The issue of neighborhood security has come up at the last two HOA meetings, and the HOA board is planning to take a survey of how much homeowner’s are willing to pay for increased security. The survey will be reaching all homeowners via mail, but below is a sneak peek at what it includes:

Security Survey – High Point HOA Members

Dear Fellow Homeowners: We are writing to you to ask for your input into the question of whether you think additional security is needed at High Point and how you feel about contributing to the cost of providing security. At the last 2 HOA meetings the topic of security has been raised as a concern. The board decided that input from homeowners would be useful for the board to have in order to make a decision about whether to add security at a cost to the HOA. It will be the board’s decision.

Here are some relevant facts for you to consider:

• Currently, the HP HOA does not pay for the private security firm that patrols our neighborhood in the evenings. The cost, approximately $90,000 per year, is covered by the partnership that operates the rental housing. The per hour cost is $22, $11 of which is paid to the security employee.
• If we add security funded, at least in part, by the HOA, the cost would likely result in raising the monthly assessments anywhere from $8.00 per household to $20.00 or more, depending on the type and extent of the coverage. 
• Additional coverage might involve hiring Seattle Police Dept. (“SPD”) officers for 4 or 5 hour shifts 2 to 4 times per week or it might involve increasing private security by adding an additional person or more shifts to patrol High Point. SPD officers are more expensive per hour (approx $60/hour) than private security ($22/hour), allowing for more coverage by private security for less money. On the other hand, SPD officers are better trained and would likely strengthen our connection with the SW Precinct.
• If the HOA board decides to add to our current coverage (paid for by the rental housing partnership) by hiring an SPD officer for two 4-5 hour shifts per week, it would cost approximately $8 - $10 per household. Obviously, the same funds could purchase more hours of private security.

Please let us know your thoughts on the following:

1. Are you willing to pay for additional security by way of your HOA assessment? Yes/No
2. If the answer to the 1st question is yes, do you favor hiring SPD or additional private security? SPD / Private Security / Combination of the 2 / Doesn’t Matter
3. If the answer to the 1st question is yes, among the choices below, how much would you be willing to pay by way of an increased HOA assessment? $8 per month / $10 per month / $15 per month / $?? per month
4. Addiontional Comments?
5. Address of your home at High Point?
6. Name & Phone Number (Optional)?

E-mail response to: pankowb@msn.com!

Thanks for your help!