Board Security Update #1
Dear Residents
Recent burglary events in DSRV Resort has raised concerns about safety and security within our community. We all understand and empathize with how much of a violation it is to have someone enter your home and steal items. It affects the feeling of safety and security for us all, even if we weren't the individual targeted in a theft. It is an unfortunate fact that crime is part of our society and has the potential to affect any of us both here at DSRV Resort and in our home communities. It's also not unique to our resort, as we have visited with other resorts in the area and even those with full-time security staff have had issues with burglaries.
Safety and Security is one of the key strategic areas that the Board and Resort Management are looking at in our Strategic Plan and we have an active task force currently engaged in a systematic review and consideration of potential options to improve our resident's safety and security. If individual members of our resort have a suggestion for this task force to consider, please document and send to our Resort Manager at resortmanager@desertshadowsrv.org and David can provide it as input to this task force. Additionally, the Resort Office has an incident report we would appreciate people filling out when a security event happens to help collect relevant information related to security issues within the Resort.
While the task force is examining options such as perimeter security, gate access, card keys, security cameras, neighborhood watch, etc. the reality is we can never guarantee any site's security. The best way to discourage burglary is to protect your individual properties with effective preventive measures. If a property has difficult to defeat locks, cameras, alarms and other security systems, most potential burglars will bypass and look for something easier.
David recently sent out an email with some information from Cathedral City Police worth repeating:
"Residents are encouraged to lock doors and sheds. Be alert and call the Police for any suspicious activity. It is critical to crime prevention and suppression that each individual resident takes steps to assist in the prevention of criminal activity. If you see anything out of the ordinary or something that seems out of place, please call Police. There are no "wasted" calls. Most importantly watch out for your neighbors and make sure everyone adopts the motto: "If you see something, say something. Call the Police."
We are a close and caring community that wants to help each other and that is part of what makes DSRV Resort special. So we ask you, please stay vigilant, secure your property and help our community stay safe.
The DSRV Resort HOA Board of Directors
Board Security Update #2
From: Desert Shadows RV Resort Owners Association
Date: March 28, 2021
Subject: Security Update #2
Dear Residents
This is the second of what will become an ongoing series of communications from your Board meant to provide you with the most current information on security violations within the resort and the actions that are being taken. As identified in our Resort's 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, we are determined through informed decisions and cost-effective investments to make tangible improvements to Resort Security.
Since you last heard from us on March 16th security violations have continued to occur. In terms of crimes against property there has been forced entry into two adjacent park models and one report of a stolen bicycle. While not yet reported to the Office, we believe two additional bikes were stolen. There have been no reports of crime against persons. In each successive update we will continue to provide the most current statistics. Please help us by continuing to ensure that the office is being notified of security violations so that we may accurately track the pattern and nature of violations over time. Our Resort Manager has been in contact with the Cathedral City Police Department and with other resorts in the area who report similar patterns of increased thefts.
Our Safety and Security Task Force was launched immediately after the January presentation of the Strategic Plan to Owners and has been actively engaged in a systematic review and consideration of potential options to improve resident safety and security. As options are identified discussions with vendors are beginning that allow us to determine the costs and potential benefits of each alternative. In successive updates you will hear back from us on various areas of specific focus. Three under active investigation are:
- Hardening the Perimeter (making it more difficult and improving detection of entry over exterior walls)
- Control of Gate Entry and Egress
- Owner Diligence (how might we help enable Owners to better protect their property).
The notion of enabling Owners is premised on the reality that achieving success will take all of us working together. How can the Resort help? For example, we are currently researching motion sensing light bulbs that can be installed directly into existing exterior light fixtures. By researching and recommending affordable and effective deterrents like lights, locks, cameras, alarms, and other security systems, we can help make every small step add up to a difference in how criminals see the vulnerability of our Resort. With today's technology these options are much more affordable than many people realize. Discussions are just underway with potential suppliers who may be prepared to give group discounts to Owners within our Resort.
Your Board understands that much of the work underway may not yield results in a timely enough way to address the current spike in break-ins and thefts, which frustrates all of us. We actively considered options such as a contract for security guards to temporarily address concerns. The reality is that security staff are a minimally effective solution in isolation from other long term security enhancements. Important to understand is that the funds required to undertake a short-term contract would quickly deplete the financial capacity of our Resort to implement long-term solutions. We continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to quickly reconsider options as warranted.
Security concerns are not new. They have risen periodically in our Resort for many years, and we are determined to take action that will make a permanent tangible difference.
Thank you,
Desert Shadows RV Resort HOA Board of Directors
Board Security Update #3
Hello all,
This is the third in a series of communications from the DSRV Board related Resort security.
April saw a significant reduction in break ins and theft of personal property from within park models and sheds; however, during the month there were several golf carts stolen. We must again stress the crucial role that continued diligence by Owners plays in ensuring personal property is kept in a secure manner. The golf carts thefts likely involved someone exiting the Resort through the back gate using an access card, as the gate does not automatically open at night.
The security assessment currently being conducted by of our Safety and Security Task Force (launched in January as part of implementation of the DSRV Strategic Plan) has progressed to the point where the DSRV Board, working closely with Resort Management, have now approved:
1. Planning and implementation of a new gate access control system. Targeted implementation is this summer. Entry and egress control through both front and side gates is weak and compromised. Our current technology is 35-years old and has little ability to track the status or use of the more than 1700 cards and additional unknown number of gate clickers that have been issued. The new gate access control system is based on Radio Frequency Identification or RFID which is modern, proven technology, will be easy to use and have greatly enhanced monitoring and control features. More information about the many benefits will be provided as we begin implementation. Funding will come from our Reserve Fund.
2 Funding for Resort Manager to hire night-time security services until the new access control system has been implemented. The Resort Manager has been authorized to employ contract security staff in the most effective approach he sees fit to respond to ongoing needs. This is viewed as a tactical solution to be revisited once the new access control system is in place. While not part of our 2021 budget, funding will come from our operating fund and is anticipated to result in a modest annual operating deficit.
3. Locking the back gate to prevent exit during the night-time hours. This is viewed as an interim solution until the new gate access system is in place.
There is no magic bullet that will solve all of our security challenges, however getting control of gate access is addressing a significant risk that we can do something about.
By next season, we plan to have this improved access system in place along with several other resort improvements we think you will be excited about.
Stay tuned and everyone have a great summer wherever you may be.
The DSRV Resort Board of Directors
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