Late night pool party

Started by DwightT • 11 replies • 1553 views

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DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

Here is a new one for me. This morning when I checked our pool security system logs, I noticed that somebody had tried to use their access code to get into the pool at 1:00AM. Our pool hours are 7:00AM to 10:00PM and the security system won't let regular users in outside of those hours.

When I checked the video, I saw that after their code wouldn't let them in, one of them climbed over the gate and let the others in (two men and one woman). They then proceeded to disable some of the security lights and have a little pool party, including beer and skinny dipping. Other than unscrewing the security lights, I don't think they actually damaged anything.

Any thoughts? I was tempted to post some photos from the video to our website, but I decided that would probably be going a bit far. I've disabled that access code for now, but that apparently won't have much impact on them.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

1) can you ID them?
2) do your rules have procedures for violations?

If so, then follow your procedures, start the violation process.

If not, and you just want to be a snot about it, send a letter to all owners, with picture enclosed, stating that in order to prevent vandalism, damage, potential lawsuits, and the spread of diseases, the HOA will need to hire 24x7 security personnel, at a cost of approximately $150,000 per year. There will be a special meeting of the owners at noon on July 4 to register protests to the new assessment of $XXX per lot which will be due July 31 in order to safeguard against these malicious felons.

IreneC (North Carolina)
Posts: 111

Posted:

I do agree with Brian to an extent. If this is not a common issue with your pool which is doesn't sound like it is, you don't want this to be happening again.

I would do the circulation of the picture if you can NOT ID them. If they have an access key they may be guest, renters or other HO's . A letter reminding people of the pool time along with the picture is a wonderful way to alert all that this is a serious matter.. and who knows. The picture being circulated may be enough for nobody else to do this again.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

I would deal with the "criminals" privately. Then a public reminder of pool rules is in order.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I think Brian was being tongue-in-cheek about circulating the picture and upping the annual fees. . .but I could be wrong.

I don't recommend at all circulating any pictures to anyone.

However, I would definitely proceed with the enforcement process against the owner of the key that was attempting to be used.

A simple letter reminding them of the restrictions regarding the pool, the fact that you have information from both the security lock and the security cameras that the pool gate was breached, and that further infractions will not be tolerated and will result in legal action should be enough to quash any future forays by that particular homeowner.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

and perhaps a reminder that you have security camera footage of the skinny dipping, and there are lots of websites that would love to host such footage...

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BrianB on 06/14/2008 8:40 PM
and perhaps a reminder that you have security camera footage of the skinny dipping, and there are lots of websites that would love to host such footage...

I think that possibility took care of the problem more than anything. We identified the homeowner from the access code that they attempted to use. When we told the owner about the incident and that it had been captured on video, there where plenty of red cheeks. The homeowner and her sister where worried that everyone in the neighborhood would find out about it. I don't think we'll have any further problems from them.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Dwight:

This could be a huge fundraiser for your HOA and could significantly lower your assessments...there are a lot of people who would pay significant money for that video...

Seriously, now...I think the way you handled it was appropriate, their brains must have been churning as they tried to figure out who got to see them in the buff. And I thought nothing fun ever happened after midnight.

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

Actually, the video isn't that good. Since they unscrewed the lights closest to where they were, they were mostly in the dark. I could see them take their clothes off and I could tell that they weren't wearing bathing suits, but that's about it. Not all that exciting at all.

Of course, I'm not about to let them know that.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

With some good marketing skills you can turn that video into a huge seller...embarrassment tends to be a good solver of problems.

IreneC (North Carolina)
Posts: 111

Posted:

Dwight good for you! I didn't read you recognized the culprits.. lol. I read it so fast I thought the pics were ambiguous. A picture mailed out that is ambiguous may only be identified by the culprit purhaps. You must have amazing dvr service.

PatrickH (California)
Posts: 204

Posted:

Hi Dwight,

We have both a fob access system and security cameras at our pool, so here's what we do.

If someone tries to use the fob after closing hours, it's recorded on the software but the gate doesn't open. We then review the videotape to see if they jumped the gate to get in.

If they did, we send a letter to the homeowner that the fob is registered to telling them that "someone" used their fob to try to get in to the pool after closing hours and then was videotaped jumping the gate to gain acees after the gate didn't open.

We ask them to come to the next Board meeting to dicuss the situation. We inform them that the Board may consider removing their fob number from the access sytem for 30 days unless the owner can assure the Board that the fob is not being used by unauthorized people trying to tresspass on on property.

Since the fob was often used by some owner's teenage kid without their knowledge, they are usually pretty understanding and make sure it doesn't happen again.

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