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Post by loveourhome on Sept 21, 2008 21:11:24 GMT -8
Does anyone have details on the robbery that was around last Friday? I understand that it was in the San Gabriel Tribune? I believe it is time for a guard (real guard) at the gate!!! My mail was stolen (year ago Jan) another neighbor's was taken last Sept and I know of a robbery about 3 weeks ago. Please post your name and address for yes or no. I understand that the board wanted to put a guard in the front but some moron gave them an estimate of $250,000 to build the "shack" and they believed this price. Our homes did not cost $250,000 to build and we have kitchens and 3 baths and 3,000 or so sq feet!!!! We will get real estimates for the "shack" and get prices from ADP etc. Please note: you don't have to have a restroom as the guard company will come and "break" the guard that should drop the cost from $250,000 to maybe $10,000. We are talking a large dollhouse with heat and air. Companies getting estimates like these are exacly what is wrong with our economy. "Estimates" that have no basis in reality just drives inflation to the point where no one can afford a house, etc. Use some common sense please.
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Post by 1gdwireman on Sept 22, 2008 15:30:10 GMT -8
Yeah it's time for a real guard and real security. I havnt spoken to them but they live a couple houses down the street from me. The article is in the Pasadena Star News under the title"Trail of violent crime may be work of one man"
If you read this, it really seems like it was a random act, my neighbor just happened to be leaving for work like we all do everyday. Given that, if we had a guard at the gate....would this have been prevented? How did he get in..a ride? License plate? How about cameras in the entry and exit? Anybody pay attention to the newspaper delivery people?
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Post by 29Mossdale on Sept 22, 2008 16:55:20 GMT -8
The crime was a carjacking that morphed into an armed robbery. I don’t think it is appropriate to place any details on this blog site, but additional facts are available on the Azusa police web site, and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune web site. For the Azusa police web site, got to the City of Azusa’s website, select Police from the Departments drop down menu, and select Press Releases. www.ci.azusa.ca.usThe San Gabriel Valley Tribune has an article about a suspect suspected of multiple crimes on Friday. The crimes occurred in Azusa, Arcadia, El Monte, and possibly Rosemead. Also, the Tribune has a composite sketch of the suspect www.sgvtribune.com/crime/ci_10513891In regards to a guard at the front gate, I have mixed views on this subject. I do think any proposal should be brought to the community for a vote, instead of our board members deciding, and I also think our association should allow any homeowner to be involved with putting the proposal together. But, unless we are prepared to stop every vehicle coming into and out of Mountain Cove, plus stopping anyone walking into and out of the Cove, guards and check in/out points will only serve as a deterrent. I have not noticed our nightly parking patrols being a deterrent to preventing robberies that have occurred in our Cove this summer. One the other side, what is the incremental cost for upgrading from a nightly parking patrol to a 24 hour patrol? The question for me is what is the deterrent worth, how effective is it, and at what cost? It is just not the monetary cost, but other costs that concern me. Would it turn our cove into a security camp? Would it hamper response time from our local law and fire services? Would it cause an incentive for less frequent patrols from our local law enforcement? Would it jeopardize safety, because homeowners called the guards when they should have contacted our local emergency services? Would it create a liability for each homeowner? And etc? The last thing I want is to turn our cove perimeter into something looking like our pool perimeter. I may be a skeptic, but I do think it is a good idea to look into it, put a proposal or proposals together, and ask the association board to put it to a homeowner vote. Instead of posting names and addresses, we should reserve the Lodge for a meeting to discuss this further, advertise the meeting, and see how many homeowners show up. |
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Post by 1gdwireman on Sept 22, 2008 18:11:08 GMT -8
I don't really see how a guard would turn this into camp mountain cove.
There are many associations that have a guard post and guard. The parking security is just that parking security. With no real authority to stop or detain not to mention random. I think we can all agree that wether this guy came in with the intent to carjack or morphed it into a robbery...his intent was real clear. When I left my house this morning at 4:00 a.m., I couldnt help but feel kinda creepy. The gate situation we have now is and has always been a false sense of security for most people here.
As far as the guard slowing down emergency vehicles, I'm quite sure a guard wouldnt try to stop a vehicle with flashing lights. I think it might speed it up actually. He can have a gate controller in hand. This way the cops or firefighters don't have to exit their vehicles to use their emergency key to open the gate like they do now. If you notice when entering, there's a red and a blue switch at the middle of the right hand column
Everyone knows to dial 911 and not the guard, but if we need to send out a memo in the newsletter as a reminder, how hard is that.
I would like to note that this family was very fortunate that the situation did not escalate into a fatality or multiple fatalities. Too many times you hear about a robbery gone wrong. This guy was daring, blatant, and dangerous and who really knows if he found the cove an easy target.
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Post by 29Mossdale on Sept 22, 2008 19:17:10 GMT -8
A couple of guards and a couple of guard shacks would not have deterred or prevented this unfortunate occurrence, or future occurrences. All it provides is just more of a false sense of security for us, which, in my opinion, is more dangerous than what we currently have.
As I understand the original posting, the security proposal is to prevent or stop crime at Mountain Cove. How can we accomplish that without turning our community into either an armed or highly surveillance compound?
We are discussing more than a couple of guards and a couple of shacks. It looks to me at least security cameras, recorders for the cameras, additional guards for patrols, etc.
As I mentioned in my earlier posting, I’m skeptical that the value of having guards and guard shacks will be worth the price we will pay. However, I do believe that it is a community choice, and being a community choice, any proposal should be put together by any homeowner who wants to be involved, and it should be voted by the homeowners.
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Post by MossdaleResident on Sept 24, 2008 17:56:49 GMT -8
A guard shack or 24 hour patrol would be a good idea but I agree that it will act as a deterrent or slow down the entrance of Mountain Cove residents. At first my opinion was great, we need this desperately when you consider that people wait around by the gate until someone comes by and opens the gate so that they can trickle in behind them. But after putting more though into it I wonder how much more, if any, would be the monetary increase be to our current HOA fees.
The current security/patrol guard should be able to do this if he would only patrol the neighborhood like he is supposed to. I do not mean to down talk him or insult him in any way. But he is not patrolling the community like he is supposed to. Currently I have seen him patrol at about 10 pm.[which i believe is when he starts] and then again at 1 am and from then on i have no idea. But between 10 and 1 is a a four hour gap in which something could happen. In addition to this I live next to a "frat" house and he has driven by multiple times when these kids are partying, making noise, and drinking on the street and he has not done anything or even cited the 10 - 15 cars that are parked up and down Brookside. I understand that when you are in College you want to have fun but their idea of fun is partying till 4- 5 in the morning with loud music and a variance of people in our community.
This issue needs to be raised at the next Board meeting and so that homeowners and board members can come up with a unified solution to the problem that we are currently experiencing.
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Post by Bill on Sept 24, 2008 19:17:02 GMT -8
and I also think our association should allow any homeowner to be involved with putting the proposal together. The ironic thing about this is that the board meetings are usually only attended by a few souls - most of them regular attendees. When I've attended, the board has and does accept comments, suggestions, proposals, etc. and would probably welcome HOA member help. Although, they are here to serve the membership of the HOA - so, with enough prodding, they should be convinced to look into some alternatives for increased security. Some ideas: I wonder if a 24 hour guard is necessary. What would be the cost of a part-time / flex-time guard, that was posted at the gate at high traffic times and other key "vulnerable" times? Perhaps even if they sat there with a clipboard and wrote down license plate numbers - not necessarily denying or admitting anyone access - that would be enough to deter most, but obviously not all of those who want to do our neighborhood harm. Second thought is ... put in video surveillance focused on pathways and roads (not on homes) leading into and around the perimeter of the neighborhood. Third thought is - increase patrols during winter hours to the darker early morning hours. Maybe a combination of some these things and others is in order. |
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Post by MossdaleResident on Sept 25, 2008 10:45:18 GMT -8
I received an e-mail from the Mtncove editor indicating that the suspecrt has been apprehened? Does anyone have any more information on this. Also it says it was an isolated incident. This is being sent on behalf of editor@mtncove.comas part of the mailing list that you joined. List: MountainCoveURL: mtncove.com------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Residents, In regards to the previous post from yesterday, I have now been told that the suspect who committed the crime has been apprehended and that the crime was an isolated incident. We actually have the lowest crime rate in the city. I was also told that the police do feel that the association should look into the possibility of getting surveillance cameras at the gates. They feel that it may be helpful if something else happens in the future. Have a wonderful day! Your neighbor, |
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Post by 1gdwireman on Sept 25, 2008 18:32:39 GMT -8
Well I'm glad to hear he was caught. The police recommend
cameras at the geat? What a great idea! But wouldnt that just be a deterrent?
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Post by loveourhome on Sept 25, 2008 20:24:02 GMT -8
Guys: Has anyone been in a really classy association that has a guard at a guard shack? I have, from Laguna to Indio. Classy! We are talking security with class. And yes every realtor will agree that home values will increase and make our cove even more unique so perhaps with a true security homes might sell or sell faster. The "guard" can't be everywhere so once a car comes thru, the game is over. He does not know who should be here at that point, anyone can jump the fence, have their way with your house, wait for that special guard to pass by and then leave, how bright would you have to be to outsmart the guard, K-6??? Bottom line, I'm tired of our mail being stolen, homes broken into and yes perhaps it would have kept the freak out the other day. Cameras at the gate would tell you after the offence who was here (maybe), it would not keep freaks out! The way it works is cars that have a tag on the car go thru, and yes the guards get to know you and wave you in, you don't slow down. Those cars that don't belong, yes have to stop and the home where they are going have either told the guard in advance or the guard calls the house. No answer, no entrance. Not rocket science, but really effective. I lived in a gated community and had total comfort in walking around the complex as all cars belonged there, period. It would also keep out pool jumpers and maybe we can remove the sheppards polls and make it look beautiful again, it use to be so pretty.
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Post by seanlee768 on Sept 25, 2008 20:30:51 GMT -8
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Post by seanlee768 on Sept 25, 2008 20:38:28 GMT -8
oh well after my house got broke into twice in one month. i have put in a few cameras outside of my house and increase the security inside of the house as well. that seems to work a little better right now for me.
however, i think stuffs gets stolen from the house are pretty muhc done by young kids in the nieghborhood, but strong arm robbery is a totally different ball game here. i currently have 24 hours guard (not armed) in my work place. we are spending around 7000-9000 per month.
sean
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Post by 1gdwireman on Sept 26, 2008 16:37:04 GMT -8
loveourhome,
I have to agree with you 110%. I think people have this impression that we are asking for security roving our perimeter with M16's. Like you said it's not that complicated or rocket science. I can understand some of the concerns about image, but on the flipside, I think it probably would be a selling feature. Any real estate agents care to comment? I disagree with the idea that a security post is only a deterrent, would probably not work or prevent such crimes.
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Post by loveourhome on Oct 9, 2008 22:11:51 GMT -8
How would a guard and shack not be a deterrent? If you keep out people who are not suspose to be here, who is left, a guest? verified repair people? Unless your guest is robbing you or Sears is now moonlighting as thieves, who would be in here to rob you?
Yes, if it is your neighbor, you are f***** anyway.
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