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Hot Topics
Security Service - 11/28/10
As in years past, the Board is supplementing our usual security presence with additional guards during the holidays. Please greet these guards as they patrol and help them feel a connection to the property they are protecting!
Web Site Success - 10/17/10
This website appears to have been a successful addition to our community. Since the beginning of 2010, the site has averaged 110 unique visitors per month with over 330 average page views per month. April 2010 was our highest month with 161 unique visitors and 497 different page views. Glad that we can provide this service!
Surveillance System - 10/16/10
The video surveillance system continues to work successfully. Some cameras have been replaced, others repaired as we work to optimize the system. It has already resulted in multiple instances where video footage has been provided to the police for investigation. We also believe that the system has had a desired deterrent effect that can be witnessed by the reduced crime on property.
New Roofs - 10/16/10
New roofs will be placed on building 35 and a second building in the coming weeks. Building materials will be placed around the complex and certain parking spaces will be unavailable.
Winter 2010 Hard Freeze - 2/5/2010
Many plants froze and some died during the weeklong hard freeze this year. The landscaping will be evaluated during the coming weeks and months to determine which plants survived and will come back and which will need replacement. Management has suggested cutting back plants like bananas to assist them in coming back quicker.
As soon as we have more of an update, we will let you know.
Surveillance Update - February 5, 2010
The video system is now fully operational! A few outstanding issues are being resolved by our new contractual provider, Johnson Controls, Inc ("JCI"). JCI is worldwide company with a long history of exceptional service. They will be servicing our warranty for the next five years and have been incredibly responsive during the handover from Quadsec.
Quadsec, despite rumors, has not entered bankruptcy. They decided to 'wind up' the business and have been resolving our issues as a part of doing so. At this time, they have completed enough that we have paid them for the system. However, because of their delay in providing the system, our Board negotiator was able to obtain a 6% reduction in the total cost of the system and was able to obtain additional credits of over $1200 related to other concerns. We have also held back 20% of the outstanding balance until JCI completes the remaining punch list items to make the system complete.
A recent home breakin occurred and the location of the unit was such that cameras in the nearby parking area captured two men carrying items to a nearby car and leaving rapidly. A full description of the car, including the entire license plate number was provided to the homeowner. Although we are uncertain if these men broke into the home, they were seen carrying items from the unit's area during the time of the incident.
Homeownership - October 17, 2009
Resident Frank Pugliese was recently instrumental in obtaining an updated count of on-property resident homeowners vs. rental units. With Frank's persistence, enough individuals have indicated that they are on property to raise the owner occupancy rate above 50% (perhaps for the first time ever in the complex).
It appears that the current figure is between 54 and 55%.
This is of great importance because after we crossed the 50% threshold, units on property became eligible for FHA mortgages with substantially more attractive rates. Therefore, the value of the units has, conceivably, increased as a result.
The next time you see Frank, thank him for all of his hard work!
Surveillance & Security - October 17, 2009
Two recent incidents occurred. One was a mugging and the other was a car breakin.
The muggers' vehicle was captured by the ramp vehicle as it drove up, down and around the upper level of the parking garage. This incident appears to have been random. The muggers drove off of Newcastle onto the property and quickly idnetified a resident returning home, struck and left. They did not 'lie in wait' on the property and this appears to be the kind of incident that could happen in any urban area.
Video imagery has been provided to the police.
The vehicle was determined to be a stolen vehicle based upon the license plate information provided to the police.
The second incident occurred in the visitor parking lot immediately off of Newcastle (across from the store). It occurred at 2:09a on last Monday. Imagery was not helpful due to the fact that only a single camera covers the large lot and the car was parked at the far end of the lot. During last Spring's assessment of the camera placement, it was determined that visitor lots would not receive as extensive coverage as the assigned parking lots. That is why there is a single camera. Nevertheless, we have increased frame capture and resolution to improve performance as a result of this incident.
NOTE: The Board will NOT provide video imagery to any individual homeowner on a DVD or other media. DVD's are burned only for law enforcement. Upon request and scheduling with (an unpaid and volunteer) member of the video committee (Mark Deaton, Stan Hill, Gary Goodland), a homeowner may observe the video in the storage room. Requests may be made through Creative Management or through the Board request form on this website.
NOTE: We will be reducing the length of time that images are stored from one month down to one week. This will enable us to improve the resolution and frame capture rate of all 32 cameras. Therefore, it is imperative to contact the Board immediately if you need to see the video.
Lastly, the video system is not a means of policing our neighbors and is not intended to resolve inter-resident disputes. Negotiation between neighbors is paramount. If you are unable to resolve the dispute amicably, please seek assistance from the Houston Police Department. Creative Management remains your resource for resolution of deed restriction violations.
Surveillance & Security - Update August 1, 2009
QuadSec systems and its conduit subcontractor are currently installing the infrastructure for the system. We have moved a sidewalk camera to further cover the upper level of the parking garage. Once operational in mid August, the system will capture images on fixed focal length cameras in high quality video. Deterence oriented signs will be placed around the community once the system is in place and visible to criminals. Placement of the signs earlier than that would defeat their deterent effect.
Some recent questions:
Why are the cameras placed so low? Can't people reach out and mess with or damage them?
In considering camera placement, the angle of the shot is important. If the cameras are placed at higher levels, they shoot down and capture only a) the tops of people's heads or b) the roof of the carports. For this reason, the placement must be lower in order to accomplish the desired goal. Additionally, the cameras are impact resistant, although not impact proof. If someone damages the camera, we will have imagery of them actually doing it when it occurs.
Will someone be actively monitoring the system?
No. As previously discussed, the system is designed to deter and to provide later documentary evidence for prosecution of criminal acts. There is no live monitoring.
If the system is attached to the Internet, can't I monitor the system to provide more security for the greater community?
While this sounds like a great idea, there are three primary reasons it is not possible. First, if our residents can monitor it, so can criminals. They would discover what angles the cameras actually captured and where there are blank spaces. That would be bad. Second, hackers look for precisely this kind of website imagery to attack and sell to other criminals. And third, there are constitutional privacy issues with residents monitoring other residents, especially given the pool area cameras, which outweigh the benefits. For more security information, including details of the overall system, see the June post lower on this page.
Fire Hoses - August 2009
This issue impacts a limited number of homeowners who have patios adjacent to their units and have a firehose on the patio.
The City of Houston recently came out on a resident request and found that the common practice of residents with patios to lock their gates was a violation of the fire code if the resident had a firehose on the patio. Despite lengthy negotiations, the City has been unyeilding. Residents must remove the lock or the association will rebuild the fence to permit unobstructed access to the hose. The Board has been working with homeowners on the best ways to assist in meeting the City's requirements.
Pool Safety and Use - August 2009
New Signage around the pool will more clearly indicate the closing time of 10:00pm and the fact that glass bottles or other glass containers are not permitted. There has been a lot of afterhours pool use that has impacted pool neighbors. This is an effort to curb this issue. Additionally, the pool rules signs are bring updated and replaced.
Surveillance & Security - June 2009
The Board of Directors approved purchase of a 32 camera video surveillance recording system from vendor QuadSec at the June 2009 meeting. Cameras will primarily be focused on assigned parking areas, however, a camera will also be deployed in each of the visitor parking areas. There will be five license plate reading cameras out of the 32 camera interspersed at pinch-point locations where cars must pass. Cameras will also monitor both pool areas and select pedestrian walkways. ALL cameras will be active, none will be mock/false cameras. Installation begins the week of June 15, possibly on Thursday.
Cameras will be placed in such a way that perpetrators will have to pass at least one camera, and possibly more when passing the periphery of the property.
Cameras will NOT be actively monitored but all images will be recorded and archived on hard drives. The hard drives will hold 30 days worth of images. Video images can be quickly burned to DVD for use by the HPD as necessary in a criminal investigation. If there is an incident, upon request, the assigned video resident team will act to retrieve the images for any victims.
Limits of the System
We have a 9 acre property. We cannot install cameras in hallways of individual buildings, nor can we monitor pedestrian traffic throughout the property. However, because of our placement of cameras and the time coding of the system, when a security event occurs we will be able to view all the cameras and extrapolate out to identify the perpetrators when they pass a camera. Our 32 camera system costs $84,000. Coverage of all interior hallways or pedestrian walkways is cost prohibitive. The 32 camera system is an increase over all the initial proposals that were made to the Board. We are committed to spending adequate resources to achieve a more secure property.
Purpose of the System
The system is NOT designed to fight crime. There is not a security guard scanning the monitors at all time who will provide rescue and interception in the case of an active crime.
Crime Prosecution is First Purpose of the System. By providing victimized residents with video image documentation of alleged perpetrators, we hope to assist prosecution of any criminals targeting our community.
Deterrence is the Second Purpose of the System. Notice of our video surveillance system purblished through prominent signage at all entrance areas of the property may serve to deter criminal activity and to encourage any recurring perpetrators to move on.
Note: Legal Privacy concerns prohibit making all cameras available for active monitoring over the internet by residents.
We recognize Security is residents' number one concern and are committed to responding to this quickly.
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New August 2009-
Outgoing Mailboxes On Site!!!
The association has placed three outgoing mailboxes so residents can send out their mail from the property. They are located next to the mailboxes in buildings 4633 and 4641. These are the two buildings that front onto the small visitor parking lots that are on Wild Indigo. The third is halfway down the back walkway that lines the garage.
Pet Pickup and Dog Leashes
The Board of Directors recognizes that all owners and renters want to maintain the value of their homes during this economic downturn. While home prices have fallen around town, Newcastle condos remain a strong smart investment. Our grounds and livability are important elements in the value of our property.
Leashes
While many residents have been great about compliance, the Board continues to receive reports of other dogs being walked off leash. Many of these dogs are gentle and obedient. They are ‘good neighbors’ in our community. We recognize this. However, the rules apply to all dogs, not just some. Unfortunately, we are unable to pick and choose which rules apply and which don’t to some people and not others. The leash requirement is a Houston city ordinance, and, additionally, a regulation of the community.
Leashes, no matter how kind, sweet, and obedient the dog, are mandatory. The Board will enforce them.
Pet Waste Stations
The Board has taken initiative to purchase 4 Pet Waste Stations that are being installed at strategic places around the property. These stations provide pickup bags for dog waste and a secure, odor-containing receptacle for immediate disposal of these filled bags. Users are encouraged to tie off the bag before dropping it in the container to further contain odor. These stations will be emptied daily by our ground staff.
The problem of pet waste on the grassy areas and, most troubling, on sidewalks diminishes the value of our homes. The few dog owners who continue to allow their pets to defecate on the sidewalks anger and disrupt those who unwittingly step in this mess. The Pet Stations represent action on the Board’s part to curb these occurrences. As these individuals are identified, they will be fined. We encourage them to use these new Pet Stations to immediately resolve this issue.
Our regulations indicate that dog owners pick up waste on the sidewalks and in the grassy areas. Dog waste in the bushy undergrowth which is not visible is not the focus of the Board’s actions. Please use the Pet Stations to increase the value of our property and maintain a beautiful landscape for all, pet owners and non-pet owners alike.
Deed Restrictions & Rules Enforcement
June 2009
The Board recognizes concerns of many residents that Rules may appear to have been enforced inconsistently in the past. Additionally, the perception exists that some Board members are primarily responsible for these Rule Enforcement actions.
In an effort to ensure consistent unbiased enforcement of the Rules, the Board has approved an "Unbiased Anonymous Third Party Reporting Program". Through Creative Management, the Board will contract for an unbiased non-resident to walk the property once a month and generate a list of issues that are not consistent with the Rules as provided to the walker. That list will be provided to the Board and Property Manager Jim Miller. The Board will take actions based on these unbiased recommendations.
The Board will continue to also take actions on written complaints filed with Creative Managment or filed through the new Board Contact Form found on the "Board Business" page of our website.
We hope this marginal cost program will provide confidence in the residents that Rules are being consistently enforced.
