SAFEGUARDING THE CASTLE:
“The Wall”
is a colossal fortification which stretches for 300 miles along the
northern border of the Seven Kingdoms in HBO’s television series Game of Thrones. The Wall is reported to be over 700 feet tall and is made of solid ice to defend the realm. A wall of this magnitude, fit with its archers and burning barrels of oil, could certainly provide a secure environment for your community association. But what if you want to go beyond the wall? Or have guests come inside the wall? Weighing security against convenience is ever more critical, given the increasing trends toward violence including active shootings and home invasions. This article will discuss some best practices in regards to common security concerns that impact community associations including electronic access control systems, key control, video surveillance, physical security, door staff and security personnel, and resident education and teamwork, which may affect convenience but will improve your community association’s defenses.
ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
Many community associations still use mechanical lock and keys for base building and common areas. Mechanical locks and keys do not provide a restriction of the key holder to specific times or dates. Further, they do not provide records of the key used on any specific door and the keys can be easily copied or transferred to an unauthorized person. When a mechanical key or master key is lost, or the key holder is no longer authorized to use the protected area, the locks must be re-keyed. In a master key system, re-keying could be a significant cost to the community association. An electronic access control system can be implemented with system-connected proximity/keypad readers to allow for documented use of the property by residents and
20 | COMMON INTEREST®
visitors, and can be a replacement to the mechanical lock and key systems. If the access control database is properly updated and maintained, community associations can track the activity of key fob holders and archive this information.
isitors and can be a replacement to the mechanical lo KEY CONTROL
Lock bumping is a recent trend in burglaries, which can make it easy and fast to break into homes without needing special equipment or leaving any trace of forced entry. To reduce the risk of lock bumping or keys ending up in the wrong hands, consider the following procedures: Do not provide any internal key cutting services. If you currently provide key cutting services, stop and dispose of the key cutting machine and all related key blanks. Contract with a third-party locksmith to install high security lock cylinders throughout the community association and provide service to residents. Eliminate the use of common area keys by residents. All common areas should be controlled through an electronic access control system. Discontinue the use of master keys. Implement an electronic key tracker system to securely store and track key activity. All copies of resident keys should be maintained in the key tracker system. Develop, document and enforce a key control policy for all community association staff.
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
In Game of Thrones, council member Varys was reputed to be aware of everything going on in King’s Landing, through his
A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60