Page 3 - August 2018 NEWSWATCH

SHENANDOAH ESTATES CRIME PREVENTION AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD
• MEETING MINUTE •
Jones Creek Regional Library,
6222 Jones Creek Road, Baton Rouge, LA 7081 July 17, 2018 6:30 PM
Present: Commissioner Chester Welch, Chairman; Commissioner Jessica Berthelot, Vice Chairman; Commissioner Fred Godwin, Treasurer; Commissioner Tom Hirschey, Security Director; Commissioner Henry Grace, President SHA; Commissioner Diana Martin, Secretary; Commissioner Todd Hodges;and Commissioner Jack Ricau.
Absent: none
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Welch– 6:30 P.M.
Welcome visitors: Mrs. Sheri Morris, Legal Counsel: Mr. Jim Steele, Assistant District Attorney, Captain Robert Buquoi, EBRP Sheriff’s Department, and Ms Toni Scardina, Shenandoah Park resident. Three gentlemen , Mr. Darrel Tate, Mr. Larry Horacek, and Mr. Xavier Hoskins were recognized as attending with an interest in helping the Commission with future projects.
A discussion was held on the need to approve an amendment for the services of Mrs. Sheri Morris as the attorney representing the Board. A motion was made by Fred Godwin and seconded by Diana Martin to recognize her new attorney/law firm. Motion passed.
II. ROLL CALL – Diana Martin – Quorum Present
III. APPROVAL OF May 15, 2018 MINUTES – Diana Martin – A motion to approve the minutes as published on the SECPID website was made by Todd Hodges and seconded by Tom Hirschey. Motion passed.
IV. TREASURER’S REPORT – Fred Godwin – A presentation was made to indicate where the budget funds for SECPID are spent. Categories within the budget report were discussed for clarification for the residents present. Going forward a full copy of the budget report will be on the SECPID website for review. The fee disbursement was also discussed in detail including the annual budgeted $74,295 for the Sheriff’s patrol. The current assessment fee is $75 per household excluding persons over 65 exempted by law.
V. SECURITY PATROL AND CAMERA REPORT – Tom Hirschey – The junk car abatement program was discussed to explain the process. A review of the neighborhood is conducted about every six months. As junk cars are identified (cars abandoned or clearly not in
running condition), a report is given to the City Parish for follow up. Each homeowner is given 15 days to comply by removing the vehicle or showing that it is in running condition.
There are 182 hours of patrol each month done by 7 units, some are marked and some are not with one motorcycle unit. The schedule varies over a 24 hour period so the patrols are not done at the same time every day. During the month of June, There were 148 traffic stops with 121 citations issued and 37 warnings issued. 48 vacation checks were also done. The full report for each month is published in the News Watch Newsletter and on both the SHA and SECPID websites. Tom is looking into purchasing a radar notification sign and a portable radar gun for the neighborhood patrol. We will be updated on this as he receives more information.
The cameras have been very helpful in the arrest of crime offenders. For example, there was an armed robbery a couple of weeks ago. The Sheriff’s deputy was able to look at the camera data to read the license number and within 20 hours the driver of the car was apprehended and a second offender was in custody. Two more offenders were identified and a warrant was out for their arrest. The Sheriff’s department personnel are the only group who can retrieve data from the cameras for cause. Several offenders have been identified and arrested as the deputies continue to keep our neighborhood safe.
VI. CURRENT BUSINESS
a. Update on camera status and future plans – Fred Godwin - Three more cameras are currently planned for installation – Malvern Hill at Altus, Fleetwood at North Achord, and Vicksburg at Shenandoah Avenue.
Some of the older cameras are nearing the end of their useful life and are being replaced with new ones that have no moving parts and are heat resistant.
A discussion of the new entrance sign and landscaping and signage for each camera site was tabled until the next meeting.
b. Status of Board Commissioner position(s) by sponsoring group via SHA. – Mr. Darrel Tate, Mr. Larry Horacek, and Mr. Xavier Hoskins were invited to attend the next SHA meeting on August 14th to discuss sponsorship process for the open SECPID commissioner position. There is currently one opening to be appointed by Mayor President Sharon Weston Broom.
—Continued on page 4
Shenandoah Homeowners Association Page 3
www.shawebwatch.com