Hello neighbors

Community Website- We have a new website and community discussion forum with regularly updated content. If you have not already done so, please register for the forum. Please visit:  http://www.scofieldfarms.org

The scofieldfarms.org website is the official electronic communication channel from your Residential Owners Association (ROA) to you.

Private security patrol- As most of you know from past communications, the ROA board initiated a pilot project in July 2011 using a security patrol company (ProSecurity) to patrol our neighborhood at varying times through the week. We have just completed reviewing the neighborhood crime statistics from the APD website for the corresponding 6 month periods in 2010 and 2011 and concluded there is little justification to continue this service. Thus we have terminated this contract with the last patrols to take place over the next few weeks.

The ROA Board continues to believe that security in our neighborhood is a major priority.  If you see suspicious behavior in the neighborhood please call 911 immediately!

Current ROA security recommendations and initiatives:

1) Secure your home- First and foremost each of us needs to take the initiative to make our own home more secure by taking some or all of the actions recommended below:

a) Activate your alarm system and use it! Pay extra to install glass break sensors near vulnerable areas

b) Keep your garage doors closed

c) If you buy expensive electronics don’t leave the box sitting on the curb to advertise your new purchase

d) Install double-barreled deadbolts so someone can’t break the glass and reach in and unlock the door

e) Replace the small door latch plate screws with 3″ framing screws so your door can’t be easily kicked in

f) Leave 1-2 lights on outside. With highly efficient bulbs and $5 light sensors that screw right into the light socket available there is no reason not to do this
g) Use timers to turn interior lights on and off lights for chosen periods of the day and night
h) Install 2-3 motion sensor flood lights around your home

i) Padlock your fence gates if possible

j) Don’t leave valuables in your car and especially not in plain sight
k) Don’t park your car on the street. Park in your garage if possible or driveway at the very least
l) Lock your car
m) Be alert and don’t ignore suspicious activity

2) Security Alerts- The List Server is not adequate to quickly disseminate security related alerts. A group of concerned neighbors researched options and then created Scofield Farms (SF) Instant communicator - Nothing beats having the neighborhood’s eyes looking out for each other and having the ability to instantly send and receive alerts. SF Instant Communicator works by sending and receiving text messages. Please see the following link for more information and how to sign up: http://www.scofieldfarms.org/forum/general-infofrequently-asked-questions-faq/sf-instant-communicator-policy-and-rules/#p37

3) Entrance cameras- The ROA board has initiated a feasibility study to determine the costs and technical/regulatory challenges associated with operation of entrance cameras. Obviously a camera does not stop a crime in progress but may be a major deterrent if criminals perceive a greater risk of being caught.  Clearly we would need good signage to alert the thieves of their increased risk in our neighborhood. One of our residents, Ryan Hoke, has taken the lead for the ROA’s feasibility study.  Individuals interested in helping with this study should contact Ryan at ryanehoke@gmail.com.  Having cameras will not reduce the need for each of us to act on the measures 1 and 2 noted above which are immediate benefit and lot of bang for the buck.

Summary: We must continue our shared responsibilities to maintain a safe and secure neighborhood please: a) secure your home and cars as noted above, b) please immediately report suspicious behavior to 911 and c) please sign up for the instant communicator noted above to receive instant text messages limited to immediate security observations.