Beauregard ALERT! e-mail thread

From: Chris McCannell [mailto:mccannell2003@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, 21 February, 2008 11:47

Subject: Re: Beauregard ALERT!

While I understand your concern I lived in the Lincoln across the street, we had that system where everyone had to take the elevator to get to the floors above and couldn't use the stairs. It worked well in the four years I was there.

As far as a neighborhood watch, I am less inclined to work on that and more inclined to see about moving out the barber shop, Ethiopian rest and "gallery". Or get them to improve their signage, lighting, etc. We should also work closer with the Metropolitan Police Department and with our elected officials to get them to patrol more. We also though have to face reality, if we want to protect our investment and our personal security we need to revisit the front desk situation.

all of these crimes are public records and are easily searched by anyone who wants to buy in this building. The sale of condos at a lower price or a depreciation of value because of further crime affect all of us.

And if you think it is something that will happen only in the future you're wrong. With the conforming loan limit rising to approx $725k and rates falling, the comparable values and sale prices is critical for anyone this year who is considering a re-fi.

We can't control what is happening in the housing market and housing prices, but we can control the safety and quality of our building.

In fact I moved one block from 12th street to 11th, and the feeling that DC varies "block by block" has never been truer. Look at Harrison Square and our neighbors on 12th, they don't seem to have the problems that we have been having.

The Licoln Condo and 2020 Lofts both buildings not as "high end" as ours have not had the break ins, vandalism, and other issues affecting us.

We need to think about enhancing our security, and if that means more front desk coverage than we need to take a vote on that.

The other issue, which I know Brandon is workign on, is not only protecting our liability of the construction next door, but also encouraging as smooth relations as possible with those neighbors. The more people who move into our block the better it will become, and the safer and more eyes and ears will be around. chris

From: Eleanor Graves redteapot@gmail.com
To:
Re: Beauregard ALERT!

Thank you Chris, Angelo, and Brandon.I have an issue with locking any access to the stairwell especially from the garage. I'm thinking about a situation where it would be desirable to get away from someone in the garage. This is a concern women think about all the time. The elevator wouldn't be fast enough. A locked stairwell wouldn't be fast enough either, fumbling with fobs etc. I'm sorry to bring up this horrible topic, but this is a real concern. There are, as yet, no plans to install cameras in the garage, right? And if we don't have someone at the desk 24 hours who could respond to the situation, there isn't much point in cameras. (I support 24 hour coverage.)Also, I don't know how this would work in a neighborhood of condominiums, but I think we should look into setting up a neighborhood watch (or become involved if one is already established.) This would harness a larger awareness beyond this building. Including the surrounding blocks and building better neighborhood relations would help. Here is a blurb from http://www.ehow.com/how_135606_set-neighborhood-watch.html about neighborhood watch. More information about what is involved at the above website:The idea behind a neighborhood watch is to educate private citizens on how to recognize and report suspicious activities while promoting better community relations. Neighborhood watch members serve as extra eyes and ears for the police and channel information between neighbors and law enforcement officials in their efforts to thwart crime.As a building, we already do this. But there is only so much we can do in the building, which is of course, worthwhile. To explore the interests and needs of the buildings and homes around us would create a good sized network focused on security and neighborhood improvement. Maybe the Ethiopian restaurant et al would be more useful neighborhood watch members than outcasts. Maybe.Eleanor#406

On Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 9:56 PM, Walsh, M. Brandon <Michael.Walsh@jacobs.com> wrote:
Chris --

I think these points are great and I'm glad you've taken the initiative to alert us all of this new vandalism. After the break ins over the summer, the detective who came to our building said the best thing to do was to be active in engaging things like this immediately just like this.

The following is a list of current progress on the items you mentioned... don't forget that Angelo Bouselli has put a lot of time into these items, too.

He's working with CSI on security upgrade options, and we'll compare this to 24 hour front desk security -- or some sort of hybrid option including both. Main area of concern at this point is the back so we may have additional motion sensing lights installed in addition. We believe CSI will be the most cost effective company since they installed systems and wiring during initial construction.

talked to Delbe last week about removing the graffitti from 3 areas -- ~$975 proposal! Before we commit we're looking for a better price, or to have RObertson chip in since it happened during construction.

regarding the broken window -- We'll get in touch with Delbe and Robertson tonight via email and tomorrow morning we'll follow up with a few phone calls to have it taken care of asap.

More fob security points have been discussed, including to get access to elevators from the garage, and at entrances to corridors from firestairs. Locking of stairwells will have to be coordinated with state and local fire codes, but I think locking of doors or creating additional fob points at entry to corriors from stairs is a great idea and should work since you can still exit the building to the rear. New installations of fob points should automatically be set up remotely by computer so there shouldn't be any need to exchange fobs,etc. This will likely be included with the security upgrade cost.

Dumpster option was brought up last week and current conditions don't accomodate a dumpster. However, we requested space requirements and once we get those we will look to re-design an area to accomodate a dumpster. No illegal dumping signs will be installed referencing our upgraded security to prevent future illegal dumping.

We've hired a new, more active building manager inside Delbe RE, terminated our contract with the terrible landscaping company and hired a new one, hired a company to perform exterior cleaning of the building a few times per year (our regular cleaning company will clean reachable areas on a regular basis), and a company to assist with the transition from Robertson Development to the Association. This company will also perform a check of the building's structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that will need to pass inspection before handing off to us.

I think engaging Jim Graham is a great idea, too. we should try to influence future plans in our immediate neighborhood.





-----Original Message-----
From: Chris McCannell
Subject: Beauregard ALERT!

It seems like unit 106 has been vandalized and the window on the alley has been broken.

I don't think they should have left the lights on in the unit in the first place, but the greater issue is we need to come together as a building and get this security situation in hand

cars have been repeatedly broken into
numerous apartments have been broken into, one as recently as a few weeks ago
there is graffitti in the stairway in the back entrance.

Many residents have gotten security systems to protect their property

My partner and I have lived in this neighborhood for the past five years and security is a major concern. While the neighborhood is getting better, I am concerned that it is not nearly as safe, as our lack of security in this building reflects.

We need to come together as a group and protect not only our investment and our houses, but our personal belongings. We are at a critical point, the "broken window therory" is that people see that they can do things to our building and to our belongings and no security enhancements have been undertaken. This makes it more likely that something else will happen in the future.

We need to discuss first and foremost:

expanding front desk services (perhaps 24 hours for the first year or so)? I know this is expensive, but many of us are paying monthly alarm fees, and other protections. It seems like if it means $50 more a month, to have someone here it is well worth it.

If we don;t do 24 hour coverage, we need to do coverage until at least 11 PM and maybe 24 hours on the weekend.

We need to lock all stairways so they do not open from the garage to the first floor.

We need to put a key fob access point on the elevator in the garage.

We need to eliminate the grafitti in the stairway

we need to get a "dumpster" to replace the trash cans, and put signs that clearly state no dumping (to eliminate the neighbors who put trash in our trash cans).

We also need to engage our councilman, Jim Graham and our Mayor Adrian Fenty. The block adjacent to the building should attempt to be rezoned into residential to get the barber shop and the Ethiopian Restaurant, and "Gallery" removed. In addition the vacant car in the back yard adjacent to our building needs to be moved and the alley needs to be security enhanced (motion lights, camera, etc.)

This may sound formidible, but as a group we can do it, we have the knowledge, resources and commitment to this neighborhood, we need to take matters into our own hands and start making this a safer and better place.

Brandon has done a great job leading us so far, but he needs help

Lets get together and talk about how we can make the Beauregard a safer and better community.

Chris McCannell
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