Diamondhead Community Safety Committee Meeting 9-20-17
Members Present Allan Magee, Chair Steve Still Bryan Guilbeau A Traveler Dave Orel Dennis Hannan Melanie Landrum Gary Pritsch, Board Liaison
Allan: Summary of history of Diamondhead security:
The Safety Committee has been working to identify the best way to prevent tailgating at the front gate. Originally, the front gate was manned 24 hours with a guard shack outside the gate. Budget reductions here resulted in the front gate no longer being manned 24 hours and the guard shack has been removed. The original gates were configured in a way that made tailgating impossible to prevent.
For the current arm gates, the proposal went out and we accepted the low bid, which resulted in what we have now. Recommendations were made to the board based on the previous safety committee recommendations.
The present two gate arms were installed to solve the problem but as it turned out, they actually made the problem worse. The Safety Committee is proposing a system to solve the tailgating problem.
Whoever we get to do it this time, we need to get someone to service the gates that will do it immediately and not be cost prohibited.
Safety Committee Agreement for Proposal to be posted in Diamondhead Community FB and Nextdoor. Recommendations that were carefully researched and list committee members. After visiting Hot Springs Village and a gated community in Little Rock (that has no security guards) and speaking with two vendors that install the most highly recommended gates provided by Door King.
Recommendations of the Safety Committee:
We would like to move the two arm gates to the exit area and to replace the exit spike strip. The gates will be equipped with sensors.
One double gate (either new or re-purposing the two existing gates keeping in mind reliability) for the entrance that immediately closes when a vehicle goes through. When it senses an obstacle it will stop immediately and not recycle.
New double gate will be located where the two arm gate currently is located.
The present transponder car sticker strips will be retained.
Keypad will be in the present location that will allow visitors to contact the resident and the resident can remotely open the gate for them.
Two arm gates and the entry gates will both have sensors that will not close down on a trailer or tractor- trailer (or provide manual override system for gate personnel).
Both entrance and exit gates will have appropriate accessibility for emergency personnel. Gates will remain open for a window of time during morning and evening rush hours.
Spike strips will be removed.
Identification stickers will be given to residents free of charge.
Option: (Can be added at a later date but would like to know the cost now.) We would like to explore the cost of having a stop-light for those not having transponder stickers at the entrance and to deter tail-gating. The light will turn red again until the car clears the gate. Will not go off if car doesn’t have transponder sticker. Will need signage to warn residents of space requirement.
Both entrance and exit gates will need over-ride capabilities in the event of power outage.
Final design is approved by the Fire Marshal prior to installation. Training on operation of system by vendor.
Next Steps:
We need another bid. Call Door King to see who local reps are to bid the job.
Bryan discussed Neighborhood Watch and the web pages linked that we can research to present to the community to start a program. Melanie will send out links with minutes.
Survey community to determine number of first responders who already live here and meet with them to determine availability and possible fee.
Allan will have the First Responder trainer speak with us at our next meeting.
Neighborhood Watch Links to Review:
NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH – A DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION http://www.nnw.org/
NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety/neighborhood-watch
How to use Nextdoor for crime prevention https://help.nextdoor.com/customer/portal/articles/1019177-how-to-use-nextdoor-for-crime-prevention
U.S. Justice Department: Does Neighborhood Watch reduce crime? https://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/criminal-justice/us-justice-departmentneighborhood-watch-reduce-crime
