I read with astonishment the new PT newsletter with the banner headline ''PT Board Approves Video Surveillance System.''
What happened to the public meeting for all homeowners to have input on such a large ($10,000) expenditure? I am not disputing the board's ability to vote on such a measure - but the contradiction of sending out a survey, stating there will be consideration given to an open meeting - and then none is called gives the impression that the board feels it is not accountable to its neighbors.
''Big Brother'' is now watching over us whether we like it or not - and to the tune of $10,000 for a system of questionable capabilities. If the board has doubts based on a demonstration - why did they vote for the expenditure - wouldn't it have been more prudent to wait until the company could clearly demonstrate that it had functional equipment that could work at night - a time when most serious crimes occur? This decision to give a company money upfront and then see if they can make equipment work smacks of New Orleans politics at its worst.
And how is this company to know which vehicles belong in PT?
Will we be forced to register our license plate numbers and those of our guests and family members with some outside company? Please note, I do not wish to be include to be included; I do not want my license plates published on any list to be used in any manner; in addition, I wish my name removed from the PT phone book. I have grave concerns about this information being misused. If I find such information has been appropriated by anyone for personal gain, I will consider it a violation of my right to privacy and hold the board accountable. I do not wish to be included in a ''Log book'' of arrival and departures.
Please inform me as soon as possible as to:
Who will keep this private information and what safeguards are in place for its use?
Who will this company report to? What information will be included in the reports?
What is the track record of this ''Surveillance Company?' Have their personnel undergone a security check by the police. Are those with criminal records barred from working for this company? Who at this company will have access to when homeowners have left the subdivision and subsequently when their homes are unoccupied? Have these issued been addressed by the board? If so, I think a supplement the newsletter is in order so that we will all know (and not just the board) who exactly is ''watching over us!''
What violent crime spree in PT convinced the board that such drastic measures were necessary?
I believe all homeowners deserve the courtesy of answers to these questions before we are subjected to this surveillance?
I personally am outraged that $10,000 of homeowners money is being spent on an a system that by your published account, still needs a lot of work. You admit the board was unsatisfied, yet voted overwhelmingly to spend the money. WHY???????
Please put my email on the PT website - and forward it to all current board members.I think you will find that many other homeowners will have the same concerns.
Please note: I would like to know as soon as possible, how I can be removed from any and all such lists. Do I need a legal document to be removed from participation in the ''Surveillance Project.'' This is afterall Park Timbers, a community of neighbors, not vigilantes - this is not ''the project''
Glenn, I have always admired your reasonable, thoughtful approach, to issues of concern in PT. WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
Barbara Sillery
Barbara Sillery
By Barbara Sillery
What happened to the public meeting for all homeowners to have input on such a large ($10,000) expenditure? I am not disputing the board's ability to vote on such a measure - but the contradiction of sending out a survey, stating there will be consideration given to an open meeting - and then none is called gives the impression that the board feels it is not accountable to its neighbors.
''Big Brother'' is now watching over us whether we like it or not - and to the tune of $10,000 for a system of questionable capabilities. If the board has doubts based on a demonstration - why did they vote for the expenditure - wouldn't it have been more prudent to wait until the company could clearly demonstrate that it had functional equipment that could work at night - a time when most serious crimes occur? This decision to give a company money upfront and then see if they can make equipment work smacks of New Orleans politics at its worst.
And how is this company to know which vehicles belong in PT?
Will we be forced to register our license plate numbers and those of our guests and family members with some outside company? Please note, I do not wish to be include to be included; I do not want my license plates published on any list to be used in any manner; in addition, I wish my name removed from the PT phone book. I have grave concerns about this information being misused. If I find such information has been appropriated by anyone for personal gain, I will consider it a violation of my right to privacy and hold the board accountable. I do not wish to be included in a ''Log book'' of arrival and departures.
Please inform me as soon as possible as to:
Who will keep this private information and what safeguards are in place for its use?
Who will this company report to? What information will be included in the reports?
What is the track record of this ''Surveillance Company?' Have their personnel undergone a security check by the police. Are those with criminal records barred from working for this company? Who at this company will have access to when homeowners have left the subdivision and subsequently when their homes are unoccupied? Have these issued been addressed by the board? If so, I think a supplement the newsletter is in order so that we will all know (and not just the board) who exactly is ''watching over us!''
What violent crime spree in PT convinced the board that such drastic measures were necessary?
I believe all homeowners deserve the courtesy of answers to these questions before we are subjected to this surveillance?
I personally am outraged that $10,000 of homeowners money is being spent on an a system that by your published account, still needs a lot of work. You admit the board was unsatisfied, yet voted overwhelmingly to spend the money. WHY???????
Please put my email on the PT website - and forward it to all current board members.I think you will find that many other homeowners will have the same concerns.
Please note: I would like to know as soon as possible, how I can be removed from any and all such lists. Do I need a legal document to be removed from participation in the ''Surveillance Project.'' This is afterall Park Timbers, a community of neighbors, not vigilantes - this is not ''the project''
Glenn, I have always admired your reasonable, thoughtful approach, to issues of concern in PT. WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
Barbara Sillery
Barbara Sillery
By Barbara Sillery