Security Manager’s Report – August 2010

Times have changed… and so has our “view” of security.

On July 30, 2010. At 0936 hours, a resident of the Glenwood Community reported that her vehicle had been stolen overnight. Wackenhut along with Palm Beach Gardens PD responded to the call. Once on scene we began to collect information.

In continuing efforts to improve the security within PGA National, the Property Owners Association worked with a local company to install video surveillance cameras at each of the exterior gatehouses and the Communications Center. Surveillance cameras are set up to capture and record all traffic entering and exiting PGA National.

Once the information was gathered, it was determined that the vehicle was stolen between the hours of 1200 O’ clock midnight and 0700 Hours. In reviewing the surveillance footage, the stolen vehicle was observed exiting onto Avenue of the Champion at appx. 0130 Hours. Because of the Bar Code on the vehicle, we were able to determine that the vehicle returned via Northlake Blvd. at appx. 1015 Hours. Again, surveillance footage confirmed the vehicle’s return in the residents’ lane.

A Be On the Look Out (BOLO) was issued to all gatehouse and patrol officers. Wackenhut and Palm Beach Gardens PD initiated a search for the vehicle inside each community within PGA National. Wackenhut discovered the vehicle parked on a road in the Glengary community at appx. 1150 Hours. The vehicle was returned to the owner shortly thereafter. While the police have not yet made an arrest in this incident, the video footage captured will assist in their investigation.

As always, our goal is to provide the residents of PGA National with superior service. The addition of the surveillance cameras will help us meet our goal.

Remember to set your alarm when you leave your home and make sure that all doors and windows are secure. Never leave valuables in your vehicle.

Report all suspicious persons and activity to security at 627-1600.

Security Manager’s Report – July, 2010

As we enter the 2010 Hurricane season, it’s never too late for the whole family to start planning. Everyone including children should have a role. As The Director of Security, I would like to provide you all with some safety tips and information.

To prepare for a hurricane, you should make plans to secure your home. Make arrangements for your pets. Clean your yard of any items that could pose a threat to you or your neighbors in hurricane force winds. Be sure that all trees and shrubs around your home are trimmed. Stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period. These supplies should include several containers of water, non-perishable foods, batteries, a radio, flashlights and candles.

Check your insurance coverage and take photos of your home contents for insurance purposes. Put important papers in waterproof container. If you have a generator, test it before the storm arrives to ensure it is working properly. Fill up you gas tank. These are just some tips to help ease the frustration associated with dealing with a hurricane.

As your security provider, we will have a Hurricane Command Center set up at the PGA National Resort & Spa. Our primary functions will be to provide 24-hour emergency assistance and perform community assessments. Our duties will include removing debris from roadways and clearing storm drains, as well as working alongside local law enforcement and Fire Rescue. Unfortunately for those residents that are away during the time of a hurricane and have not provided us with, a property check form, we may not be able to perform individual property assessments. It is a very busy time for security after the storm has passed and in most cases we are in emergency mood.

As always, our goal is to provide the residences of PGA National with superior service. Remember to set your alarm when you leave your home and make sure that all doors and windows are secure. Never leave valuables in your vehicle. Report all suspicious persons and activity to security at 627-1600.

Security Manager’s Report – May, 2010

Summertime is here, which means visiting friends and family, cookouts and going to your local beaches. It also means an increase in juvenile crime. Between the months of May and August juvenile crime rises for such reasons as boredom, lack of supervision and peer pressure. PGA National experiences increases in thefts, burglaries to vehicles, and vandalism. Many of the crimes committed by juveniles are crimes of opportunity.

Do not become a victim of opportunity. It is important that you lock your vehicle whenever it is parked and under no circumstance leave anything of value in your vehicle. Remember to set your house alarm whenever you leave your home: ask a neighbor to keep a look after your home while you are away.

For many of you the summer is a time to take a well-needed vacation. For your peace of mind while you are away, please stop by any gatehouse in PGA National and ask for a “Property Check” form. Once completed, you can return it to any gatehouse. If you prefer, you can use the Internet (ABDI) to set up a property check while you’re away. Property Checks will be performed twice a week.

As your security provider we are working hard to give you, the residents of PGA National, the best possible service. With your cooperation, we can strive to meet this goal. There is a lot of activity in PGA National during the day. As residents, if you see anyone that looks suspicious in your neighborhood do not hesitate to call security at 627-1600.

Thank you, be safe and enjoy your summer.

Security Manager’s Report – March, 2010

In early January, a BOLO (Be on the Look Out) was issued by the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department in reference to an individual that was an original member of the “Dinner Set Gang”.  This group of individuals burglarized homes from Fort Lauderdale to Jupiter in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  This BOLO was information on that individual who served 22 years for crimes committed while a member of this group.  The BOLO gave precise details as to what the individual was driving and the license plate information.

On January 22^nd at approximately 1600 hours, this vehicle entered the South Gate of PGA National.  USO Rebecca Tubb was posted on the gate and noticed a vehicle fitting the description.  She immediately studied the BOLO and positively identified the driver and vehicle.  After making positive identification, USO Tubb notified her shift Supervisor and calls were made to the Palm Beach Gardens Police.

Wackenhut Area Supervisor Tom Hartog was at PGA National when the call came over the radio.  Tom notified Wackenhut’s  West Palm Beach office which also sent support.  PGA National Supervisor, Major Keith Echols, was about t go off duty, but he stayed and began patrolling the community in his own vehicle.  Shift Supervisor Lt. Dave Montague, Zone 1 officer CPO Trevor Snyder and Zone 2 officer CPO Harvey Friedman all patrolled surrounding neighborhoods.  Tom Hartog began patrolling in his own vehicle and later office staff, Mark Dolan and Ed Rodriguez from West Palm assisted by patrolling in theirs own vehicle.

Palm Beach Gardens Police arrived on scene and established a perimeter around PGA National, placing a marked unit at each entrance and exit.  After approximately 30 minutes and with the assistance of all patrol units, the suspect was found and this information was relayed to the Palm Beach Gardens Police who were on scene.  As the suspect exited the property through the south gate, Palm Beach Gardens Police stopped the vehicle as it proceeded westbound on Northlake Blvd.

A total of 7 Wackenhut vehicles assisted in patrolling PGA National to find this individual and it worked.  The teamwork and dedication that everyone displayed, from each gate officer, the dispatch officer and all patrolling units was evident in the identification of this individual.  But most importantly, it was the job of USO Rebecca Tubb that deserves all the credit in this incident.

Had it not been for her taking her job seriously, being dedicated and on her toes, the recognition of this individual most likely would have gone unnoticed.  USO Tubb did a tremendous job.  Thank you Rebecca, job well done.

As your security provider we are working hard to give you, the residents of PGA National optimum service. This goal is easily attained with your cooperation.  As residents, if you see anyone that looks suspicious in your neighborhood do not hesitate to call security at 627-1600.  It is important that you lock your vehicle whenever it is parked and under no circumstance leave anything of value in your vehicle.  Also, remember to set your house alarm whenever you leave your home.

With your cooperation, I know we will reduce the amount of crime in PGA National and send a message to all would be thieves that we are watching.

Be Vigilant.

Security Manager’s Report – January, 2010

The holidays have come and gone and I truly hope each and every one of you had a safe and enjoyable time. I know, we at the security department, made every effort to make that the case. During the last part of November and the month of December, PGA National saw a very moderate increase in what the police term Part One Crimes. These are basically burglaries and thefts, both actual and attempts. I can also tell you that in every instance, without exception, all the crimes were those of opportunity presented to the criminally inclined. I am referring to unlocked vehicles, keys left inside and valuables in plain sight. Even so, the rate in PGA was markedly lower than all the surrounding communities. This information is provided by Gardens PD and carefully scrutinized by the security department.

There is a tendency to relax a bit after the holidays. I can tell you the criminal element won’t. They know January is an excellent opportunity to continue on from December. Presents are out in the open and still in plain sight. The bottom line here is thieves will always be present, in every community and the best deterrent is to remove the temptations. If you lock your car, set the alarm and stow valuables from view, I can almost guarantee your car will not be stolen or burglarized. Why should a thief expend the effort to circumvent these obstacles if they can just find one without them? The same precautions need to be used for your residence. Lock doors and windows, set your alarm and leave lights on. Make it appear someone might be home. Again, burglars pick the most vulnerable home where they assume they won’t be confronting anyone.

Residential lighting, both inside and outside the home, if used correctly is an excellent deterrent for being victimized. Inexpensive electronics can be used to turn lights on and off at predetermined intervals. They can even open and close drapes as well as operate sound equipment. If your home has dark outside areas, correct that with lights that accomplish what you need without offending your neighbors. Usually, with a little thought this can be done quite effectively. Lastly, consider motion lighting. This spooks thieves for the most part and they usually just pick an easier target.

To a large degree, your safety is in your hands. If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me at the Comm. Center, 627.1600.

Happy New Year to all!

Security Manager’s Report – December, 2009

With the holiday months approaching, it is especially important to pay close attention to personal and property safety. As a former police detective, I can tell you from personal experience that no matter what the state of economy is at the time, the months of November, December and the first half of January always experience peaks in petty theft and residential burglaries. There are also more personal assaults such as pocket book thefts. If you think about it from a thief’s perspective, this only makes sense. The holiday season means more money in pocketbooks and sugar jars. It also means there are all those nice new presents just waiting to be wrapped. So what can you do to keep safe.

With all the things we have to do – going to work, picking up kids and shuttling them around for after school activities, taking care of the house – who has time to think about much of anything else? That’s why we need a reminder every year to pay close attention to the very things we take for granted. The biggest mistake you can make is to assume you will never be the one robbed or burglarized. It can happen to anyone and so being prepared is key to a happy and safe holiday season.

I have just finished a review of the Palm Beach Gardens crime statistics for the month of October (yes, I review them monthly) and have found that PGA National still has a far lower crime rate than all the surrounding communities. I confirmed this during a recent phone conversation with an Officer in the crime prevention unit. That being said, this is not the time to let our guard down. Your security department knows this and is as vigilant as ever during the holiday months.

Every so often there comes along a particular crime that stands out. Right now it is the theft of catalytic converters, and it has become an epidemic. There is a small amount of precious metal contained within the converter that can be removed and sold. These thefts are occurring all over and quite frequently. So far, most of these crimes are contained to public parking lots with the vehicle of choice being a Toyota SUV. If you observe anything suspicious in a public lot, please report it. You will not be wasting anyone’s time. Your tips can finally put an end to this.

Happy and safe holidays to all!

Security Manager’s Report – November 2009

Recently one of the communities here in PGA National instituted a Crime Watch program. The first public meeting was held, crime watch signs are in place and citizens are becoming more attuned to what transpires around them.

Personally I believe this is a good idea. While the overall crime rate is still currently very low in PGA National, that is not the case in many surrounding communities. The economy being what it is means there are just that many more people walking about looking for opportunistic circumstances to commit crime. These are the garden variety thefts that appear, to those who commit them, to be of low risk.

While PGA National is very well patrolled by both your security department and Palm Beach Gardens police, this is a huge community with over 5,000 homes and many businesses. It has about 43 separate communities and many HOAs. More eyes and ears are always welcome to help us do an even better job. To be fair, many residents do take an active interest in their community and call us with information they believe could be useful. We certainly have encouraged this in the past and in no way want this to end. There are, however, certain advantages to an organized approach through a crime watch program.

Neighborhood crime watch is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Bonds form between neighbors, security and police. In the end, the entire community is better served.

How do you start a crime watch? It’s really easy. The basics are:

• Organize a small group of neighbors to discuss concerns, the level of interest and the possible neighborhood problems.
• Schedule a date, place and time to hold your first crime watch meeting.
• Contact the Palm Beach Gardens Crime Prevention Unit and Wackenhut security for assistance.

“Making the neighborhood safe” is the goal of any crime watch. Neighbors watch out for each other. They know the area like no one else and will be the first to observe anything out of order. Many times this also serves as springboard to address other community concerns.

If what has been discussed sounds right for your neighborhood, give it a try. Both your police department and your security department will be there to help you.

Security Manager’s Report – October 2009

It is the duty of this office to make PGA National residents aware of any potential problems that could lead to opportunities for crime. The subject I want to discuss is one that I have already touched on in previous articles, but it is important, so I think it is appropriate to bring it up once again.

Theft from automobiles is on a meteoric rise in all the communities surrounding PGA National. Here, at home, we have only had one auto burglary and one attempt. In both cases doors were not locked and alarms not set.

Palm Beach Gardens PD remains vigilant in their patrols here as do we. Still, according to PD, the auto burglary rate is soaring from Military Trail and East. In fact, two nights ago a pair of auto burglars were arrested in the Trinity Church parking lot when caught in the act of breaking into vehicles. A third person got away but he is being sought. The police are doing all they can to assist the community with this problem.

That brings me to our Car Smart Program here at PGA National. After a few trial runs we began this program at the beginning of May. Everyone should, by now, be familiar with the program itself. We simply pick a community; look in every vehicle parked on or off street, and see if there are any valuables in sight. If there are we try to make personal contact with the owner to let them know. We put a “Car Smart Card” on every vehicle in the area, whether valuables are in sight or not, for two reasons. One is so we don’t single out the cars with valuables. The second is to send the message to would be thieves that we are watching and taking an active interest in the safety of our resident’s possessions.

We have now observed well over a thousand vehicles all over PGA National. At the start of the program we ran between 16 and 23 percent of all vehicles surveyed had valuables in plain sight. Over the past month or so this percentage has dropped to between 2 and 15 percent. Every personal contact we have made, without exception, have been thankful to be notified and made aware of a potential problem. We are slowly working our way through PGA and, hopefully, it will become second nature for residents to stash their belongings and lock their car.

Remember, auto burglaries occur almost exclusively to unlocked vehicles. Why make noise breaking glass when you can find the next one unlocked?

Anyone having any questions concerning this program please feel free to contact me at the Communications Center, 627.1600.

Security Manager’s Report – September 2009

It has come to my attention that a number of “white collar” scams are being used by diverse criminal organizations, not only in our immediate area, but throughout the country.

I belong to a local professional organization comprised of directors of security as well as local law enforcement officials. The goal is an exchange of information to allow everyone to perform their duties with as much information at their fingertips as possible to do this efficiently. Meetings are held every month to keep abreast of the latest crime trends, what is being done to combat them and any new ideas members might have on the subject. This formal organization also fosters additional communication in between formal gatherings concerning information distributed in real time that might help prevent illegal activities at other sites. We are appraised on thefts, burglaries, suspect/vehicle descriptions and modus operandi from other communities that are forwarded in hopes they may be prevented elsewhere and also shed light, if apprehensions can be made, on earlier reported crimes. Information sent can also be in the form of scams currently making the rounds in hopes that greater awareness will translate to less victims. Two such scams are currently making the rounds and definitely bear being brought to the attention of PGA National residents.

The first you may find almost unbelievable, I know I did. I can only tell you this, while not proven beyond a shadow of a doubt by this writer, it comes from an extremely credible source within the intelligence community who has the proper connections that could verify the accuracy of this account. It is very simple. You get a phone call from an area code 809, 274 or 876. A message is left telling you to call back. That voice mail concerns the death, illness or arrest of a relative, or that you have won a prize. When you return the call you will get a recorded message keeping you on the line as long as possible. This is because they are charging you up to $2425.00 per minute. No, this is not a misprint. It is a foreign company set up in the Dominican Republic. Currently, there are no regulations capping what a foreign company can charge per minute. My source told me this was verified by the local phone company, AT&T and snoops.com. It seems neither phone carrier want to become involved because the call was actually placed from here to one of the area codes. That is the key to this scam; we place the call. I am sure, with all the area codes now out there, there are new and ingenious scams being dreamed up as this is written. We all have to be very, very circumspect when it comes to any kind of public communication. I know I will be.

The second scam is more straight forward and plays on the underlying honesty and willingness to cooperate with authorities. A phone call is received by a person identifying themselves as a governmental employee. The reason given for the call is that the recipient of the call has failed to respond to a jury summons and a warrant is being issued for his/her arrest. Of course, the person called protests saying they never received a summons and there must be some mistake. At that point the caller states that possibly this can be straightened out without an arrest but that further information will be needed, such as their date of birth and social security number. If this is obtained by the caller, the recipient has just become the subject of identity theft. This scam has been reported, so far, in 11 states. No governmental agency, will, out of the blue, be asking for these types of identification. As a general rule, give out no personal information. If they have legitimate business, know who you are, shouldn’t they already have it? The same must be said for any unsolicited phone call whether in person or by message. Verify everything and avoid the nightmares later.

Community Safety – August 2009

SUMMER CAR SAFETY

Accidents happen.  Every summer in Florida we read where someone has left their baby or their pet in their car during the summer months.  When your car is parked in the sun your car heats up very quickly.  The temperature in your car can get up to 200 degrees, depending on the temperature outside, the kind of vehicle you have, and how long it has been in the sun.  This becomes a deathtrap for your child or pet.

When driving with a pet or a child in the car always make sure before you step out of the car, someone is responsible for the well being of your child or pet.  Don’t assume the other adult, child or guardian that is with you, will make sure they are safe.

Do not leave them in the car thinking you will “only be a minute”.  It is easy to get distracted and be unaware of how much time has passed.  Small children and animals are not able to open a window or a door like you can.  Typically they will be quiet when the heat overcomes them so there won’t be any overt signs i.e.: crying, barking, that will indicate they are in distress.  Cracking the window does not help; it doesn’t prevent the temperature in the car from rising.

Leaving children and pets inside a closed car is dangerous, deadly and illegal.  If you notice this situation, please call 911.  We all bear the responsibility of keeping our children and pets safe.

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