Pool Security
Is there security at the pool? There were some kids jumping the wall from the community behind us and I told them they need to stop jumping because they were knocking rocks on the street and they took out a brick. Well all three had towels around their necks. I told them our pool was for our community, they said they had friends. They have jumped two evenings now. I’m not sure if they are the same ones. Is there a limit on how many “friends” you are allowed to take to the pool? Did they mail out the rules of the pool? In the past we used to receive a letter that had to be signed and returned before our card was activated to get into the pool.
Paula
I see a guy with a white shirt that says “SECURITY” on it… I assume that’s what he’s doing there. However, they aren’t doing a good job at all! last night we got home about 10 and there were some people at the pool.
At the last meeting, the Board said they weren’t going to send out that letter again this year.
I hope things get under control soon… there are a lot of people using the park and leaving trash all over the place. Every weekend it seems that our park is turned into a landfill. Maybe more (better) security is the key. At least for the summer months?
There are several children from outside communities using the pool. A gentleman who said he lived near Amole Mesa was looking for his kids and he said he found them at our pool. I have seen people just waiting by the door to have someone let them in the pool. My son goes often and he said the guard that has been there doesn’t say nothing to them. The Guard needs to make sure everyone has a card, and that their card works. Also that children under a certain age have an adult with them. I am sure there is always going to people that do not live here using the park and pool. Hopefully the guard helps a little with that. The park was trashed the other day. SAD. People love the park enough to use it and invite friends and family over to have parties but do not love it enough to clean their own mess.
The Board is working with the security company about the guard and their duties. We ended up with a miss communication that resulted in some lax enforcement, but that has been addressed and we hope to see changes immediately.
As for seeing individuals in the pool at 10PM. The pool hours are 7am-9pm and the guard is only there until 9pm, so they can’t enforce anything once they leave. However, after 9pm if anyone sees people in the pool they are trespassing and you have every right (and are encouraged) to call APD and report it.
Unfortunately we don’t have an easy fix for the Sandstone problem when a guard is not present at the pool, and this isn’t the first year it’s happened. It has been brought to the Boards attention that the residents of Sandstone believe that since both communities were KB and they pay into the Master Assoc. that they have the right to use our pool & park. This is not true. Only Orchards residents & their guest are allowed the luxury to use the pool & park. We are going to be working with KB and Canyon Gate (who manages Sandstone) to inform those residents that they are not allowed to use the pool or park unless they are a guest of a resident of the Orchards.
We are trying to juggle keeping our pool & park private while at the same time not blowing the budget. Please be patient with us and know we are most definitely working on it.
Travis Reilly
HOA Board Member
Paula-
The letter sent last year did two things: it was release of liability; second, it was a way to briefly remind people of pool rules. It was more or less a waste of time – we had the same problems last year as we have this year. What we did this year was to save the almost $400 in printing and mailing costs for that ineffective letter.
We don’t have a limit on the number of ‘friends’ or ‘guests’ anyone can bring in. If we find that one is inviting 10 (for example), that might be something we need to address…and we’re open to ideas like this to help create an environment where all can enjoy the pool.
Travis pretty much said it – we’re working with the security company to be more proactive while they are on duty. What happens before or after pool hours is more difficult to control. PLEASE, everyone, if you see something going on at the pool after hours, CALL THE POLICE. If you see the guard sitting there while things are not going right, call enTrust. We need your eyes to make sure we’re getting what we (all of us) are paying for. Keeping people safe – even from themselves – is often a community effort, and the police are a tool to use to get to there.
Mark Racicot
Secretary, The Orchards HOA BoD
I just wanted to throw out a comment. I took my kids to the pool this past Sat around 10am and it was a very pleasant experience. There was no guard on duty (I am guessing he starts aroung noon). Everyone in there had a card and accessed correctly and all of the kids in there were pleasant but having fun. Anyways, I know that this may have been one isolated case but wanted to throw out to the board that not all experiences have been bad ;). I agree with Margo on the trash at the park though, I also picked up trash while we were inside the pool area but I don’t know a fix for that.
I just wanted to say that I see huge improvements in the pool in the last two years and think that we will eventually get there.
@ Jenn,
Thank you for your input, we want to hear the good as well as the bad.
Travis Reilly
HOA Board Member
I am a home owner that has always paid his dues on time and in fact I am already paid up until Jan 2011 but, my family can not get access to the pool because my card still doesn’t work.
We called a week and a half ago to get it activated. but entrust doesn’t seem up to the task of getting yhe job done. The first time we called, they said it would be activated in 20 minutes. Later that day I took the kids to the pool and it still didn’t work. I called again a week later and the computers were down. I called again today and nobody even answered the phone.
My kids wait all year to get pool access, I am one of the minority that always pays my dues and I can’t even get into the pool! Should I jump the gate like a trespasser or simply quit paying my dues since I don’t seem to get any privilges anyway?
Dennis-
I am sending a note to Pat to verify your account. If you get this soon, please call her and see if she can explain to you what is going on. If not, please post back here and let me know that she wasn’t able to get it working.
Mark Racicot
Secretary, The Orchards HOA BoD
I have called entrust several times and got ahold of someone every time. Sometimes I had to leave a voicemail but Pat called back very quickly. I hope they fix your pool card soon Dennis. :) I know the guard at the pool is doing a great job. He turns down anyone that does not have a card or if their card does not work. He also does not let people buzz others in.
I hope the people who find out their card does not work call entrust. This way they can start collecting some money for our community.