Tell Us How You Would Run Our Security

[Golfingbear]

OK everybody I've read the multitude of post on Security. My conclusions are: It looks like the majority want no rules on speeding, stop signs, crefew, golf carts, skateboarders, CC&R violations, parking of any kind, etc. The only overall agreement is that almost everyone serving on any of our elected boards is either stupid, or incompenent.

So here's a thread that ask: How would you run our security? What do you want security to do for you and this community? Perhaps out of your answers we can get a basic idea which way to go and then figure out how much it will cost.

No one has ever been bashful so now's the time to let someone who really cares how it should be.

[Matthew]

Golfingbear I personally do want rules on every one of the items you mentioned. I also do not think anyone on any of our boards are stupid or incompetent.

I really want to have this discussion, but I don't have the time to adequately put into it right now. I will post my thoughts later this evening.

[hautemomma]

I want to give it some thought before I post my 'security wish list'. I'll definitely get this posted tonight.

I think this is a great opportunity for folks to get their ideas to you on what we see as our own personal 'bests' for Murieta. Hopefully we'll see some new users post, or even just create an account so they can PM you (golfingbear) an answer, if they dont want to post publicly.

[DBCooper]

Golfingbear,

Keep up the good work at the board level. The discussions online have little relevance to reality. You know this as the apathy the causes multiple extensions every time there is an election for the board is proof that the majority have no opinion. Know youre doing a good job. Follow your gut instinct on the security and let the chips fall where they may.

[Birdieman]

GB, as I've stated in the past on many occasions I am in favor of security being just that, security. They should be doing exactly what the job description of security by CSD entails. They should also be enforcing our HOA rules and CC&R's. Simple as that. As far as fines go, I am in favor of tiers starting at either $25 or $50 and doubling for every offense committed there after going back down to $25 or $50 if no other offenses occure in the next 12 months. No one here wants an oppressed lifestyle force onto them by our own HOA, we all live here for the freedom and safety of living here. Our crime is minimal and our problems are minute compare to any other community near by. You have a vocal minority who want to make it look as if we are worse off than we actually are. Don't believe the hype. Let me know when you can't go for a walk after dark, let your kids play outside without fear of someone snatching them up at any moment, when peole are getting carjacked, the local bank getting robbed, daily shootings etc... Then we can talk about police forces and extremes as such. Until then, let's all just enjoy what we have.

[scatter]

I have been critical of the RMA board before, but wow asking what we want really impresses me. I know RMO is not representive of the entire community, but I hope you get some good feedback. I too will give it some thought and post later. Thank you for asking the question.

[pingtheduck]

Hey Golfing -

Thanks for posting. I think it would be helpful for everyone interested to post a security wish list. I'd hate to see this thread get mangled with people distracted into responding about the

"The only overall agreement is that almost everyone serving on any of our elected boards is either stupid, or incompenent."

comment. I think it is a tiny vocal minority if anyone feels that way. In any case - a security wish list is a great idea. I'll post one later too. We really need a clear, easy to digest statement of what the residents would like. RMO is an ideal forum for that kind of information gathering.

[Wilbur]

Thanks, Dick, for asking. It's a smart, proactive move.

Count me as a "no" on the dumb & incompetent question. Beseiged and overwhelmed at times, but not dumb and incompetent.

Some sampling of residents' priorities can be gleaned from the survey we worked up for CSD.
CSD survey finds community gives high grades to Security operation | RanchoMurieta.com -- Rancho Murieta news, homes, golf, forums and people

As Karen summarized some of the relevant findings,

The survey offered participants a chance to choose the areas where Security should focus and the areas where it doesn't need to. From among 18 categories of safety, ordinance enforcement and law-enforcement assistance, these were the top three ranked as "very" or "somewhat" important:

• Drug use in common areas: 70.0 percent
• Drunken driving: 68.5 percent
• Drunk and disorderly: 68.3 percent

And these three were at the bottom, ranked as "slightly" or "not" important by these percentages:

• Skateboard ordinance enforcement: 30.4 percent
• Wildlife problems: 27.5 percent
• Business security checks: 20.5 percent

Of 10 choices dealing with enforcement of RMA compliance issues, these were the top three rated "very" or "somewhat" important:

• Gate operation/screening visitors: 70.3 percent
• Unauthorized persons using parks: 56.5 percent
• "Quiet hour" noise complaints: 51.8 percent

The bottom three, rated "slightly" or "not" important by these percentages, were:

• Driveway parking: 37.9 percent
• Open garage doors: 37.2 percent
• Motor homes staying over 24 hours: 32.5 percent

I think the question is complicated by the overlapping functions of CC&R enforcement and those things which normally would be covered by law enforcement - speeding, trespassing, "keeping the peace" (disturbances) and the like - which for want of real law enforcement we may have to deal with by Rule.

It's also complicated by the fact that we've got one vocal faction who want a lot of enforcement and another vocal faction who don't, but no clear measurement of where the large non-blogging, non-meeting-addressing majority comes down on that. Karen's poll on doing away with warnings showed a pretty strong trend. An informal poll here on whether to seek more powers for CSD officers also showed a fairly strong trend favoring status quo.

But perhaps the only way to get a really reliable sense of where the members stand is to send some questions to every single one, as CSD did.

Maybe a stuffer to include with the annual meeting materials? I don't think it would break any rules if people returned an informal survey sheet in the envelope with their ballot. Heck, the opportunity to express an opinion and not just cast a vote for directors may help with turnout!

[hautemomma]

We also seem to have different needs, south versus north. Maybe we could include which side of the river we live on too? If RMA is serious about reading our responses, it might help to know where specific issues lie.

[Wilbur]

That's a very good idea. Some problems, some priorities and some expectations may well vary on the two sides of the river. We included a "where you live" choice in the CSD survey precisely so that any such trends would pop up.