Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Re: Garages/security concerns

[Elizabeth Stevenson (tamgoddess]

We are similarly situated, with similar density, and carports instead of
garages. We've had far fewer incidents of vandalism, though. I think our
neighborhood is much more stable, however. It is working class, for the most
part. 

We have locked storage in the carports for every family, and several bike
sheds attached to the outside of buildings. These have heavy-duty locks on
them, as bikes are pretty much the main item that gets stolen. Bike sheds,
IMO, shouldn't ever be cut from the budget. I've never heard of a group that
was happy about not having them.

We have a security detail that goes around every night and checks all the
locks on the sheds and the commonhouse. (I suspect this doesn't get done as
much in winter, when the only people who are riding bikes are adults, and
checking the sheds is cold work.) Everyone must take a turn doing security,
unless they are physically unable to do so. We have a baton that gets passed
on, and it must be done in person, so that there is never a question of who
is doing it.

We've had a few thefts from the CH, due to it being unlocked during the day
at some point. We now have automatically locking doors at both entrances, so
that someone leaving the CH doesn't need to have a key to lock up. We also
have doors that don't auto lock, so you can't get locked out of the CH with
your keys inside. Well, unless you're kinda stupid. I'm pretty sure I've
done it.

We have outdoor motion-detecting lights, and one in the CH as well. That's
about it for the physical stuff.

We have several members who are active in the local neighborhood
association. I'd highly recommend it for your group, or start one up if
there isn't one. Mayors and boards of supes listen to neighborhood
associations, and when you are on a first name basis with people, they get
stuff done. Talk to the local constabulary and make sure they know who you
are. Have the non-emergency number handy, and report any and all crimes.
Your police department assigns units according to how much crime is
reported, not how much actually happens.

Getting out and getting involved in the greater neighborhood will make you
more a known quantity and less of a target. There is a tendency to circle
the wagons when you feel under siege, but reaching out makes it better in
the long run.

-- 
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, California
lilbert [at] comcast.net

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> From: "Fleck" <foam4u [at] worldnet.att.net>
> Reply-To: Developing cohousing - collaborative housing communities
> <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 17:24:14 -0800
> To: "Developing cohousing - collaborative housing communities"
> <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
> Subject: RE: [C-L]_ Re: Garages
> 
> I haven't seen this addressed so thought I'd chime in.
> 
> At Jackson Place (central Seattle) we have 2 levels of underground parking
> under the common house (we're on a steep hill). 27 units on 1.25 acres with
> one parking space each. This garage cost about $1 million dollars (Yes,
> 1,000,000!). Each space has an adjoining open storage space approx 6'x6' and
> there's a large bike work room/storage space. A few people have enclosed
> their storage with cabinets. Most members get through the common house every
> day for some reason - even though it's over in the corner of the property.
> 
> We're in a "marginal" neighborhood. We displaced a lot of junkies,
> prostitutes, homeless panhandlers, etc when we started building. We know
> we're being watched pretty much all the time.
> There's been on-street car vandalism and theft and some graffftti.
> 
> The garages have been targeted 4 TIMES in the last 2 years for robbery.
> Attempted break-ins have also occurred (broken door handles & crow-barred
> protective panels) Four (2 from the garage) cars have been stolen and at
> least 3 bikes, various electronic stuff people were storing and lots of
> camping gear. We've spent thousands upgrading our security, locks, lights,
> etc. Never has a window been broken - the cops say these guys don't like
> cuts or noise.
> 
> No one has been injured and all cars were recovered in fairly good
> condition. Bye-bye bikes. Our workshop is in the middle of the project and
> hasn't been touched. We're not being specificly attacked. There's an unusual
> amount of crime happening right now as the neighborhood changes from vacant
> lots to a better residential/business environment.
> 
> I'd recommend that urban cohousing groups include a line item in their
> budget for security enhancements. And I'd recommend they plan on some kind
> of storage for each household. (We cut the cost of built-out storage lockers
> as a budget savings).
> 
> I'd also be interested in hearing about other groups real solutions to
> similar crime problems.
> 
> Thansk and good luck,
> Anne
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cohousing-l-bounces [at] cohousing.org
> [mailto:cohousing-l-bounces [at] cohousing.org]On Behalf Of James Kacki
> Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 4:21 PM
> To: Developing cohousing - collaborative housing communities
> Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Re: Garages
> 
> 
> I agree, a workshop is very necessary.  But if the workshop is packed
> with a car (i.e. a garage) its not a very efficient workshop. And
> co-housing is about alternate communities, not -'same old -same old', so
> I would tend not to include garages , especially suburban-style attached
> garages.  But I suppose its up to each community to decide for
> themselves.  freedom of choice.  All the best!
> James
> 
> Sharon Villines wrote:
>> On 2/12/04 2:45 PM, "Elizabeth Stevenson" <tamgoddess [at] comcast.net> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>> This is a no-brainer. Every community should have a workshop! I have seen
>>> many bigger than ours, but even a small indoor space is essential for some
>>> projects. It's also great for the contractors who come to do major
> projects.
>> 
>> 
>> Our workshop has been used many times by contractors who are doing
> building
>> for units. They use it for construction of bookshelves and cabinets,
>> painting, sawing, etc. Also to store their tools so they don¹t have to
> pick
>> up every night when they leave.
>> 
>> I had a full wall of bookshelves built in and they were cheaper because
> the
>> cabinetmaker could set up equipment in the workshop to do the final
> trimming
>> of the molding rather than going back and forth to his studio or having to
>> bring an assistant because he had to set up a miter(?) saw in the parking
>> lot and couldn't leave it unattended.
>> 
>> Sharon
> 
> 
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