Are Neighbors The Best Form Of Security In Your Homeowner Association?

Homeowners all over the country think that automated systems are the answer to their security problems.  Often, they believe the security systems that are promoted on a homeowner association website can keep intruders at bay, but that isn’t necessarily true.

While security systems are effective, every new resident is encouraged to deepen their ties with neighbors since there might be times when criminal or suspicious activity goes undetected.  However, it takes time to build lasting relationships with neighbors if you expect them to watch your home.

 

Few other activities can built trust quite like a homeowner association gathering.  Some people avoid them because they sound like an inconvenience.  But, community cookouts and other gatherings are the perfect time to socialize with your neighbors.  These events help erase suspicion so residents gain a closer familiarity with one another.  It is this same familiarity that leads neighbors to watching one another’s homes and raise an alarm once they suspect criminal behavior.

 

Before you establish a security net around your home using your neighbors, you must first gain a clear understanding of the routines and habits in the homeowner association.  Every homeowner association website encourages new residents to participate in activities of the community, such as attending homeowner association meetings and using the park and pool.  By learning these routines and habits, it becomes much easier to identify suspicious activity.

 

If you don’t rely on the trust and goodwill between you and your neighbors to ensure your home is protected, suggest to the association that they create a neighborhood watch.  Some homeowners never trust such entities because they consist of individuals that have little to no law enforcement training.  Nonetheless, the best homeowner associations normally coordinate with local police to confirm that neighborhood watch has all the information and resources it needs to keep the community safe!