INFORMATION CENTER COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

The Board of Directors approved a motion to create the Cascades Information Center Committee, with three (and potential expansion to five) appointed resident members. The Committee will have the mission of:

1. coordinating the dissemination of information to Cascades residents
2. identifying communication conduits missing or needing improvements, and
3. developing plans and recommendations to increase the effectiveness of all communications to and from residents. 

Creating a committee with a focused mission should place the proper emphases on improving coordinated lines of communication. Some of the tasks that the committee will address include:

1. developing a ‘Fast Track’ process for communicating time critical and emergency information to residents;
2. evaluating the current effectiveness of the Cascades website to determine if resources should be expended to dramatically improve the site or if another existing site should be adopted, and how ‘links’ and a forum on the website could be used to benefit our residents, etc.;
3. assuring information is posted and discontinued on a timely basis;
4. assuring information disseminated to residents is accurate, consistent and timely so as to reduce rumors;
5. analyzing all current communications methods (including the website(s), Gazette, Channel 95, burst eMail distributions, quarterly newsletter, bulletin boards, the A-Frame notice board in the clubhouse front lobby, signage in common areas, special mailings, etc.) to recommend improvements to the Board;
6. investigating and recommending to the Board new approaches to improve communications, such as the purchase of a PolyCom (Star-phone) teleconferencing device to allow traveling residents to ‘call in’ to listen to Board meetings, etc.

This is only a partial list of what needs to be considered, so the task is large. This committee will be the coordination point (sort of the hub of the wheel) for all our communication channels to make sure the most efficient methods are used to disseminate information to residents in a timely manner, to facilitate expanding the amount of information in the pipelines, and to continuously improve our communications process. If you would like to be considered for appointment to this new committee, please contact Gary Haupt or Bob McDowell.

LAWN FERTILIZATION NOTICE

When Estate Landscaping goes through the community applying fertilizer, please do not run out to hose off the driveway. A man with a blower will follow shortly to clean the excess from the driveway. When you apply water the pellets that contain iron will be activated and black stains will result. Neither Estate nor the Association will be held responsible should you water this fertilizer and stain your pavers.                                                                                 Bob McDowell

AUDIO EQUIPMENT VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Anyone with knowledge of audio equipment who would like to volunteer to assist with the wireless microphones used at Board Meetings is asked to see Clement in the management office.                                                                                            Bob McDowell

ATTENTION CASCADES RESIDENTS

From Bob McDowell Association President

It is a recognized fact within Law Enforcement that whenever the economy turns downward crime rises.
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PROPERTY
1. Use your alarm system. This community pays $141,00 per year to monitor the alarms
    weather you use it or not.
2. Tell your neighbors when you will be away.
3. Photograph your valuables and save the photos to a disc.
4. MOST IMPORTANT...Get rid of those jewelery boxes. The burglar will go to the Master
   Bedroom immediately after gaining entry to your home and there it is right on top of the
   dresser waiting to be taken or cleaned out!!  There are many places where jewelry can
   be kept that will be just as convienant to use.

 INFO FROM PELICAN LANDING
As many of you are aware, there have been several auto and home break-in incidents in Pelican Landing recently. This is not exclusive to Pelican Landing as The Brooks, Bonita Bay, Coconut Shores, Meadowbrook, Eldorado, and Spring Creek have all had the same rash of break-ins. All the incidents in Pelican Landing involved unlocked cars and homes where the alarms were not set.

RESIDENTIAL SECURITY - BASIC TIPS
Compliments of the Lee County Crime Prevention Organization

Are exterior doors made of a solid core construction (including the door leading from the garage to the house)?

HINGE DOORS - The most common door type used in homes and apartments is the hinge door. It is important that all exterior doors be of solid wood core construction or steel clad doors. Avoid light gauge aluminum. Hollow core or composition board doors are not effective deterrents because they can be easily battered or bored. It is defeating the purpose of a good deadbolt lock to mount it on a hollow or foam core door.

HINGE PINS - If door hinges are exposed on the exterior of the door, non-removable hinge pins should be used. To prevent removal of a door that has removable hinge pins, you can employ a headless screw or nail. Drill two holes opposite each other in the center of both leaves of the hinge. Insert headless screw or nail into the leaf on the door frame side. Allow screw or nail to protrude ½ “. When the door is closed, the screw will engage the other hinge leaf.

Do your door frames fit snugly around your exterior doors?
DOOR FRAME - Inspect door frame and repair any splitting or rotting. Wooden frames should be at least 2” thick. If a hollow steel frame is used, the residual air space behind the frame should be filled with a crush-resistant material such as cement grout. This will prevent an intruder from wedging a crowbar between the door and frame to free the door. You can strengthen the frame by removing some of the short screws in the door hinges and replacing them with longer screws (at least 2”). Also use longer screws in the lock strike.

Is there a viewer on the front door?
PEEPHOLE VIEWER - The front door should have a wide-angle viewer (180 degree minimum) installed in it for easy viewing of visitors without opening the door. It is inexpensive and easy to install.

Are sliding glass doors secured with auxiliary locks or pinned?
SLIDING GLASS DOORS - Sliding glass doors are frequent points of entry for burglars. The locks they come equipped with can usually be quickly pried open. The doors can also be easily removed from their tracks unless they are properly secured.

To prevent removal of doors, install 1 1/4" pan head (large head) sheet metal screws in upper track at both ends and the middle so the frame clears the head of the screws. To secure a door in position, you can also drill a hole at a downward angle in the overlapping frames of the door at the top center. Then insert a steel pin or heavy nail.

There are different types of sliding glass door auxiliary locks that can be used but key operated locks usually offer the best security – especially those using a deadbolt or pin mechanism.

A metal bar that attaches to the side frame and fits across the middle of the sliding door, running parallel to the floor, can be used to prevent opening of the door.

Do you have jalousie door protection?
JALOUSIE DOORS--Jalousie doors are a poor security risk because a burglar can easily gain entry through them. The best solution is to replace them with solid wood core doors. If this is not feasible, the door can be covered on the inside with heavy gauge mesh, through-bolted to the door with carriage bolts.

Are your double doors secured?
DOUBLE DOORS--The inactive door can be secured by installing cane bolts on both the top and bottom of the door.

Are windows secured with auxiliary-keyed locks or pinned with a nail?
WINDOWS--All windows should be secured. Auxiliary–keyed locks should be used or a pin or nail should be used to prevent the window from being opened. If security concerns warrant it, the installation of security film coating should be considered.

Are all your outside doors equipped with adequate one-inch deadbolt locks?
LOCKS - Adequate locks should be installed. A locksmith should be consulted to determine the correct application for doors and windows. Do not rely on a chain latch for your entry doors. It is not a security device.

Does your shrubbery follow the 4-7 Rule?
LANDSCAPING--Landscaping decisions should be based on not hindering the visibility and natural surveillance of the residence from the road and neighboring homes. Shrubbery should be trimmed to no higher than 4 feet and tree limbs and branches no lower than 7 feet from the ground. Landscaping can provide hiding places for criminals. Certain thorny plantings near a window can reduce that area from being an entry point for a burglar.

Do exterior lights illuminate all entrances to your home?
LIGHTING--Properly placed lighting can be an effective deterrent to crime. Motion sensor light fixtures are effective, as well as those lighting systems that come on at night.

Is your alarm system routinely serviced/ maintained?
ALARM SYSTEMS--The installation, correct usage, maintenance, and monitoring of a home alarm system can improve residential security. Consult our office to obtain information about the requirements of the Lee County Alarm Ordinance. There are two types of intruder detection alarms, silent and audible. The basic purpose of an alarm device is to deter an intruder from entering your home and to alert law enforcement of an illegal entry.

Automobile Security
If your vehicle were burglarized right now, what would be stolen?

Your Cell Phone?
Your Stereo?
Your CD Collection?
Your Purse/Wallet?
Your Credit Card?
Your Check Book?
Your Driver's License?
Your Insurance Card?
Your Garage Door Opener?
Your Keys?
YOUR IDENTITY!

Three simple steps to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:
TAKE IT! - HIDE IT! - LOCK IT! (OR LOSE IT!)

Compliments of the Lee County Crime Prevention Organization
Lee County Sheriff’s Office offers a service they call “Just Doesn’t Look Right.”  If you see a vehicle that appears to be parked to observe or cruising slowly through the streets, trust your instincts!!  If it just doesn’t look right, call 774-1234.  Then the sheriff will respond and potentially stop the criminal activity that the person may have been planning.  If it ends up being nothing, it doesn’t cost us anything.  But it could prevent crime from occurring.