On-Site HOA Security Inspections
by SecurityNet Security Consultants
Basic on-site security inspections seek answers to questions
like these:
- What are the condo HOA's security
exposures and vulnerabilities?
- Is there a Neighborhood Watch Program?
(If not, a proactive HOA will think about starting one.)
- Are residents in the complex trustworthy
neighbors who watch out for each other?
- Is there control over who enters
and leaves the building or association property?
- Are fire stairs locked from the
outside so that residents can exit but others cannot enter?
- Are entry doors solid core and installed
with deadbolts and eyeholes?
- Are door strike-plates secured with
3" screws to prevent being kicked or forced open?
- Are door jambs constructed with
solid wood and free of any rot, breaks, cracks or other damage?
- Do all windows, including those
on the second floor, close properly and are they equipped with
locks?
- Are sliding door locks intact? Do
they have more than one lock to prevent lifting the doors out
of their tracks?
- Are locks re-keyed and not moved
to another unit or amenity building? (This is more broadly relevant
to a rental community than to ownership units. But it is one
that prospective owners or occupants of any residential unit
should consider.)
- Are all keys for common area facilities
closely controlled and accounted for?
- Are mailboxes and public areas well
lighted and equipped with good locks?
- Are the exterior areas of the condo
complex well lighted? Good illumination should be the norm at
all entrances and nearby dark areas, including open parking
areas and garages.
- Are the carport and living unit
numbers set up so that they do not match thus making it more
difficult to determine who is not home.
- Is the property well maintained?
Are burnt-out light bulbs replaced promptly, landscaping maintained,
and graffiti removed immediately?
- Are shrubs and other landscaping
trimmed to remove hiding places for an intruder?
- Are there customized Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) to minimize security risks? Are they good?
Are they still comprehensive? Are they up to date?
- Are the SOPs actually followed?
Regular, systematic supervision is ALWAYS required and is usually
a weak link.
A skilled expert will typically see at least a few serious problems
that owners would never notice. He or she should inspect the
grounds, common areas, and at least two typical units. Sensitive
interviews of a sample of owners, tenants, and nearby neighbors
are helpful. Observing daily routines (day, night, weekends,
even holidays), something smart criminals do by the way, with
a practiced eye is another standard practice. An expert consultant
will, within a relatively short period of time, understand how
the community functions and what its critical security issues
are.
Click below for information on other aspects of condominium
HOA Security:
Neighborhood
watch for condo HOAs
Professional
security assessments for condo HOAs
Why use a professional security consultant ... or not?
Back from On-site Security
Inspections to Condo HOA Security
Professional Assistance
SecurityNet is very experienced at improving condominium HOA,
apartment, and senior citizen community security. We would be
happy to answer general questions by directors, owners, or managers
at no charge and to discuss options for obtaining expert solutions
to specific security challenges. Please feel free to contact
us at
(415)392-1810 or by email at
carlisle1@securitynet.com.