Date: January 13, 2023
To: All PHCA Residents
Subject: PHCA Safety and Security Efforts
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
Over the last few months, the Board of Directors have received calls and emails from neighbors regarding safety & security issues in our neighborhood. Some of the issues include increased traffic/speed of vehicles, vandalism to private & public property, loitering of people in the park after hours, and isolated cases of theft to private property. Although this is a trend across the country & other parts of Lexington, we want to do our best to enhance the safety and security of this neighborhood.
Last year, PHCA installed security cameras in the neighborhood park and clubhouse areas. We continue to tweak that system to provide enhanced surveillance in those public areas. We are working with the Lexington Police Department (LPD) to use video footage to deter “after-hours” activity in the parking lot and recreational facilities. The PHCA board intends to use video evidence to fully prosecute anyone caught engaged in vandalism or criminal activity in our park and clubhouse areas.
Neighborhood Watch Program
The PHCA is also working with the LPD to implement a “neighborhood watch” program. This police department program has been successfully used in other Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods to address safety & security concerns. During the PHCA November Board Meeting, Councilmember Whitney Baxter and LPD officer Bige Towery attended to share various ways to increase security for the neighborhood and our homes in general. Following the meeting, and with support from homeowners in attendance, the PHCA board voted to create a Security & Safety committee and begin the process to implement the LPD Neighborhood Watch program.
As Officer Towery communicated, for the “neighborhood watch” program to work, it will require the entire community’s dedication and support. Our first step is to recruit volunteers from each section of the neighborhood to provide leadership. These leaders, referred to as “block captains”, will act as a central point of contact for those homes in your section. These volunteers will also be actively engaged in the safety and security committee that has been developed. To be clear – the role of “block captains” is NOT law enforcement but managing neighborhood communication resources to help enhance the safety & security of Palomar.
Based on the number of homes in various sections, we are looking to recruit block captains as follows:
Crossings – 1 block captain
Glades – 1 block captain
Greens – 2 block captains
Meadows – 2 block captains
Olde Bridge – 1 block captain
Townhomes – 2 block captains
Villas – 1 block captain
Woods – 2 block captains
If you are interested in volunteering for one of these positions, or might consider, please contact Melanie Allen admin@palomarhills.com for more information.
Other Safety Tips:
Officer Towery also shared other safety/preparedness tips to consider for your own home/townhome.
- Make sure your house number is easily visible from the street and lit
- Garage doors are closed, even when you are at home
- Maintain shrubs to be below window level
- Do not keep any valuables in your vehicle
- Make sure all vehicle doors are locked
- Do not leave a ladder outside your home
- Maintain a list of serial numbers on all of your electronics to support recovery efforts with the police
- Make sure all door locks are adequate and in good repair
- Make a list of important phone numbers, such as non-emergency numbers for the police and fire departments, and local emergency management office and post them in a central location of your home. Make sure any children at home know how to contact police through 911.
- Develop a communication plan for your family. Choose someone outside of your home and community to be the central point of contact in the event of a disaster
- Choose a two meeting places for family members: One inside the community and one outside
- Assemble an emergency preparedness kit consisting of the following
- 3 – 5 day supply of water (one gallon per person per day
- Food that will not spoil and requires no cooking
- First-aid kit and needed medicine
- Emergency tools, such as a battery powered radio, cell phone, and flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Personal toiletry items and garbage bags
- Change of clothing and blankets for each person
- Portable generator if possible
- Learn how to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switch
- Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or day care center
- Devise escape routes from each room of your home
- Know your community’s evacuation routes
Should you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Melanie Allen in the PHCA clubhouse. Thank you so much for being a part of this community and have a great year ahead!
Sincerely,
PHCA Board of Directors