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In case you haven't noticed lately, the amount of vandalism throughout MV has skyrocketed. Cars are being broken into, keyed, and even drenched in oil based paint. Oh and how could I forget that I come across new graffiti on a weekly basis. The bottom line is that we need to put a stop to it A.S.A.P.
In case you missed the January Association meeting, Vandalism seemed to be at the top of members concerns. We heard countless victim stories, my wife and I being one of them. If you haven't been a victim yet you're one of the few, that's how bad it's getting. At the meeting the board tried its best to address the issue. Many members asked about hiring a security guard, and were shocked to find out the in fact we do have a security guard named Carol. I have yet to meet her. In disgust members voiced that a security guard just wasn't cutting it and I agree.
So how do we solve this problem? MINIMIZE? PREVENT? STOP?
Two ideas came to mind; the first being closing off the property with gates. Bam! Problem solved right, WRONG, not going to happen. Heres why: The city of Santa Ana requires at least a 60 foot clearance area on each driveway, and in order to do that we would need to reconstruct all driveways, eliminate some parking, months of construction, and it would cost upwards of $300,000. Yeah so that's out of the question. So what's the other idea, well this one is do-able, and I'd vote for it under certain circumstances, SECURITY CAMERAS. Although it would probably cost upwards of $30,000 for a sophisticated setup it would work to Minimize, Prevent and Prosecute those vandals, trash dumpers and even would be attackers or sexual predators. Having done some security work in my day, a security guard can be a hundred times more effective given cameras to monitor. With a decent setup that covered all parking areas, we could have the guard monitor the cameras, alert the police when there is a crime in progress and proceed to the location. If you have any other ideas please submit them here or attend our next association meeting on Feb. 20th, at 7pm.
Believe it or not, Santa Ana has a pretty decent graffiti clean-up program. The key is that it relies heavily on citizen participation to report incidents. Also, should you assist with the arresting of an individual who is defacing public/private property, the City of Santa Ana will mail you a check for $500! Just make sure you fill out the police report and you may also need to follow up to collect your check.
If you see graffiti happening, don't call 911. 911 can't help you and being dialed from a cell phone connects you to Highway Patrol.
Call Santa Ana Police @ (714) 834-4211.
Be ready with your location (cross streets and addresses help), a description of the person(s) committing the act including race, clothing type and color, and anything else such as spray paint color.
Read more about graffiti clean-up in Santa Ana here.
Read more about the Santa Ana Graffiti Reward Program here.
3 COMMENTS:
Security cameras sound like a good idea. However, I have NEVER seen a security guard around. I live near the Williams entrance & have not once seen a security guard. Maybe we should provide for one more security guard OR provide the guard with a golf cart type vehicle to go around the community.
Someone brought this up at the last association meeting but the board advised us that if we get another security guard it would probably just lead to them chatting with one another. Personally I think if we made it clear in their Post Orders, that they are not allowed to be chatting together unless conducting an investigation, then this would be a go. I still feel that security cameras are an immediate fix.
I agree how much do we spend on a anuual basis for the security guards. Honestly i myself have never seen one at all. I believe it would be wiser, cheaper, and more beneficial in the prosecution of these criminals and there activities by installing cameras. Hey maybe we can actually catch these people and prevent further headaches. Rather than trying to pay a useless security company who obviously does nothing. I have lived at numerouise apartments before and i have seen there security plenty of times and yet ive never seen ours come on fire her and get up to date with cameras. At least with those the maintenence would be a lot cheaper than a securitys salery whom can't even be in all places at once like a camera system can.
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