Riverlake Community Association

To Your Health, Happiness and...Security

Dec 06, 2000

by Doug Byrd, Manager

Recently, a Riverlake resident was mugged by some youths who had followed the resident home from the bank. As a result of this incident, concerns were expressed by some residents, and the Board is looking into the entire security issue. In the meantime, I thought it would be useful to provide some basic security information for everyone.

Security is always a concern wherever we live. We want to feel that our families are safe from those who commit crimes. One of the reasons and benefits of living in a private community such as ours is that there is an additional level of security due to a combination of factors. Some of these include: private security to enhance the city police patrols, active neighborhood watch programs and less outside traffic circulating through our private street system. Many of the Riverlake homes are located behind privacy gates which further reduces the amount of outside traffic.

It is important to understand there is a significant difference between privacy gating and security gating. In the highest level of security gating, a security guard screens out unauthorized visitors and logs in non-resident license numbers. A different level of security gating involves either video cameras recording all entering and/or exiting traffic or static cameras recording information about people using the directory to gain entry. The lowest level of security gating involves computerized monitoring of gate traffic by keeping a digital log of all numbers entered into the gate directories.

Changing from privacy gating to security gating is expensive and would certainly impact dues. The Board is reviewing security issues and would appreciate hearing from residents. Call us at the office at 395-7462 or email us at rlca@mail.cwo.com.

In the meantime, please remain alert to your surrounding. Vigilance is the best form of security and it is free. Be alert to strangers following you through a gate. If you sense you are being followed, do not stop. Keep moving until you are safe. If you notice suspicious visitors, contact Pocket Security's emergency number at 769-4390.

The City of Sacramento Police Department has some excellent tips for crime prevention. I highly recommend that you visit their web site at www.sacpd.org/crimeprev.html. You may want to print information on the following:
*Crime on the Internet
*Safe e-shopping
*General tips
*Help for "Identity Theft"
*Rape prevention
*Burglary prevention
*Vacation safety
*ATM awareness
*Consumer fraud schemes
*Personal "Rate Your Risk" tests

Please take the time to review this site and have a safe holiday season!