Crime is a legitimate concern in our schools, social venues, workplaces and neighborhoods. Real or perceived, the threat of crime—from petty theft to physical violence—creates apprehension, fear and even paranoia.
Crimes occur in cities, suburban neighborhoods, small towns and rural communities. No neighborhood, including gated homeowners associations and high-end condominium communities, is immune. Crime finds victims in the very best of neighborhoods. For community association leaders and residents, the vital question is: What should—and shouldn’t—elected boards and their managers do in response to heightened resident concerns?
There are a number of steps an elected community association board can take,* but community association experts agree on one thing: Association boards should proceed carefully before they decide to create, manage or formally endorse a neighborhood watch program. In fact, most association experts believe watch programs should be organized and managed by residents independent of the association. It’s one thing for an association board to support a watch program; it’s quite another for the board to assume responsibility for the activity.
Boards considering this issue need to ask three fundamental questions:
* What is the extent of the association’s powers under its governing documents?
* Does the association have the authority to establish a community watch?
* What are the legal and ethical liabilities of an association-sponsored watch program?
These questions should be answered—definitively—before board members or residents take formal action to establish or support a watch program. If a decision to move forward is made, leaders of the program should:
* Contact the local police department for start-up support and guidance. Volunteers who skip this critical step can find themselves on the wrong side of the law—or worse.
* Seek the advice of an attorney with expertise in community association law.
* Obtain the input of an insurance professional with community association experience.
* Create a process for recruiting only responsible volunteers who will follow all procedures.
* Develop methods (e.g., websites and e-mail) to keep volunteers and residents informed.
* Continuously reinforce all procedures—including the do-not-engage rule for resident volunteers.
*Steps community association boards can take to enhance security include providing safety guidance to residents; creating phone trees or text and e-mail alerts; inviting law enforcement authorities to speak to residents about home security; installing adequate common-area lighting; incorporating safety and security into landscape design; upgrading locks and gate access; and hiring trained personnel to staff community entrance gates.