opinion regarding fault on the ….
opinion regarding fault on the report—Security ensures that identifications are exchanged, and paramedics and/or SBPD are called if necessary.
• Death Investigations:
Security responds to all death notifications inside the community.
• Lost Residents: Security responds to lost resident calls, along with observing lost residents while on patrol. The lost residents are identified and safely delivered home. If there is an issue with identifying the lost resident, the police are called for assistance.
• Injury: Any type of fall outside of a person’s unit, including all Mutual property (such as Mutual common areas, carports, and laundry rooms) is documented on an injury report. It is noted on the report whether the injured person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
• Noise Complaints: Noise complaints are very common, and Security documents these types of incidents. Beyond loud televisions and garbage disposals used in the middle of the night, there are a significant number of complaints of “people in the attic” or other activity above their living space.
• Fire: Security ensures that the fire department has been notified of any smoke or fire detected. Security staffers at the scene will assist with the evacuation of residents and preserving the scene for investigators.
• Resident Welfare Checks:
When a neighbor or family member is concerned about a residents’ welfare, Security will go to the unit to ensure the resident is safe. Security will contact the person reporting of the status of the resident. If there is any medical or other immediate issue, Security will notify the proper authorities.
• Dog/Pet Complaints: One type of pet complaint received is the non-stop barking of a dog when the owner is away from the unit. Security will go to the scene and if barking is detected, a Pet Policy Violation Notice is left at the unit. Another common complaint involves unleashed dogs. Security will respond and if the owner is found, they will be counseled on the 6-foot leash rule inside the community.
• Resident Verbal Altercations: Patrol officers will be sent when requested by a resident or a witness to de-escalate verbal altercations between residents. The reasons for disputes are wide and varied, and Security will advise all parties about Mutual rules and regulations regarding noise and keeping the peace. If there is a crime involved, Security will call for police assistance.
• Domestic Violence/ Spousal Abuse: Security responds and contacts police immediately regarding all issues of this type.
• Occupancy Agreement Checks: The Stock Transfer Office may order a check of a unit to ensure residents are in compliance with their occupancy agreements.
• Suspicious Person/Trespassers: Residents call when they observe someone who appears to be acting in a suspicious manner inside the Mutual. Patrol officers are dispatched to find and identify the person. If necessary, Security will contact the police for assistance.
• Documentation/Reports:
For every duty noted above, Security completes over 200 reports a month. These reports are reviewed by the Security director and/or Security manager, and then each Mutual president is sent any report that occurred inside his or her Mutual.
• Decal/RFID Issuance:
Vehicle decals and RFID tags are issued by Security for Mutuals, so Mutuals have the assurance that anyone parking in a Mutual carport has vehicle insurance, valid registration and a valid drivers license. Nearly 5,000 decals are issued yearly to residents. Currently, the Decal Office is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Lost and Found: Lost and found property is kept in the Decal Office.
• Knoblock Installation/ Removal: A Knoblock installation ensures the Mutual that there will be no entry to a unit until legal authority is determined by Stock Transfer.
• Sprinkler/Water Issues:
When there is a water leak or sprinkler issue inside the Mutual, Security will go to the Mutual, determine the source of the leak and take appropriate action.
• Illegal Dumping: Security will be called when a Mutual discovers that someone has dumped unauthorized material in a Mutual trash area. A report will be taken, and an investigation to find the person responsible will commence.
• Hazardous Issues: When a fallen tree or other hazard is reported, the Mutual will contact Security which will place cones and tape when required to ensure residents’ safety. Security will report the issue to be remedied by the appropriate department.
• Lockouts: Lockout services are provided to all Mutuals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without charge.
• Smoking/Other Offensive Odors: Second-hand smoke is a significant concern to many residents. In addition, Security responds to reports of odors from paint, food, etc. Security will investigate the issue and
SECURITY, page 28
GRF Security patrol officers like Rick Buechler respond to paramedic calls, traffic collisions, neighbor disputes and much more.
Emma DiMaggio SECURITY
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refer any Mutual violations to the Mutual president.
• Laundry Room Coin Counting: There are three Mutuals (Mutuals 1, 3, and 15) that still use Security personnel to collect, count and deposit the coins in the Finance Department lock-up. This procedure for the three Mutuals taeks about two staff days a month.
• Moving In/Moving Out Assistance: Security is called to assist residents who are moving out, as well as with new residents entering the community. Security will save spaces for moving vans. Pod-style storage units used for moving in or out, which are allowed for a maximum of 72 hours.
• Bus Service Reservations: Residents from any Mutual may call the Security office where all bus service, including access bus requests and reservations, are made seven days a week.
• Injured/Dead Animals: Residents may call Security when they observe an injured or dead animal on Mutual property. If the animal is injured, Seal Beach animal control will be advised. If the animal is dead, the cleaning vendor for GRF will be notified and it will dispose of the remains.
• Service Maintenance Requests: After regular business hours (Monday through Friday after 4:30 p.m. and all-day Saturday and Sunday), residents call Security to report a Service Maintenance issue. All different types of maintenance issues (from clogged sinks to leaks) are reported. If the call is received Monday through Friday between 4:30 p.m. and midnight, Security will notify the on-site Service Maintenance employee. During all other times, Security will use the on-call list of service maintenance personnel to respond to the community.
• Laundry Room Violations:
Mutuals call Security when people violate their laundry room rules. These include using the laundry room facilities “after hours,” or unauthorized use by nonresidents.
• “Missions of Mercy”: The Security Department receives hundreds of calls a month to fulfill requests that may not be part of documented “official duties,” but when residents call in dire need of assistance, Security will always attempt to help by either completing the task or finding the proper department to assist. A partial list of “missions of mercy” requests received by Security in recent months include: - Inability to open prescription bottles. - Unsure if the oven or burners are completely turned off. - Remote control fell to the floor and went under a couch and cannot be retrieved.
- Cannot remove lids or covers from jars or Tupperware. - Requests to make medical and dental appointments and arrange transportation.
- Change batteries in remote control/life alert system/flashlights. - Change clocks inside the residence when Daylight Savings Time begins.
- Requests for dinner to be made or have dinner delivered. - Change light bulbs. - Clean up of large food and liquid spills inside units. - Cable/phone troubleshooting and repair. - “411” information service, when Security is asked to provide phone numbers for people and services outside the community (residents do not want to pay for possible ‘411’ service charges on their phones).
As the average age of residents continues to rise, these types of “missions of mercy” requests will grow exponentially.
Security officers are on-call 24/7. To ask a question or inform Security about a recent incident, call 562-594-4754.
