How to Stop Unauthorized Individuals from using the Pool

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. . .

Gee I thought I was being nice by only suggesting 110v instead of 220v...you guys are nice!

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.

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.