It’s been a busy summer for the Seven Isles HOA Board of Directors, who usually do not meet over the summer but have been quite busy. In July and August, we have transitioned to the new security company, SIG9 Global to Seven Isles. You can read about and see all of the guards as well as the leadership of SIG9 Global on the Seven Isles HOA security webpage at sevenisleshoa.com/security.
Two services are distinctly different between SIG9 Global and our former security company, Admiral. SIG9 guards are equipped with and trained to produce electronic reporting throughout their shifts, with data then being shared daily with the HOA. This reporting system allows us to consistently track all the services that are being provided by the guards, including when and where they are patrolling the streets; when they are stationed in the guardhouse; what houses they are assisting with gate and garage door closings or delivery package relocations; when and how other security concerns are being addressed; and documentation of which guards are one which shifts and what days.
You may have noticed a change in guardhouse occupancy with the implementation of SIG9 Global services. Formerly, guards were primarily stationed in the guardhouse, with street patrols occurring once per hour. At SIG9’s recommendation, this pattern was reinvented effective July 1 and refined over the past 60 days, with guards spending much more time effectively patrolling the streets, while only occupying the guardhouse during heavy traffic periods, such as morning and evening hours.
There are 2 key reasons for this recommended change: 1) Our guardhouse security cameras record vehicles coming into and out of the neighborhood without the need to be manned by a guard. On countless occasions, the Ft Lauderdale police have been able to use our camera footage to identify persons and vehicles that are suspected of criminal activity, meaning that the cameras provide great retrospective value. Even if a guard were sitting in the guardhouse watching the camera footage, it is unlikely he/she would know a vehicle or its driver was suspicious. 2) Since our guards cannot stop every car that comes onto Seven Isles Drive, having a guard sit in the guardhouse the bulk of each shift is counterproductive, when that guard can be patrolling the entire neighborhood on a continual basis. There are, of course, exceptions based on shift needs, such as overnight shifts, when guardhouse duty becomes more vigilant. SIG9 Global’s guards are trained to make appropriate decisions about their security presence, and then report their continued whereabouts with backup rationale.
Overall, SIG9 Global has provided good service during the months of July and August, and we look forward to their continued diligence. As a reminder, only members who support the security fund with the $300 quarterly membership payment are entitled to the individualized home-watch service that SIG9 provides, such as moving delivered packages to a safer location on your property, closing gates, alerting homeowners to open garage doors or workers in the yard, and providing enhanced vigilance if homeowners are on vacation and have requested a home-watch. Our HOA security fund members are designated by a blue lawn sign and a 2021 red sticker.
Please note that SIG9 guards are not responsible to move garbage cans from the street to your home. We do not have the capacity to provide this convenience service for 300 homes. Rather, it is the security guard’s duty to ensure that all streets receive an equal and effective amount of street patrolling.
What do you think of the services being provided by SIG9 Global? Feel free to share your thoughts with us via the HOA email at hoa.sevenisles@gmail.com.