C.A.N. Report – June 2009

NEWS AND IMPROVEMENTS AROUND THE PGA COMMUNITY:

TURN ON (or I should say turn OUT!):

By the time you read this, you should see work beginning at Ryder Cup Blvd/PGA Blvd.  In the April issue I mentioned that Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District was going to start work on a right turn lane.  They are not actually constructing another lane, they are doing what we were told couldn’t be done:  They are re-striping the lanes to make the left lane a left turn and straight lane and the right lane will become right turn only.   It is so nice to know that another agency can do the impossible!  Seriously though, I know this has been a long-awaited project and that everyone will look forward to the completion.  During the construction phase, it would be helpful if you would please use the main (Ave of the Champions) road to exit when possible.  This will help protect the workers and other drivers and, of course, yourself!

WIDER AND WHITER: (No, not me without a tan!):

I’m referring to the sidewalk on Ryder Cup Blvd from the City Park lot to Avenue of the Masters.  Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District will be re-constructing the sidewalk to widen it (so that it is the same width as the sidewalk on the north side of Avenue of the Masters) and changing from asphalt to concrete.  The work should be underway as you read this article.

SHAKIN’ OR ROLLIN’ ON TOP (Again, we are not describingme!):

I’m referring to the guardhouse roofs.  The shake tile roofs are long overdue for replacement.  As usual, the POA Board is working to improve the appearance of the community and will be replacing the roofs with new roll tile.  The guard houses to be addressed include Avenue of the Masters, Tournament Blvd, each end of Ryder Cup Blvd, and the main information booth on Avenue of the Champions.  The good news is that there is no special assessment for this – it is covered in the General Reserve.  Work will begin after permitting (approximately July).  Hope you like the new look!

A CARD FOR YOU  (Sorry, I can’t think of a silly statement for this one):

Wackenhut Security will be implementing their Car Smart program “borrowed” from the Palm Beach Gardens Police.  You may be aware of the crimes of opportunity in PGA National.  Residents and their guests leave valuables in their car, leave the door unlocked and the property is stolen.   In an effort to reduce this type of crime, Wackenhut will be patrolling communities and looking in car windows (no, they are NOT checking to see if the car is locked).  If they find a vehicle with personal property in view, they will call the owner and let them know.

Cards are being printed and will be left on ALL vehicles in a particular area where Wackenhut patrols (yes, ALL cars so the notices don’t become an alert only on vehicles with valuables).  The patrol is separate from, and will not detract from, the regular community patrols.  Hopefully, you are not leaving valuables in your car and you are locking your car and your house.

YOUR TURN!!!

I’ve shared everything the POA (and NPBCID) is doing over the next few months; what are you doing to improve the appearance of your community or home?  While you tackle your “to do” list of pressure cleaning driveways, cleaning roof tiles, re-painting the house, landscaping, don’t forget that approval from the PGA Property Owners Association may be required.  If you have any questions as to whether or not the project you are planning needs approval, please call JoAnn at the POA at 627-2800.

Don’t forget that this is also the official beginning of “H” season (sorry, I am not allowed to use that word for the next few months but it is another word for a really BIG storm!).  Be sure you have the list of things to do before, during and after a storm. You can get this information either at the POA office or here on the website.

Have a safe and happy summer!

Community Safety – June 2009

It is with enthusiasm that I am able to address the residents formally for the first time as Director of Security for PGA National. I am looking forward to working with the team that makes PGA National a great place to work and live. Tom Hartog, will continue to be a part of PGA as an Area Supervisor, a promotion that is well deserved. I am looking forward to his continuing guidance as I become entrenched in my new position.

As summer approaches quickly, we are faced with the “schools out” concerns. This will present a whole new set of security challenges, from keeping our children safe to making sure their free time does not lead to poor judgment. Our officers are aware of the challenges summer brings and will stay on top of this. Good community relations involve not only the adults, but our teens and younger children as well.

One of our biggest concerns is crime in our neighborhoods. In looking over past to current crime statistics for PGA, it seems we are in line with other communities. In fact, in many categories, crime in PGA has decreased or remained the same. The two most common crime types concerning our residents are auto theft and burglary. Fortunately, residential burglary is not a great concern at this time. We have experienced a number of auto burglaries that we are addressing with two different approaches.

First, we have spent three weeks analyzing just how serious the opportunity for theft actually is. This has been accomplished by actually observing valuables that were left in vehicles in plain sight. The target areas were selected on past incidences of this particular type of crime. The first run through showed 22% of all vehicles checked contained visible valuables. The second showed 16%. Both numbers are much too high, which means “crimes of opportunity” will occur.

Secondly, we have slightly altered how we patrol the community. Omnipresence is technical jargon for making criminals aware they cannot commit crimes and get away with it. We are striving towards this and I will keep you informed of our progress.

In closing, I would like to thank all of those that gave me an opportunity to become part of the PGA family. My door is always open and I am only a phone call away. Your concern will become my concern and I promise to try to resolve the issues brought before me.