AlexL1
(Florida)
Posts:149
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| 07/29/2008 7:11 PM |
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| What actions can one legally take to stop individuals from using the community pool within the condo complex? Individuals (who are not legal residents) will JUMP the fence.... or even use a card of some kind to open the gate to get in. I suspect that the police would do nothing... Can anyone do anything? |
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MicheleD
(Kentucky)
Posts:1704
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| 07/29/2008 7:28 PM |
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Salt shot?
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Sorry. That wasn't helpful. I'm afraid that the Penny Sake night at Sake Blue tonight might have greater influence over me than I realized.
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NicoleO4
Posts:0
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| 07/29/2008 8:16 PM |
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Posted By MicheleD on 07/29/2008 7:28 PM
Salt shot?
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Sorry. That wasn't helpful. I'm afraid that the Penny Sake night at Sake Blue tonight might have greater influence over me than I realized.
How about cctv? We did it and it has stopped all trespassers. @ cameras and set up ( 2) cost around $2500. ( montior dvr included.) The thought that they will be video'd may be enough. |
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KarenS11
(Florida)
Posts:145
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| 07/29/2008 8:24 PM |
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| We have the same problem. How would I get in touch with CCTV? Any other ideas / solutions? |
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KirkW1
(Texas)
Posts:1145
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| 07/29/2008 8:39 PM |
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| What makes you assume the police won't help you. I would start with a call to them to inquire what you and they can do. Without some police assistance you will be hard pressed to affect any other actions. Partly because few people are going to coorperate in letting you know who to file legal action against. |
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RW1
(Florida)
Posts:149
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| 07/30/2008 4:45 AM |
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If they are not residents in any way (or guests) then they are trespassing.
Based on our experiences with trespassers fishing in our lakes... you will need to have the appropriate signage stating who the pool is for and warning treapassers, etc.
Then the police will be able to "assist" them in leaving the (private) property if they witness the trespass and the "suspects" cannot show proof of residency.
Cameras only document who WAS there and it is difficult to establish they were not residents or friends of residents etc. once they are gone. Not worth the expense in our case.
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BradP
(Kansas)
Posts:1742
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| 07/30/2008 6:33 AM |
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Alex:
put up "no trespassing" signage" and get a simple video system and turn the evidence over to the police. They are trespassing and it is a crime, with proper evidence the police will do something. |
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NicoleO4
Posts:0
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| 07/30/2008 6:58 AM |
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WE also did the signs to NO avail. We had a board member physically threatend, and when we called the police. The trespasser was LONG gone. Our most horrendous event was when about 10 young teens broke in and had razor scooters in the pool. The police came, took a report called some parents and that was it.
CCTV. Look in your local yellow pages for security cameras.
It wasn't as much as we thought it would be, and it has been a HUGE deterrant. Signs didn't help... but the CCTV did.
It will also act as a assitant with liability claims. What if someone claimed they fell at the pool and hurt thier back? Blammo you have it on film just in case you need it ! |
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MicheleD
(Kentucky)
Posts:1704
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| 07/30/2008 7:53 AM |
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I certainly feel for you all.
This is a very tricky situation.
On the one hand, people can say,"Hey, it's summer, it's just youthful pranks. Quit being so grumpy and selfish. What's the worst that could happen?"
Well, I just read a sad story in the news just yesterday about a young one (a girl, I think 14 years old) who died when her arm was caught in the suction of a drain in the bottom of an apartment complex's pool. She was under water for at least 20 minutes before rescue workers could free her.
She and 2 or 3 of her friends had jumped the fence at around 2:00 a.m. to party around the pool.
Sad story. Sad result.
Wish there were some guaranteed way to keep people out who shouldn't be there.
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GlenL
(Ohio)
Posts:1375
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| 07/30/2008 9:03 AM |
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Posted By MicheleD on 07/30/2008 7:53 AM
Wish there were some guaranteed way to keep people out who shouldn't be there.
Maybe razor wire at the top of the fence would do it. |
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BrianB
(California)
Posts:1742
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| 07/30/2008 9:25 AM |
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follow the advice so far; prepare the police to work with you on trespassing calls. Set up cameras, if you can afford it, in conjunction, to gather evidence.
Remember that just because the police do or don't do anything, the HOA still has civil remedies: they can sue the trespassers or their parents for damages, for example, and it isn't hard to "damage" a pool: charge the parents with a clean up, chemical use, backwash, etc.. Failure of the police to charge with a crime doesn't mean you can't sue in claims court, etc., with the right preparation.
Last resort, send a bill to the tresspassing parties for use of the pool facilities, including the "late night access fee" and the "non-resident charge". make sure it's painful, say $5000 or so. If they want to use your pool, then at least charge them for it. when they don't pay, you get another crack at them in civil court, wage garnishments, etc.. if you have video footage of them in the area, you make your case easy for the judge.
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DJ1
(Ontario)
Posts:456
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| 07/30/2008 9:36 AM |
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Posted By GlenL on 07/30/2008 9:03 AM Posted By MicheleD on 07/30/2008 7:53 AM
Wish there were some guaranteed way to keep people out who shouldn't be there.
Maybe razor wire at the top of the fence would do it.
Electrifying the fence would work and you wouldn't have to put up the razor wire, just a black and white wire and a sign of course. Climbing and drowning is no longer a problem.
Seriously though, the signs are a minimum and police to enforce trespassing. Camera's might cost 2500.00 but how much does a lawsuit and higher insurance premiums gonna cost you if something happens. |
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MicheleD
(Kentucky)
Posts:1704
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| 07/30/2008 1:49 PM |
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Posted By GlenL on 07/30/2008 9:03 AM Posted By MicheleD on 07/30/2008 7:53 AM
Wish there were some guaranteed way to keep people out who shouldn't be there.
Maybe razor wire at the top of the fence would do it.
Well, that's why my first gut-response was "salt shot," you know, shotgun pellets replaced with rock salt in a pellet gun?
They sting somethin' awful. . . |
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DwightT
(Idaho)
Posts:456
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| 07/30/2008 1:56 PM |
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Posted By MicheleD on 07/30/2008 1:49 PM Posted By GlenL on 07/30/2008 9:03 AM Posted By MicheleD on 07/30/2008 7:53 AM
Wish there were some guaranteed way to keep people out who shouldn't be there.
Maybe razor wire at the top of the fence would do it. Well, that's why my first gut-response was "salt shot," you know, shotgun pellets replaced with rock salt in a pellet gun? They sting somethin' awful. . .
Personal experience Michele?
What really stings though is getting it back out again. And that IS from personal experience. |
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DJ1
(Ontario)
Posts:456
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| 07/30/2008 2:45 PM |
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Gee I thought I was being nice by only suggesting 110v instead of 220v...you guys are nice!  |
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KarenS11
(Florida)
Posts:145
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| 07/30/2008 3:52 PM |
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DJ1,
While electrifying the fence would be more aesthetically pleasing than garishness of razor wire, I think with oil prices being what they are, this would not be a financially feasible option to most HOAs! |
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DJ1
(Ontario)
Posts:456
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| 07/30/2008 5:26 PM |
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| Karen, With many HOA's being over-ridden to now allow Solar panels you could probably tie them in to the fence with no problem. |
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AugustS1
(Louisiana)
Posts:2
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| 08/01/2008 9:58 PM |
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| you can put alligators in the pool at night, violators gone and no messy clean up |
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DJ1
(Ontario)
Posts:456
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| 08/02/2008 1:21 PM |
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| Yeah but once the violators stop trespassing then you need to find an alternate source of food for the gators....maybe some of those rogue BOD members we hear about from time to time. Couldn't resist. |
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CharlieS
(Tennessee)
Posts:21
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| 08/02/2008 3:11 PM |
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For those interested in CCTV systems you can contact Supercircuits.com I work for a company that installs these and you can get a good deal from them and they can answer all your questions. You can get one set up for under a $1,000 if you do it yourself.
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