privileges related to the member renting their house out, and now moving back in.

Action: The member was advised to go to the HROA Office and straighten out their paperwork, since the property was no longer rented.  The member fulfilled this and re-established their residency status.

# of Citations Issued:  51

Parking Violation = 3

Parking Violation / Marina = 4

Parking of Boat, RV, Camper = 7

Driving / Parking in Common Area = 5

Defacing Common Area = 2

Excessive Speed = 1

Excessive Speed in School Zone = 1

Unsafe Driving / Passing = 3

DUI = 1

Damage to Roads = 1

Illegal Dumping / Common Areas = 2

Illegal Entry = 3

Aiding Illegal Entry = 2

Vehicle Not in HROA System = 4

Minor / Alcohol = 1

Disturbing the Peace = 1

Unleashed Dog = 2

Barking or Nuisance Animal = 2

Non-Payment of Usage Fees = 1

Illegal Tenant / Resident = 2

Lot – Weeds /Debris = 7

Storage of Watercraft = 2

Other = 5

(Multiple Violations = 11, Written Warnings Issued = 28)

Summary of action taken at Board Meeting(s) for April 2010

In April 2010, the Board of Directors held their Third-Quarter Board Meeting on April 16^th.  The following appeals / security related issues were discussed or acted on (by agenda item):

 2.  Property Owner Appeal – Haynes, Citation #9794, $309.00, Aiding Illegal Entry/Vehicle not in HROA System and DMV look-up (4:30 p.m.) Action: Reduced to $50.00

4.  Property Owner Appeal – Parker (Tenant), Citation #9766, $250.00, Aiding Illegal Entry (4:45 p.m.) Action:

Voided

5.  Property Owner Appeal – Bartholow, Citation #9613, $600.00, Defacing Common Area/AEC Violation plus HROA costs (5:00 p.m.) Action: Changed to a Warning

6.  Property Owner Appeal – Hatfield, Citation #9792, $300.00, Aiding Illegal Entry/Vehicle not in HROA System (5:15 p.m.) Action: Changed Citation #9791 (carried over from last meeting) to a warning, and reduced Citation #9792 to $100.00

7.  Property Owner Appeal – Peterson (Resident), Citation #9881, $300.00, Illegal Entry/Aiding Illegal Entry  (5:30 p.m.) Action: Reduced to $100.00

8.  Property Owner Appeal – Barker, Citation #9835, $59.00, Vessel not in system and DMV look-up (5:45 p.m.) Action: Upheld

18.  Property Owner Appeal of an AEC Committee decision – Approve/Disapprove to allow a 4" concrete sidewalk area in the front road easement of Lot 259 of Tract 446  In April 2010 Code Enforcement notified Mr. Leitner that he was performing work on his property and in the road easement without AEC approval.  Mr. Leitner was instructed to submit his plans to the AEC Committee which he complied with.

At the April 8, 2010 meeting, the AEC Committee disapproved the project, and directed Mr. Leitner to the HROA Board of Directors given the fact that Section 4.01.06 Road Easements does not specify whether a concrete sidewalk can be installed, and whether it needs to be 4" or 6" thick.  The concrete sidewalk is already poured and it is 4" thick.  Action:  Approved sidewalk

24.  Approve/Disapprove to issue a ballot in with the Annual August 2010 Election for Tract 721 to allow a three (3) foot fence in the front setback  The sponsor for this is Denise Roach, Lot 3/721.  Action: Tabled until next month’s meeting

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 fifty-seven (57) law enforcement related incidents reported in April 2010.  These included: 18 disturbing the peace, 6 check the welfare, 8 possible prowlers (trespass), 3 vandalisms, 5 traffic accidents (one DUI related), 1 animal cruelty, 5 illegal parking violations, 3 alarms,1 burglary and 7 vehicle thefts, along with 39 dog related calls.  There were no cattle or sheep related calls.     

The following required additional follow up investigation; a hot prowl burglary occurred in the 2800 block of Old Wrangler Lane. The suspect kicked in the side door and when the suspect entered he observed a male standing in the kitchen.  The suspect then fled.  This investigation was turned over to the SLO County Sheriff’s Department and this crime has not yet been solved. The suspect is described as a male, white, 5’9” tall with blonde or reddish hair and in his twenties.    

A rash of vehicle thefts occurred in the past two (2) months in Tract 446.  An additional seven (7) vehicles were entered in the month of April.  Both the SLO County Sheriff’s Department and HROA Security have been investigating these crimes.  A few people of interest were named as possible suspects, although no property has been recovered and no arrests have been made at this time. 

A hit and run traffic accident occurred in Tract 1094 on Equestrian Road.  A parked vehicle was struck and this crime was reported the following day.  It has been determined that the hit and run vehicle may be an ATV.  This investigation is ongoing. 

A driving under the influence (DUI) traffic accident occurred on Easter morning.  The driver was arrested and transported off of HROA property by the California Highway Patrol.  HROA Security investigated the incident and the driver was cited under the HROA DUI regulation.

Five (5) vandalisms occurred in April.  Three (3) of those were involving HROA property: a broken bench at the Pavilion, a cabinet at Gateway Park which contained the base line chalk marker, and a mirror broken at the bathroom at Gateway Park. Two (2) other vandalisms occurred on private property.  The first was at the private docks at the Oak Bay Condominiums where the anchor ropes were cut.  The second involved some mailboxes located on Water View Drive, which were damaged.  This turned out to be an accident.  The individual involved ended up reporting the accident to HROA, repaired the damage and notifyed the appropriate owners. 

Two (2) domestic violence incidents occurred which were turned over to law enforcement.  No further information is reportable. 

Two (2) unattended dogs attacked and killed two (2) domestic rabbits in Tract 1063.  The investigation identified the owner of the unattended dogs, who was cited for the appropriate HROA Rules and Regulations, along with a notification to SLO Animal Regulations.

On Little Creek Lane in Tract 446, an unattended yellow Labrador Retriever jumped up and scratched the driver’s door of a passing vehicle.  At this point the dog has not been identified and the investigation is still pending.

HROA Security’s goal is to provide services to HROA Members that will most benefit them.  If you wish to speak to me directly, you can call the Association Office at 805-238-9641 and leave me a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.  Our goal is to maintain your confidentiality if you are complaining about another member.  Please keep in mind that certain complaints by their nature might require your cooperation in order to process them to your complete satisfaction.                

Sincerely,

Butch Cantalupo

Security Consultant for HROA

Tip of the Month “Lock It or Lose It”

One of the most valuable items we own is our vehicle.  For that reason vehicles are a prime target.  Vehicles parked in driveways, in carports and on the roadway are vulnerable.  It is vital that you lock your vehicles and remove valuable items that are visible from the outside.  In the past HROA has experienced crimes involving vehicle burglaries and vandalism.

ALERTS:  Suspicious sounds can alert you if someone is tampering with your vehicle, for example: your dog barking continuously, alarms activated in the area, the sound of breaking glass, and the obvious hearing voices outside your home during the late hours or early morning.  Call HROA Security immediately if you detect someone tampering with your vehicle, and then call the SLO County Sheriff’s Department.  Turning on the outside lights will most likely scare the individual away, but will hinder the chance of HROA Security apprehending them. You should do what you feel is in your best interest, but do not put yourself in harms way by going outside and confronting the thief.

PLAY SAFE

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

HELP US, HELP YOU