There seems to be a trend developing around the community, which I would like to address. It will be mentioned again in July’s Crier, both by myself and The board president. I will also discuss it at our June Neighborhood Awareness Meeting on June 21st at 6 pm. But if you are not attending and do not read your Crier, I wanted to make sure all residents get this message.
It appears that some residents have been a bit overzealous in approaching individuals they do not recognize in the park. I fully realize and appreciate their AWARENESS. However, some have been challenging people negatively who may have a legitimate right to be in Lakeview. For example, in the past month I have had four calls from residents claiming to have seen someone that was not supposed to be in here. Three of these callers apparently actually approached the individual with harsh and rude behavior before they got all the facts.
In brief, I finally caught up with one of these individuals who was driving a white van and once in awhile would stop along the greenbelt areas to eat and have something to drink. He was very polite and cooperative. He explained he does some landscaping for some owners in the park, which I confirmed. As I was questioning him, one of these callers approached his vehicle and yell at him “I told you to get out of the park so get out of here and don’t come back.” She was extremely rude, and the remarks were unmerited. I asked her to leave the situation up to us on the Neighborhood Awareness Team.
I confirmed the gentleman’s reasons for being in the park, and he agreed that not parking in front of the resident he was working on and choosing to park on the side lanes near the greenbelt was possibly suspicious to some of the residents. To top it off it was around 6 or 7 pm, but he admitted he had worked late that evening. He apologized and left the park.
To keep this short I will just mention that again today (20th) I received another call about some young lad on one of our lanes who was stopped and rudely addressed by one of our residents. I am only getting the information secondhand, so forgive me for not giving a lot of details. But as it turned out he was hired by one of our landscape workers to assist him at one of the residents’ property. Again, apparently unkind words were spoken to this young man without obtaining the facts which upset him and our resident who had hired the landscaper.
We have mentioned this before, so please, please, if you are concerned when you see someone that you perceive to be an intruder, or a possible threat, or nuisance just call the Manager or one us on the NA Team. Again, if it is at unusual hours or a serious cause of concern, call the police. IF YOU DO APPROACH TO INQUIRE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL, PLEASE TRY TO BE CORDIAL AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. DON’T BE DISRESPECTFUL AND RUDE. If there is any sort of backlash, just leave and call one of us and/or the police.
There have been too many times that the person or people in question do have a legitimate reason for being in the park. They could be painters, landscape workers, visiting grandchildren or relatives out for a walk. Yes, I agree, if they are parked along the side of the greenbelt areas, it may look suspicious, and I even use caution when I approach. But my suggestion is DO NOT APPROACH call the office or one of us.
Thank you for your attention.
Gary Kiddie
Chair – Neighborhood Awareness
(916) 847-4909