Villages of Westcreek (drainage, resort, drivers)

[codeblue]

Originally Posted by USAF

Okay, here is the deal on the gazebo and I quote what is posted in the approved August minutes --- "Phase I & 2 of CC Landscaping, Design of Gazebo: Phase I completed. After some discussion a motion was made to place Phase 2 on hold at this time and instead focus will be placed on the Clock Tower. Board approved the motion 4-0."

Who do you believe ... The four members of the board who voted to put the project on "Hold" or the one member of the board who voted to put the project on "Hold" but told the homeowners that the project was "Scrubbed" even though she is on record of voting that the project be placed on "Hold"?

Is this confusing or what???? Let's try to figure out when this project got scrubbed

• At the August 20th Meeting the Board voted to put it on hold
• At the September 17th Meeting ... Well they voted to reschedule the meeting and then had the police officer escort us out of the building, therefore no vote could have been taken then
• So one would assume that they must have had another meeting between September 17th and September 20th and voted to "scrub" the project.
• But wait a minute if they had another meeting, would that have constituted an illegal meeting????

And they wonder why the homeowners get so mad!!!

Here is the link to the August Minutes!

USAF: thank you for your thoughts regarding the August Minutes. If any one is doubtfull of what is going on, just attend one of the Board Meetings and it will be very clear.


Thanks for posting the August Minutes.
Codeblue

[codeblue]

Originally Posted by SAAggiemom

We recently started a "Third Thursday" Town Hall meeting each month. It was initiated by one board member and numerous residents. It's a standing get together that everyone knows about. We've had a very positive response thus far.
We also recently formed a "Security Committee" headed by residents. The chair works for Homeland Security and many of the members have lots of experience in security. They are starting with the COPS program now and will be advising the board on security matters in the future. All was not peachy. Some of the board members were really against forming the committee. (feared losing power IMO) We got around it because the COPS program states on their website that COPS likes to be sanctioned by the HOA but can operate totally independent of the HOA.

SAAggiemom: Great ideas! I don't think we would be able to get the board to approve anything like that. We do not even get answers to our questions. I've offered suggestions on how to improve communications and like everyone else's concerns, it just falls into a big black hole.
The key is the President. Did he want to work with the residents?

Codeblue

[Bo]

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[codeblue]

TO ALL:

Has any one had any experience with HOA Management Companies?

Thanks,
Codeblue

[wellguy]

Originally Posted by Cerberus01

Let me see...there are approx 8760 hours in a calendar year x $10-$15.00 hr (ballpark figure)= $131,400 per year(approx) on the high end, and 87k on the low end. This doesn't count overtime and hidden overhead that might be built into a contract. Now comes the fun part...when working with private security contractors you have no idea who you might be dealing with. Security companies talk a good line citing employee background checks (criminal & financial)...but most of these checks are conducted locally and national checks cost $$ prompting companies to cut corners. This could go on ad nauseum.

Professional guard forces are found in the likes of the former Blackwater Corp, General Dynamics, GSA Federal Protective Services, and Dept of Energy contract guard services. Most local "security" companies can't come close to what I believe you want for Westcreek.

My question is why HOA members would be willing to place responsibility for their community safety and security in the hands of total strangers. They don't live here...thus they have no vested interest in this community save the paycheck they are working for.

If HOA members fear for their safety and security then they should get involved with their community...Neighborhood Watch or Cellular On Patrol programs if available. Its cheaper and usually more reliable than relying on strangers. Private security has no more authority than any private citizen when it comes to proposed security activities. Anyone can effect a citizens arrest...the same goes for private security...they can only effect a citizens arrest. This applies to either commissioned or non commissioned security. I personally don't relish the presence of marginally trained armed or unarmed "strangers" driving around my neighborhood.

Why pay for "eyes and ears" in the community when all we have to do is get off of our duffs and volunteer to do perform the same activities..."observe and report" suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Dept. After all ...volunteering to support your own community isn't rocket science

Cereberus

This is why you hire within. Those are the ones that have a vested interest.


On another note *I personally do not like the idea that our Community Manager does not live within Westcreek. I know we have qualified individuals that live here. I really don't care if you have all those letters after your name.

[Cerberus01]

I don’t think that I made my point very clear...and for this I apologize so I’ll try again. I don’t advocate anyone attempting to effect a citizen’s arrest and I did not imply that you should attempt to detain anyone. Legally you can’t do that. Such action is inherently dangerous and frankly quite stupid regardless of one’s background and experience (we agree on this point). My point regarding the term “citizen’s arrest” was to draw attention to the fact the security personnel can’t make arrests. There’s a misconception in some uninformed circles that “security” equates to law enforcement. Plain and simply stated …it isn’t. Security personnel aren’t duly constituted /commissioned law enforcement officers. Additionally, the legal protections extended to peace officers who enforce laws are not extended to “security officers”. This is intentional…the law doesn’t want uniformed “private citizens” acting like or conducting themselves in a manner that would lead other “private citizens” to think that they are police officers. Thus organized neighborhoods and community citizens groups who have been “trained” are just as capable of watching over their neighborhoods as any “security’ company.

These neighborhood crime prevention groups are not vigilantes. They are in fact friends and neighbors who share a common goal of helping local law enforcement maintain our safety and security. Again…they do this by acting as additional eyes and ears for law enforcement. Law enforcement can’t provide the level of safety and security many people seem to desire. Thus it’s incumbent upon every community member to take some responsibility for their own neighborhoods safety and security. If one chooses to withdraw behind locked doors and windows so be it. In crime prevention parlance this philosophy is referred to as adopting a “static” posture. It benefits no one other than the individual who views their action as fighting to protect themselves and reduce risk from harm. Your odds of being injured or killed in an auto crash are much greater than being a crime victim in your own home.

A “proactive” approach to neighborhood crime prevention has been shown to extremely successful. It’s been proven that communities who project high profile and visible anti-crime activities are in fact more successful in maintaining the safety and security of their own communities than the police. This is especially true when police resources and personnel are limited.

I don’t support the notion that we need “professional?” security wandering through our neighborhood. I do prefer the alternative approach that involves community members stepping up and taking on a little more responsibility for the safety and security of their families, friends and the community. Some community members have already taken on this additional responsibility. They have been trained by the Sheriff’s Dept to “observe and report” any and all suspicious activities in our communities. They are so committed to their purpose that they patrol in their own vehicles, furnish their own gas, purchase the Sheriff’s Dept COP placards for their vehicles, buy their own uniform shirts and id tags, and purchase the approved Sheriff’s Dept patch that identifies them as a member of the Sheriff’s Dept and Bexar County Cellular on Patrol unit (an extension of the Dept). They have under gone an extensive criminal background and financial investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Dept.( the Dept is particular as to who is going to be representing them). So why would we want to pay for what is perceived by some to be “professional” security …when this community service is already available and isn’t costing you a penny. It would seem that using an organized community volunteer organization would be a viable alternative to spending association funds to provide security. If people are concerned about their safety and security…then I encourage them to take on a little responsibility for their own safety and security and get involved with your community.

[wellguy]

There is no doubt that Resident's of VOWC are involved with safety and security. I feel confident that any resident who observes anthing suspicious does not hesitate to contact BCSD. That's the key, when they observe it. Most of us work ,whether it be a day or night shift. My wife is retired and usually home during the day but I would not expect any retiree, stay at home Mom or Dad to sit at the front window waiting for anything suspicious. The fact is BCSD Deputies are spread too thin and with the closing of the Sea World Substation response time will probably increase. COPS is a great alternative but I just don't think people have the time to devote.
If the VOWC would hire it's own Security Staff (my original suggestion) it would benefit us in more ways than one. Besides the Security Patrol why couldn't those same Officer's provide security at HOA Functions and Community Center Rentals?. I don't see why we have to pay off duty BCSD Deputies or Constables. If needed we would hire Commissioned Security Officers.
The presence of Security would be a great deterrent and there would be no need to go overboard with Security Staff. The Great Northwest has one to two patrols and any one given time and that's in a Community with over 4900 homes and a population of 22,000 plus.
By the way. I saw on their site a recent posting for a Securty Officer, starting pay was $9.00 /hour.

[JCDrupiewski]

Originally Posted by wellguy

There is no doubt that Resident's of VOWC are involved with safety and security. I feel confident that any resident who observes anthing suspicious does not hesitate to contact BCSD. That's the key, when they observe it. Most of us work ,whether it be a day or night shift. My wife is retired and usually home during the day but I would not expect any retiree, stay at home Mom or Dad to sit at the front window waiting for anything suspicious. The fact is BCSD Deputies are spread too thin and with the closing of the Sea World Substation response time will probably increase. COPS is a great alternative but I just don't think people have the time to devote.
If the VOWC would hire it's own Security Staff (my original suggestion) it would benefit us in more ways than one. Besides the Security Patrol why couldn't those same Officer's provide security at HOA Functions and Community Center Rentals?. I don't see why we have to pay off duty BCSD Deputies or Constables. If needed we would hire Commissioned Security Officers.
The presence of Security would be a great deterrent and there would be no need to go overboard with Security Staff. The Great Northwest has one to two patrols and any one given time and that's in a Community with over 4900 homes and a population of 22,000 plus.
By the way. I saw on their site a recent posting for a Securty Officer, starting pay was $9.00 /hour.

I agree with you, what this community needs is a real Deterrent to kids whose parents work or aren't aware. I raised 2 teenage grandsons for 3 years. You would not believe what I learned from my boys about alot of problems in West Creek & Stevens High School. My husband and I spend alot of time with NISD deputies learning the ropes of the troubled teens with-in our community.

[LUVDOGS3]

I have a question? Almost EVERY weekend these 2 homes with single service guys party and I mean they party hearty, till at least 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. These party animals live the next
street over from us and we can hear them like they are next door to us (their poor next door neighbors).
We were comming home from the store at about 10:00 p.m. and heard "another party" going on so
we drove over to have a look see. There must have been about 25 to 35 guys and dolls in the front yard
barbequeing, drinking with the music blaring with at least 15 cars parked up and down the street with saw horses placed all over for the guests to sit their "bums" on while they hollered at us as we passed and they drank and the music blared till I finally fell asleep at 3 a.m. this morning. I have called the authorities and I guess it doesn't make a difference as this has been going on since June.
Any suggestions?

[rd2007]

you can't fix stupid unfortunately. You'd think they would have some common sense and realize how rude they are, but obviously they don't.
Maybe you could get with the other neighbors and all have a talk with the people doing this? You said they're service guys? like military? if so, they should be double ashamed of themselves for the image they are presenting to the public. I would definitely report every car you see driving away as a drunk driver. Making their life miserable would probably be your best option.