Is your Association simply a business enterprise . . . or is it a community?  Of course, it’s both. So along with news of important financial decisions, your Co-op, Condo, or HOA Board would do well to share ideas that will enhance the community’s sense of well-being.

One valuable and welcome activity – very appropriate as we “open up” after pandemic shut-downs -- is a review of resident safety and security.

Consider holding a virtual or face-to face meeting. Use the questions in this article as starters. Of course, you may need to adjust the questions and answers to fit your property. But the safety and security review will reassure residents that they are being heard. And the Board will have the chance to remind residents where the responsibility for safety and security lies.

----- Questions for Residents -----

1. “Do you feel secure in our building? Where do you think security might be improved?”

Answers to this question usually revolve around three areas: entrances (for people and vehicles), elevators or stairs, and lighting. You’ll want to address concerns immediately! You may want to get a professional assessment.

Recommendations may take the form of better signage, more lighting (particularly in parking areas), physical barriers, mirrors at corners and in elevators, motion-activated or always-on security systems, or even paid security personnel.

Naturally, some improvements may be too expensive to be feasible.  The important thing is to respond and document your responses. Your Board will earn confidence at the same time that it meets its fiduciary responsibility.

2. “What have you done regarding security for your own residence?”

Association rules may address some of what individual owners must and can do with regards to customizing their units. But circumstances change. Risks may have changed, and technology certainly has. Keep both in mind as you discuss safety.

·      Unit door locks.  Whether residents are responsible for their own doors or whether all doors must be identical, security these days requires both a deadbolt and a peephole.

·      Balcony security. Don’t forget locks on exterior windows and balcony doors, even if the unit is above street level. Sliding glass doors are particularly vulnerable. Consider a security bar. Note that some bars can be locked in place to keep children from removing them.

·      Security system. If residents are concerned about strangers at their door, they may want to consider installing a personal security system. Everyone has seen commercials for the simple doorbell video systems. Options include alarm only, video monitored by First Responders, audio, etc. Are home systems allowed?

3. “Are you prepared for fire?”

The Board may want to invite the local fire department to address fire safety. Firefighters will know local code requirements and probably full details of your building and its vulnerabilities.  

·      Do residents know how to call the fire department?

·      Does the building have a sprinkler system?  

·      Do all units have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors? Remind residents to test and replace expired units.  

·      Do all units have a fire extinguisher? More than one? Can children or someone in a wheelchair reach them? Does everyone know how to operate the extinguisher?

·      Can everyone get out of the home safely? A good family plan includes two ways to get out, plus a place for family to reassemble after evacuating.

4. “Do you have insurance? Do you know what it covers?”

Coverages and premium costs are changing as insurance companies experience more claims. Installing some of the security devices mentioned here may reduce premiums. Review the Association’s master policy and encourage residents to review individual unit policies.

5. “Do you know your neighbors?”

Neighbors will be the best source of help in an emergency! Moreover, working as a group may add buying power and enable sharing of resources.

Ultimately, building community is an essential role for a condominium Board. A Safety and Security Review can be a step in meeting that goal.

Author Virginia Nicols has been on many boards and is currently serving her HOA in Southern California. There, her particular interest is in raising awareness about emergency preparedness and disaster survival. She wrote this short article about safety and security specifically for The Folson Group; you can find many more articles and excerpts from her books at Emergency Plan Guide.

If your building requires increased security or you need alternative bids, The Folson Group provides cost-saving construction contract administrative services that can save you up to 40% on the cost of your project. Email us at info@thefolsongroup.com or call us at (917) 648-8154 to find out more.