SECURITY PATROL/ DUES INCREASE PROPOSAL

 

Cheviot Hills remains one of the safer neighborhoods in Los Angeles; however, we are not immune to crime. The Cheviot Hills Home Owners' Association wants to be pro-active in keeping our homes and families safe.  As such, the board is considering adding a security patrol service as part of the membership benefit.  This would be in-line with many of our other neighboring communities, who have used security patrol services for years.

 

The board evaluated several different security patrol companies and, after much thought, has identified APS Security & Patrol ("APS") as the preferred vendor.  In addition to being financially viable, APS has many selling points, including:

 

• APS has been in business over ten years (Since 1997) and has been servicing the California Country Club Homes Association since 2003.

 

• All of APS patrol vehicles are dedicated to the area between Pico Boulevard (N), La Cienega Boulevard (E), National Boulevard (S), and Overland Avenue (W).

 

• APS employees must pass background checks from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and California Department of Justice; all employees are licensed, bonded, and insured.

 

• APS provides 24 hour services, 365 days a year.

 

• APS has an excellent working relationship with our LAPD West LA Station.

 

Through an association-paid patrol program, members would receive the following services:

 

• 8 patrols within Cheviot Hills per day; each patrol lasting approximately 30 – 40 minutes and would cover all the streets in our neighborhood.

 

• A sign for your property, indicating that you are covered by the APS patrol service.

 

• Access to a 24/7 security response car if an emergency arises at your residence; non-members would not be able to call for assistance through this service.

 

• An opportunity to fully bundle your existing security system with the neighborhood patrols (additional fees apply for alarm system monitoring).

 

In order to pay for these services, the association would need to raise dues to $70 per year.  If we maintain the existing membership levels, this dues increase would fully support the security patrol services being considered.  To put it in perspective, the dues increase means that these services would be available for less than 10¢ per day!

 

The board intends to vote in favor of increasing dues and adding a security patrol service at our next board meeting.  As always, we welcome feedback from the Community.  Please attend our next board meeting (January 9, 2008) to discuss this matter or email our security chair at crime@cheviothills.org.