Safety Chairman – Allan Magee
- 501-520-9201
- Allan_magee@yahoo.com
Safety Committee Board Liaison – Gary Pritsch
Attendance: Full House with standing room only.
Meeting opened at 7:pm with the introduction of the members
of the Safety Committee:
- Melanie Landrum
- Gary Pritsch – Board Liaison
- Marsha Bottoms
- Chief Joel Tyner
- Bryan Guilbeau
- Dennis Dubuque – General Manager
- Jeff Clark
Chairman Allan Magee explained his surprise finding out that
Diamondhead does not have
24/7 security. The Safety Committee has
worked hard to come up with a proposal that has been presented to the DPOA
Board of Directors. Click the picture to view:
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| 1-26-17 handout |
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| 2-9-17 handout |
Allan asked for questions or comments from the Town:
Note: The following questions /
answers / comments are paraphrased.
- Several DH members with police, security, or financial experience stated a need for additional information before an educated decision can be submitted. The following list of questions submitted ‘for the record’ by DH member Steve Still includes many of the questions raised. ➤Click here to View:
- Police / Ambulance protection is already being paid for through our County taxes. Has anyone talked with the County (s) about their lack of response or delayed response time? No answer.
- At least 2 individuals with security experience expressed a desire to be a part of the Safety Committee - but are unable to attend due to the current meeting schedule. Those currently employed are not able to attend daytime meetings.
- General agreement ~ the Front Gate system is not working!
- Tail gaiting feature, length of time the gates stay open allowing many cars entrance into our community. This functional issue has been addressed by previous GMs & Board members and met with frustration.
- Volunteer Fire & Rescue / First Responders live in our community.
- What
happened to the
- Are the video cameras working? Answer: Yes
- Question directed to DPOA President Gary Pritsch: If this increase in Security is approved, can you guarantee that allocation of funds will continue? Answer: No
- This increase is only $12.00 per month.
- Stories were shared of loved ones who needed a quick response time to survive a medical issue. Chief Joel Tyner was accredited for his quick response to some of these situations. Much appreciation expressed.
- Emergency equipment failure noted.
- Ideas were shared for a Community Watch program, residents should stop at the Front Gate when entering until the gate closes à to discourage tail-gaiting.
- Two Separate Issues:
- Quick Response time for medical emergencies
- Front Gate personnel to man the gate 24-7
- Are you still planning to open a Police Department across the road – outside of Diamondhead? No answer.
- As stated by Allan Magee, we had 23 hour / 7 day security in the past. What happened to it?
- Several new DH members expressed their disappointment à They were told before purchasing their new home that Diamondhead has 24/7 security.
- Financial information was requested by some. Click this picture to view January's Financial Highlights:
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| DH members may ask for additional details at the POA office |
Chief Joel Tyner spoke of his frustration regarding the lack
of personnel to cover additional man hours.
Toward the end of the meeting, Joel was asked if he could add the two
extra security personnel needed with his current budget. Joel answered: Yes (?)
Allan Magee asked for a show of hands for or against the Safety Committee's proposal. The majority raised their hands against the proposal.
Allan Magee asked for a show of hands for or against the Safety Committee's proposal. The majority raised their hands against the proposal.
My summary: Most of us would like to see 24/7 security in
our gated community. We want and need
safety in our lives. But, we are
concerned about the prudent use of our current finances.
Notes provided by,
Diane Porterfield
620-3167
