ANTICRIME PROGRAM
For Palmas Del Mar Complex Anticrime Plan Revised October 10, 2002
SECURITY DEPARTMENT RESIDENCE ASSOCIATION SECURITY DEPARTMENT
Cándido Neris Mulero, Director
Palmas del Mar, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Telephone (787) 852-7715 Fax (787) 852-7788
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The growing number of residents and the increase in visitor circulation opens a positive challenge for an indepth analysis that would allow the achievement of a better secured community. One with greater investment attractive which would not only increase the property value but would also ultimately allows every social component to benefit from the anticipated results of this plan.
Key people for this Plan
Security Operational Area Personnel
Security Director
Security Coordinator
Access Control Supervisor
Supervisors & Patrols
Entire Security Personnel
Administrative & Strategic Personnel
Security Director
Executive Director PHA
Complex Residents
Developers. & Contractors
Business Association
Hotel Operations
Human Resources Directors of all Entities that operate in the complex
Purpose of the Plan
Make Palmas del Mar a model community, where every person feels secure, enjoying the tranquility and easy access to all areas on the complex.
Plan Objectives
Dramatically control Criminal incidents
Reduce the unlawful appropriation of golf carts
Reduce the automobile and golf cart accidents
Reduce the entrance of individual without Access Control passes
Improve relations between Security Officers and Residents with New Security Officials who have public relations training and knows how to deal with Homeowners in different situations.
Jointly work with contractors in construction sites to implement security measures and properly identify employees
Inform and familiarize residents with the security plan
Issues that require Immediate Action
Dramatically control Criminal incidents
In order to control this situation a chain action is in demand, where all the components of security directly integrate to implement the plan.
Responsibilities of the Security Department
1. Security Director creates and establishes the plan, supervises the security officials to ensure that the plan is been implemented in an effective manner in order to effectively carry out all the necessary steps and achieve set goals and if possible exceed expectations.
2. Security Coordinator must directly integrate with the program, working and supervising in order to acquire the appropriate resources which will proof fundamental in establishing the plan as intended. Security Coordinator will constantly monitor the plan in order to meet the desired results.
3. Access Control Supervisor will be the direct contact source with Human Resources Directors, Developers, Contractors, Business Association, Residents, Employees, Realtor Service Agencies and any other entity that generates employees and/or personnel through the Access Control.
4. Supervisors & Patrols will constantly verify that the norms are implemented by security personnel. Must exhort Security employees to consistently enforce the security plan. Supervisors and Patrols will work along side the Coordinator informing of any doubt or situation that may arise while implementing the security plan.
Responsibilities of the Administrative & Strategic Personnel
1. Security Director creates and establishes the plan, supervises the security company to ensure that the plan is been implemented in an effective manner in order to effectively carry out all the necessary steps to achieve set goals and exceed expectations.
2. Executive Director P.H.A. has the responsibility of informing the Palmas del Mar community of the security actions taken to ensure their protection by utilizing the available means through the Residents Association. Serve as a positive liaison between the community and the security plan, obtaining the integration of the community to the plan. Approve the necessary resources for anticrime prevention activities to take effect.
3. Residents can be part of the plan by supporting it. There are several ways of supporting the plan. (1) abide by to the norms established by P.H.A. (2) inform any suspicious event or situation. (3) taking the necessary precautions with their properties such as: securing their residence before leaving and installing good alarm systems in their homes/residence.
4. Developers & Contractors may provide assistance and support if they are consistent with their employees in registering and obtain the proper identification from the Access Control Division. Establish and enforce security measures in their job sites that will maintain work and surrounding areas free of incidents. Provide surveillance to closed job site in order to reduce company losses and avoid the lure of employees to commit unlawful appropriation or burglary. Developers should share the cost of vigilance on nearby work sites while the sites are closed.
5. Business Association should inform of their activities to Security personnel with ample anticipation to allow Security personnel time to prepare for the event. It proves more effective for Security personnel to provide orientation to the Business Association rather than to individual clients. Business Association can provide Security personnel with the hours of operation, type of services provided and any special activity; situations can be avoided by maintaining open communication among the parties involved. Meetings can be arranged among the owners of establishments and security personnel for information to be shared. Establishment owners can also provide Security personnel with propaganda that would benefit Security Personnel for discuss in security meetings.
6. Hotel Operations can follow the same suggestions as the Business Association. This will allow the Security personnel to be aware of any activity and efficiently provide assistance and orientation to the visitor.
Reduce unlawful appropriation of golf carts
In order to reduce these incidents the problem must be addressed from different angles.
Security
Security Officials must be very effective when performing interventions with golf cart drivers to assure that the norms established by the PHA board are implemented.
Golf cart violations must be expedited when necessary. When anyone under 16 years of age is stopped driving a golf cart, the Security officials must take possession of the vehicle and continue with the PHA approved measures pertaining to these cases.
Officials must be exceptionally proactive during interventions with individuals to apprehend those who unlawfully take possession golf carts.
Official must take extra awareness when a golf cart is seen in an abandoned area and of any indications that it may have been used for illegal purposes.
Effectiveness is in demand when notifying the pertinent agencies when a golf cart violation is issued or when an accident has occurred.
All golf carts should have a sticker which reads: Anyone who steals this property will be prosecuted and the enalty will be six months incarceration or $500.00 fine.
P.H.A Executive Director
The PHA Executive Directors' office can make the plan more effective by maintaining an updated golf cart record. The records should be designed and maintain to provide easy access and ease the tracking and notification process of golf cart owner who are been frequently stopped.
Complex Residents
The residents can take an active part in the plan by not permitting anyone under the age of 16 years to drive a golf cart.
Antitheft devices can be placed on the golf cart to avoid the cart from been stolen.
Golf carts should be parked in safe areas with ample lighting.
Should immediately report to Security any suspicious conduct observed from golf cart operators. It is important to obtain detailed information such as: golf cart number, color and description of the driver and the occupants.
Developers & Contractors
Contractors that utilize golf carts should keep this in a secure parking area and provide adequate surveillance when the units are not in use. Employees should be instructed of the security norms when operating the golf carts in the complex.
Business Association
Businesses can have a positive impact on the plan by providing secure parking areas for their clients. These parking areas should be properly lighted and guarded if possible by security personnel to enhance safe keeping of the properties.
Businesses that rent golf cart units should corroborate that the security norms are explained to the clients. The security norms along with the driver's responsibilities while operating a golf cart should be placed in an accessible and visible place for the clients to appreciate. The golf cart operators should also be instructed on the security measures to adopt in order to avoid someone from illegally acquiring the unit.
Hotel Operations
Most interventions involving guest relating to golf cart violations are due to their unawareness of the proper usage of the units in the complex. The Hotels' General Manager should include the golf cart security norms in all informational pamphlets provided to guest. The adequate security measures to adopt when parking the golf carts should be explicitly posted in guest rooms.
Human Resources Directors of the various Businesses that hold operations in the complex
The Directors should inform their employees in writing of their responsibilities when operating a golf cart in the complex. The employee manuals should include the security measures to adopt when operating a golf cart in the complex.
Reduce Automobile & Golf cart accidents
All the components of this plan should work toward avoiding vehicle accidents.
Security Director
PHA Executive Director
Complex Residents
Developers & Contractors
Complex Merchants
Hotel Operations
Human Resources Directors from the different Businesses with operations in the complex.
To effectively campaign toward avoiding accidents, direct communication must be established with the residents who utilize the golf carts on the complex roads.
State Police officers should be activated to monitor the speed limits on the main roads. State officer can also inspect vehicles to identify those units that are not in compliance with the requisites established by the Puerto Rico authorities.
With these measures not only can we avoid accidents but we can also prevent vehicle larceny.
All employees from the diverse areas should be informed in writing of the importance of driving in a secure manner in the different areas of the complex. Construction sites and Maintenance Services along with other service providers should be instructed on the safety measures to practice to ensure safety on the complex roads. Emphasis must be made on the fact that the complex roads are frequently used by pedestrians, cyclist and golf cart operators.
Reduce the number of individual who gain entrance without an Access Control Pass
Security Director
Security Personnel
Complex Residents Developers & Contractors
Hotel Operations
All the components involved can offer a positive contribution to the Security plan
The security personnel has the task of encouraging and implementing security norms and detaining those individuals that illegally gain access to the complex utilizing private properties surrounding the complex perimeters.
The Access Control Supervisors should establish open communication with all the components of the plan in order to allow information to flow and establish a tighter control on people entering the complex.
Residents should familiarize their employees on the access control norms and exhort them to obey them in order to guarantee effectiveness in Security's' mission to protect.
Developers & Contractors should instruct their employees on the access control norms and exhort them to follow the norms in order to guarantee effectiveness in the security plan.
Hotel Operations
The Hotel Operations personnel should inform their employees of the access control norms and demand they follow the norms in order to effectively accomplish the mission of protecting the people and the properties
Improve relations between residents & Security official
The security personnel should keep in mind that they work for the residents. Deference toward the residents should be practiced, even in situations when a resident may behave aggressively or impatient the security personnel must maintain control and avoid confrontations.
Jointly work with the Construction sites to implement the security norms and properly identify employees.
The Access Control Supervisor should meet with all the Developers and Contractors to discuss the access control norms and uniformly work to achieve adequate access control of complex.
The Access Control Supervisor should work with the Director of the Architectural Board to include the security norms in their construction manuals in order to instruct their personnel of the security measures that protect residents and guest while operating a golf cart on the complex.
Newsletter
A page will be provided where Security will write the measures taken to maintain Palmas del Mar secured.
Provide all the residents with information on our security plan
The PHA Executive Directors' office can provide information to all the residents in such a manner that the resident understands what the Security Department is doing for the complex. Every resident should receive a weekly communication letter that informs them of the preventive measures implemented to improve their safety.
Residents have suggested that receive direct notice of eventualities because even though the information is discussed in the delegates meeting the information may not reach some residents.
Preventing Crimes in the Community
The community can have a great impact on the security plan by implementing reliable preventive measures in their homes that will difficult delinquent activities
Homicide or Murders
In Puerto Rico murders and violent crimes occur at any time or place and the Palmas Del Mar community is not exempt from being affected by crimes of this nature. That is why the community's participation is vital in preventing crimes.
The right to life is a constitutional right for everyone and it is the community's' right to maintain vigilance and report any suspicious situation, threat or estranger in the community. As a security measure strangers should not be welcomed or taken to your residence.
The number of incidents related to violent crimes is highly noticeable among our youth. Efforts should be made to provide and facilitate adequate orientation to our youth. Reference should be made to local new reports where it is reported that 90% of the murders on the island occur among youth. Something must be done to broaden their awareness and emphasis the importance in this matter.
It is extremely important not to ignore any suspicious situation that may be observed and report it immediately. The presence of Security official or State police official can prevent a violent crime from occurring.
Causes of crime are:
Narcotics
Personal rivalries
Any crime where the victim demonstrate resistance
Robbery
Robbery is defined as the action of taking someone's belongings utilizing violence and/or intimidation.
Causes of crime are:
Drug Addicts in search of fast money
Professional delinquents in search of money or jewels Terrorist
Actions that may cause this situation:
Allow strangers to see significant cash on hand
Allow strangers in to your residence facilitating insight on valuables and vulnerable areas of the home.
Keeping significant amount of cash in the residence
Keeping fire arms visible and easily accessible
Leaving doors or windows open or unsecured facilitating the entrance of strangers into the residence
Ways of preventing crimes:
Do not exhibit large amount of cash in public and/or among strangers
Do not carry a significant amount of money on hand Do not offer strangers transportation
Never allow stranger access to your residence
Never reveal personal information to strangers
Rape
Is a physical attack usually toward any female with the purpose of obtaining sexual pleasures without consent. A sexual relationship with any female under age 14 is also considered rape. In most cases rape crimes are committed by someone known, close or related to the victim.
Causes of crime are:
Individual with psychological problems
Easy access or unsecured residences
Female traveling in dark, lonely or secluded areas
Female with provocative attire
Doors or windows unlocked specially if visibility from outside is possible
Glass windows or doors that allow easy visibility into Bedrooms
Ways of preventing crimes:
Maintain the surroundings of your residence visible, free of vegetation and well illuminated.
Avoid unnecessary exposure (females) that may be observed from the exterior of the residence by strangers
Females should avoid walking in secluded or dark areas
Vehicles should be secured to avoid strangers from entering them and hiding inside.
Never open the door to a stranger
Report any marauder or stranger in the residential areas to Security
Burglary
To enter any structure with the intent to unlawfully take possession of valuables or with the intent to commit a crime
Causes of crime are:
Unsecured (open) doors or windows
Allow strangers into the residence
Provide service personnel keys to the residence
Allow keys of the residence to be removed from the premises which facilitates duplicating the keys
Hire a person without performing a background check and obtaining personal references
Fragile Glass doors or windows that permit easy access to the residence
Structures or residences with vegetation surrounding the area that obstruct visibility
Constructions sites nearby residential or commercial areas Employees that bring friends or relatives to the work place
Renting to individuals that retain a copy of the residence keys when their contract is terminated
Teenagers who bring friends to the residence
Ways of preventing crimes:
Never bring strangers into your home
Observe the type of friends your children and/or teenagers bring into the residence
Verify that doors & windows are properly secured before leaving Perform a background check on people you contract to perform work at your residence
Do not allow employees to remove keys from the residence Install a reliable security system in your residence or business Maintain areas surrounding the residence clean and free of vegetation that may interfere with the security of the area Immediately report any marauder or stranger seen in the area Maintain areas surrounding your residence well illuminated When someone is apprehended trying to burglarize your property, press charges against the individual and do not withdraw from prosecuting this offender, this is the best way to rid our streets of criminals
If possible install an alarm system that includes monitoring the residence
Unlawful Appropriation
To take illegal possession of someone's property or belongings without the use of violence or intimidation
Causes of crime are:
Normally this crime occurs due to articles left unattended and at the reach of strangers
Allowing strangers access to areas containing valuables
Ways of preventing crimes:
Do not leave your property unattended
Do not allow strangers access to areas containing valuable property
Do not leave valuable property visible
Do not leave valuable property in the interior of your Automobile
Aggression
Any person with the intent to cause bodily damage to another person commits aggression
Causes of crime are:
Lack of communication among people
Group of youngsters sometimes under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Passion (crimes)
Hired criminals
Ways of preventing crimes:
Maintain proper supervision of our youth and small children
Control alcoholic beverages in activities
Contact Security and State Police for assistance during activities with an anticipated large number of participants
Damages — Property
This crime is committed by delinquents who's' only intent is to destroy property and cause losses to the victim. It may also occur during the process of attempting to penetrate a structure, property or vehicle by means of force.
Causes of crime are:
Resentful employees trying to cause losses to the employer
Delinquents trying to gain access
Ways of preventing crimes:
All properties should be properly secured to avoid access to strangers, especially in areas with poor lighting
Valuable or expensive equipment should be guarded with an alarm system
Arson / Fires
Fires can occur in an accidental or intentional form. Intentional fires are penalized as stipulated in the legal codes of Puerto Rico. In situations were an accidental fires is the cause of death or injuries and negligence can be proven a criminal or civil court action can be initiated. Fraud to insurance company may also be intended with this type of crime.
Larceny (vehicles)
To illegally take possession of a motor vehicle.
Ways of preventing crimes:
When exiting the vehicle secure all locks
Install a reliable alarm system
Activate the alarm system when exiting the vehicle
Never leave the keys in the ignition
Never leave the vehicle keys under a mat, over the tires or in areas surrounding the vehicle
Avoid leaving the vehicle in unfamiliar repair shops
Abductions – Kidnappings
To deprive someone of their freedom by using violence or intimidation. Terrorist groups are known to practice this type of crime to gain large sums of money or valuable information. In some cases once they achieve their goal they eliminate the restrain person.
Causes of crime are:
Idealist/Terrorist
Wealthy Families or Individuals
Allow small children with out supervision in public areas Divorced couples with custody battles
Ways of preventing crimes:
Report any suspicious activity
Beware of anyone following you on foot or vehicle
Teach your children not to accept gifts from strangers Teach your children not to wonder away with strangers Teach your children not to leave your home without authorization (alone or accompanied)
Inform your children of the telephone numbers to call in case of an emergency. Such as: Security Personnel, State Police and Medical Emergency Units
Never contract or employee strangers to care for your children Advice your children not to play in areas that are isolated or dark
The effectiveness of this plan will depend on the commitment and contribution of each and every component when implementing the established norms and guides.
Contact PHA - P.O. Box 9027, Humacao, PR 00792-9027 > Telephone: 787-285-6425 > Fax: 787 850-7298
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