Vigilant association management can help address the security requirements of all neighborhoods, especially non-gated communities. By creating awareness, developing programs and bringing neighbors together, management companies and homeowner association (HOA) boards have taken the necessary first step in recognizing crime happens everywhere. No community, regardless of location, is immune. Learn more about Association Management by visiting http://www.AssociatedAsset.com/.

1. Association Management
Improves Security in Non-Gated
Communities

2. Association Management
 Vigilant association management can help address the security
requirements of all neighborhoods, especially non-gated
communities.
 By creating awareness, developing programs and bringing
neighbors together, management companies and homeowner
association (HOA) boards have taken the necessary first step in
recognizing crime happens everywhere.
 No community, regardless of location, is immune.
 Community association management companies can assist
HOA boards and members in protecting themselves and their
personal property.

3. Association Management
The community should never let its guard down.
• In some ways, a non-gated community may cause members to be more
watchful. Sometimes, gated communities create a false sense of
security among residents.
• Association management companies and board members need to
encourage the community never to take a laissez faire attitude when it
comes to security.
• Getting a gate code is pretty easy.
• Think about all the service personnel coming into and out of the
neighborhood – pizza deliveries, home repairs, housekeepers and more.
• Even if a security guard is present around the clock, preventing
unauthorized access isn’t guaranteed.
• Therefore everyone in the community needs to stay alert and report
any strange activity to law enforcement.

4. Association Management
Association management companies and HOA boards must stress good
homeowner and community security practices.
• Burglaries are common crimes in communities across the country.
• According to the National Crime Prevention Council, 60% of all
burglaries committed are done through unlocked doors and windows.
• Therefore homeowners must continually be reminded to lock all accesses
to their homes. In fact, some insurance companies may not cover losses
if the burglar broke in through an unlocked entry. This simple measure
can help prevent a potential crime.
• What about landscaping? Are common grounds landscaped carefully so
it would be difficult to hide an intruder? Have guidelines been developed
for homeowners so they can create landscaping with safety in mind?
• What about lighting? Same as with landscaping, both common grounds
and individual properties should consider lighting dark areas.

5. Association Management
Association management companies and HOA boards must stress good
homeowner and community security practices.
• The association management company can set up communication
vehicles so all members remain in the loop regarding community
security.
• A website and newsletter, for example, can keep homeowners up-to-date
on the latest best practices for safety.

6. Association Management
Association management companies and HOA boards should offer
homeowners advice on what to do when they’re on vacation.
• Leaving a home vacant for any length of time can make it a target for
burglars.
• However, homeowners can take some measures to thwart potential
break-ins while they’re away.
• Publishing suggestions can help reduce risk and put homeowners’ minds
at ease.
• For example, homeowners should use light timers and vary the light
locations during the night. They should not put “vacation holds” on any
deliveries, but have a neighbor pick up mail and deliveries instead.
• The association management and board can offer materials on a variety
of topics, including crime prevention and personal safety. They can also
refer members to educational sources.

7. Association Management
The association management company and HOA board may consider
surveillance and monitoring equipment, if economical.
• Costs for video and wireless technologies have been coming down
recently.
• As a result, this form of protection has become a viable option for many
non-gated communities.
• In addition to the HOA using it for the community, homeowners can buy
systems for their residences and watch surveillance footage on their
televisions.
• Security alarms are common systems today.
• Although they may be a lower priority for law enforcement’s
response, they can act as a deterrent.
• Anything that can give a homeowner an edge against crime should be
considered.

8. Association Management
The association management company and HOA board may consider
surveillance and monitoring equipment, if economical.
• Some of these systems offer medical alerts as well, a potentially life-
saving feature for elderly homeowners.
• Finally, a non-gated community may opt to hire a security company that
has guards patrol the neighborhood during regular intervals.
• These guards may be armed, unarmed or be accompanied by dogs.
• The HOA’s budget will determine what security measures are affordable.

9. Association Management
The association management company can help the community
establish a neighborhood watch program.
• Criminals certainly don’t want to have hundreds of eyes watching them.
• And that’s just what a watch program does.
• Neighborhood watch programs are cost effective ways to cut crime.
• They also help neighbors get to know each other so strangers will be
more easily identified.
• Law enforcement can be invited to community meetings to help provide
expertise.
• They can discuss security issues specific to a particular community, as
well as recommended solutions.

10. Association Management
 The absolute best way to prevent crime in any community is for
members to always be aware of what’s happening around them.
 Homeowners need to be proactive and never become lax about safety
issues.
 Association management companies and boards must continually
remind HOA members that crime has no boundaries and can happen
anywhere and to anyone.
 AAM works with many of the largest homebuilding and community
development companies in the United States such as Del
Webb/Pulte, Shea Homes and Meritage Homes.
 Founded in 1990, the company employs 370 people and manages over
400 communities in the United States.
 AAM is dedicated to delivering total peace of mind to the Boards of
Directors and homeowners in the communities it manages.

11. About the Author
Susan Williams is the Vice
President, Business Development and
Marketing at AAM Community Management, a
community management firm that does
business in Arizona, New Mexico and Florida.
Learn more about Association Management
by visiting http://www.AssociatedAsset.com.