The County of San Diego publishes a “Swimming Pool Operator’s Guide” that anyone operating a Swimming Pool for the use of their residents or the general public should become very familiar with. We have all heard of too many children, especially toddlers, who have drowned in swimming pools. Purely aside from the moral obligation to provide a safe and secure environment for all swimmers, there is also a legal responsibility when it comes to pool safety.

Risk Factors

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) focuses on six primary factors when inspecting a pool for “risk factor violations.”

• Improper water chemistry, pH, chlorine etc.

• Unsafe suction outlets that could hold someone underwater

• Ensuring the pool recirculates and meets the minimum water turnover requirements

• Improper storage of dangerous pool chemicals

• Safety hazards such as slippery or broken decking, missing handrails or ladders, unsafe or improperly stored pool covers, inadequate lighting, depth or safety markers

• Unsecured pool enclosure

Controlling the Pool Safety Risk Factors

• There should be a designated person on duty and responsible for the safety and security of the pool area environs, especially during peak seasonal times. Consider a private security company to monitor your pool. North Coast Patrol offers Pool Monitors to control access and ensure rules are enforced.

• Education is key – all residents must be educated as to acceptable and unacceptable behavior and safety requirements. Running, for example, must be strictly prohibited as this is one of the leading causes of injuries.

• Keep and periodically review maintenance, operation and training logs and records.

• Contact your security company or property management company to report rules violations or unsafe conditions.

Use All Four Layers of Protection for Your Pool

• Fencing should be at least 5 ft. high, four-sided and non-climbable. Isolation fencing is best.

• Fence gates must be self-closing and self-latching. The latches should be too high for a child to be able to reach.

• All doors and windows leading to the pool should send off an alarm when opened.

• Pool covers should be approved safety devices.

Doing everything possible to ensure Pool Safety isn’t an option to owners of swimming pools, whether the pool is in their backyard or for the use of members of the Homeowner’s Association, residents of an apartment complex, mobile home park, or for the use of the general public. At North Coast Patrol, we’d be pleased to meet with you to discuss the safety and security of your pool and property.

One of the most common phone calls and emails we receive from our property managers and business owners are second-hand reports that they receive from their residents or tenants that suspicious activity, disturbances, or other criminal activity has taken place on their properties. The resonating theme of these reports is that rather than individuals taking action to report crime immediately as it’s in progress, many tenants or homeowners wait to report it the following day (or sometimes longer) to their property managers or landlords. This can be frustrating for property owners, managers, security companies, and law enforcement personnel. Being proactive in addressing issues as they occur is integral to the security and well-being of a community or business.

A report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics cites that approximately 3,000,000 violent crimes go unreported every year. Non-violent crimes that are unreported have even greater numbers. Why is it, then, that a lot of people fail to report crime as it occurs? According to the Bureau’s report, concerns about the criminal justice system and personal reasons dominated the rationale. Many people also fear reprisal for filing reports. Whatever the reason, failing to be proactive in immediately reporting criminal behavior can have serious consequences to the safety of your community or business.

We are entering that time of year where the “hot and bothered” phenomenon manifests, a condition in our industry that characterizes the statistical trend between warmer weather and increased criminal behavior. Summer months bring about more activity, and the #1 offensive maneuver that can be taken, but often isn’t, is to be proactive in reporting crime, disturbances and suspicious behavior, as it occurs.

At North Coast Patrol, we encourage our customers to phone our dispatch to report activity; we will even field anonymous calls if a caller doesn’t want to disclose their identity. We also provide a method for our customers to file online reports via our website. Most law enforcement agencies will take anonymous calls or tips as well.

The bottom line is: Don’t wait to report. If you are witnessing an emergency or crime in progress, dial 911. If you are an NCP customer, please also notify our office via the methods noted above. We’re always here to help.

You be safe, San Diego!

Gary

Over the past year, we’ve noted an upward trend in customer concerns regarding the challenges they are experiencing with homeless individuals loitering, camping, or using facilities and amenities without authorization. You may find it surprising to learn that in 2015, out of all other cities/counties in the nation, San Diego City/County ranked as having the 4th largest homeless population, according to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The Assessment estimates that there are nearly 9,000 homeless in our area. These statistics are troubling, to say the least, and the lack of  accessible shelters and public housing partly explains in many instances why we see homeless individuals seeking refuge on private property.

What is Trespassing in California?

If not addressed, the homeless can affect the quality of life in your community or business. Striking the balance between preserving your property rights and being compassionate and humane regarding this issue can be challenging at times. While being homeless is not a crime, trespassing is, and having a functional understanding of California’s trespass laws is integral in approaching the problem. Section 602 of the California Penal Code provides an exhaustive list of various forms of trespass. Basically, in its most elementary form,  “trespass” is defined as entering the property of another without permission or right to do so. For our purposes, section 602(o) PC pertaining to private property trespass, is applicable. The elements required to prosecute under this section are,

(1) A Peace Officer must ask the individual in question to leave; OR

(2) The Owner or Owner’s Agent must ask the individual in question to leave

**Note: If the individual refuses to leave after being asked to do so, or subsequently returns to the property after being asked to leave, a trespass violation exists. If an individual voluntarily complies to leave after being asked to do so, a trespass arrest is typically not possible unless other crimes have been committed.

What else can you do to deter homeless trespass?

One of the most basic and fundamental approaches in deterring this problem is by taking steps to ensure your property isn’t inadvertently enabling the activity. Consider these tips:

• Posting your property properly with “No Trespassing” signs, citing section 602 of the Penal Code, is helpful. Post them at the entrances to your property, pool facility gates, and at other major recreational areas, if applicable. A property that is appropriately posted aids in the prosecution of trespass to prove “intent” in committing the crime.
• Lock and secure dumpsters and recyclable receptacles after hours.
• Avoid offering food or money
• Lock and secure power outlets, water spigots (remove handles), gates, and restroom doors.
• Avoid allowing trash, shopping carts, or personal belongings from being accumulated on the property. Promptly have such removed.
• Cut back shrubbery and foliage growth to prevent hiding places.
• File ‘Letter of Agency’ authorizations with your local law enforcement that will authorize them to arrest for trespass on your behalf.
• Employ a private security service to conduct patrols through your property. Most individuals will move along to other areas to camp after they realize they are being inconvenienced too many times in being directed to leave.

What do you do if you see an unauthorized person on your property?

You can either phone the police, your security service, or you, as an owner or owner’s agent, can ask the individual to leave. Never place yourself at risk, and do not insert yourself into a situation that has the potential to be dangerous. If the individual in question appears to be combative or violent, immediately dial 911, and then phone your security service.

North Coast Patrol is committed to assisting you with such challenges. If you have any questions, or would like to brainstorm solutions for your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Be safe, San Diego!

Gary

The dramatic temperature fluctuations in San Diego have been giving me whiplash lately. Prior to this week, the cold temperatures we had been experiencing throughout San Diego kept us bundled up inside the comfort of our homes. Unfortunately, the cold does not deter the criminal element from looking for the next opportunity. A few weeks ago, I foolishly forgot to shut my garage door and woke up the next morning to find that my vehicle had been rifled through. Thankfully, I have a compulsive habit of ensuring that all valuables are removed from my vehicle when I arrive home. As such, the would-be bandit walked away that night empty-handed. Nevertheless, I was still disturbed by the incident, as anyone would be. I was forgetful that day and let my guard down, and it reminded me that we all need to be on our best game, all the time, with our home security habits because there’s always someone lurking to take full advantage of our innocent oversights.

We typically see a spike in both vehicle and home burglaries just before and after the holidays. Did you know that according to FBI statistics a burglary takes place approximately every 18-19 seconds? 1 minute or less is typically the amount of time it takes for a criminal to break into most homes. Likewise, 1 minute is about the most amount of time a burglar will spend trying to break into a home before moving on. What does this tell us? Making your dwelling more physically difficult to compromise makes criminals work harder, spend more time, and deters them to move on to more opportunistic targets. In addition to what you are already doing for your home security, here are some additional tips that you may find worthy of consideration:

• Secure all of your windows with secondary locking devices.  Additionally, since approximately 60% of home burglaries occur during the daytime, only allow your windows to remain open no more than 5″ for ventilation when you are home.
• Have two (2) locks on all of your doors.
• Invest in an alarm system.
• Install exterior light timers to turn on in response to motion, or to randomly turn on at various intervals.
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Doing so will make it difficult for criminals to go unnoticed by neighbors or passersby.  Additionally, remove tree branches that are near windows.
• Do not allow newspapers to accumulate on your porch.
• Secure your vehicle and house keys with you in your bedroom while you sleep. Never leave copies under your doormat, in a potted plant, or in your mailbox.
• Consider leaving interior lights or television on when you are away.
• Do not make mention on social media that you are away from your home or on vacation.
• Do not leave notes on your door that may tip off a would-be criminal that you’re not home. (ie. notes to postal delivery service, etc.)
• Speak to all unknown visitors through a locked door. Consider a peep hole if your door does not have one.
• Empty boxes for high-end electronics equipment should be cut up and placed in garbage bags. Don’t discard them on your curb to advertise what you have in your home.
• Always shut your garage door when you come home, or at a minimum make it a nightly part of your routine to check it before going to bed.
• Ensure your vehicles are locked and all valuables removed, even when parked within an enclosed garage.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of tips and recommendations, but they may be food for thought as a starting point when considering any potential vulnerabilities in your home security.  The San Diego Sheriff Department offers this checklist for your use in assessing the home security of your dwelling.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Best wishes,

Gary Rice