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F E B R U A R Y , 2 0 1 8
MANAGEMENT
TRENDS
Keeping Your Community Secure
By Elaine Warga-Murray, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
RMG, Regency Management Group, Inc., AAMC
M
anagers have a responsibility to secure the
safety and well being of the communities they
manage. The two main areas of concern are
always the condition of physical property and financial
stability. Keeping that in mind, management protocol typ-
ically includes procedures for ensuring that the community
components are secure and maintained in ways that allow
the well-being of the community residents, the physical envi-
ronment, and the fiscal assets. In plain English, establish
methods for minimizing potential damage to people and
property. There is also the issue of securing data that rests
with management firms, however, this article will address
the routine aspects that every manager must address for
safety.
Physical property concerns include the follow-
ing categories:
• Ingress and Egress – Every community must provide the
ability to safely enter and/or leave the community, indi-
vidual homes, common facilities etc. This includes keep-
ing sight lines open, keeping concrete and pavement
trip free, and free of hazards. This includes providing
ice melt and keeping shrubs trimmed. Accessible access
to public spaces and maintaining appropriate pathways
for safe and ease of access.
• Storm conditions – This includes minimizing hazards that
can occur with heavy winds, heavy rain and icy conditions.
Some items to consider include, removing tree branches
that overhang or are near buildings or over parking areas;
repairing trip hazards due to water runoff (such as gutters
that empty onto driveways or walkways); inspecting and
repairing any uneven pavement of walkway surfaces;
removing dead trees; repairing serious drainage problems
of standing water; keeping storm sewers clear and updat-
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CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 32
ing storm sewer grates with tighter grids; providing ice melt;
installing slip free surfaces on inclines; installing slip free
surfaces for entry into all common facilities; scheduling roof
inspections before winter and spring storm seasons; estab-
lishing procedures for ice storms with under two inches of
accumulation.
• Fire safety – Maintaining a protocol to minimize condi-
tions that may lead to fire. Enforce dryer vent cleaning;
enforce fireplace inspections; prohibit exterior storage
near buildings; enforce gas grill restrictions; do not store
large files of paper in sheds and other common areas;
do not store gasoline in maintenance building garag-
es; enforce cleanup of oil leaks on parking areas and
restrict smoking areas.
• Leaks – Water issues can be caused by both plumb-
ing issues and roof issues, as well as drainage
issues.
For plumbing issues
, enforce new codes for burst
"In plain English, establish
methods for minimizing potential
damage to people and property."