8 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER August 2023
RAISING THE BAR for safety and security in Charbonneau
By DAVID MAUK Charbonneau Country Club
The following interview was conducted with Neil Kennedy , Charbonneau Country Club ’ s first community safety coordinator . It follows Sandy Batte ’ s informative article in The Villager last month , introducing Neil and how his background is an ideal fit for the new position . Look for future articles in The Villager regarding safety and security .
Q : What have you learned about the community in your first month on the job ?
A : The biggest thing I can say , something I didn ’ t anticipate that ’ s a positive aspect of the job , is how Charbonneau residents have a sincere sense of ‘ neighborliness .’ It ’ s a fundamental element of the community .
Q : Describe your 90-day timeline for enhancing security awareness in the community .
A : Getting to know the community and what ’ s important to residents is top of the list . Security alarms and systems are being updated and consolidated with new technology . I ’ ll be attending HOA meetings , listening and sorting through what I hear . The Community Information Day in September kicks off our ‘ Home Security Clinics ’ that share ways to increase residents ’ awareness regarding their security . And I ’ m working on setting expectations with Corporate Crime , our new security patrol .
Q : What are the top three priorities you have as Community Safety Coordinator ?
A : Before I arrived Security Audits were already underway - that ’ s what led to the job itself being created . These audits are continuing . They cover operational matters , as well as physical , property and financial threats . For instance , we know Charbonneau is a target because of its location on the edge of law enforcement jurisdictions and proximity to the highway , and the demographics of an older , affluent population . This information is used to develop a response and infrastructure to mitigate that .
Q Please share how security at Charbonneau has been upgraded .
A : First , it ’ s important to know that with our new patrol service , Corporate Crime , we have an entirely new model with respect to Charbonneau ’ s security . This means more thorough patrolling : variable routes with vehicles , patrols on foot , a golf cart and greater visibility in our public spaces . Welltrained patrol officers are equipped with body cams , communications gear and carry weapons . There are more cameras and electronics systems in the village campus and buildings . Collectively , this enhances deterrence before a crime occurs and assists in detection and apprehension should one be committed . The goal is to harden Charbonneau as a target , making it less appealing for criminals .
Q : How do you liaison with Corporate Crime , their patrol officers and Wilsonville police ?
A : I have worked with law enforcement my entire career , fostering good relationships along the way . I look at it as a partnership , with mutual benefits for each party . There ’ s direct and frequent communication with our patrol service , Corporate Crime , including receiving daily reports from the patrols . I meet regularly with the patrol officers to pass on items of interest for follow-up on , to give feedback from residents , and to hear about issues . There ’ s sensitivity to community concerns of not being intrusive , yet being highly responsive and proactive . There ’ s an improved understanding of our expectations and goals with Wilsonville ’ s police department , as well as with the Clackamas County Sheriff ’ s Office , both of whom I ’ ve met with . The working relationship with these agencies , in concert with Charbonneau ’ s new security program , enhances our ability to work together in meeting our mutual goals .
Q : How might residents experience the changes in how security is now handled ?
A : Before this position was created , various staff
at the country club responded to resident calls and concerns , though no one had ‘ security response ’ in their job descriptions . The community now has what is essentially a command center that ’ s a central point for incidents that happen in Charbonneau , collecting information and data . This enables a coordinated , timely and focused response to criminal activity and security concerns . As this database grows , residents will have less to be concerned about as the community ’ s security becomes more robust . It ’ s about developing community awareness and infrastructure built on a foundation of the 3-D ’ s of security : deter , detect , delay .
Q : What steps would you like to see residents take for their own home security ?
A : Look out for your neighbors . If you ‘ see something , say something .’ Be aware of your surroundings , with outdoor lighting at night , closed garage doors , shrubs trimmed around the base of your house so it ’ s not a hiding place , and the use of alarms and cameras as deterrents and assistance in responding to incidents . It all discourages attention from the wrong people . What ’ s key when a resident reports a situation is to identify the behavior that triggered their attention in the first place . Providing objective information to law enforcement generally leads to a quicker response and greater engagement from those whose job it is to protect us .
Q : What ’ s the procedure for residents who have non-urgent and urgent security issues ?
A : I believe residents will be getting more information about this in the new directories and more articles in The Villager . There will be specific numbers to call for different incidents . 911 for life-safety emergencies ; 503-505-3327 for non-emergencies . And I want to hear directly from residents when they have an incident , so please contact me : neil @ charbonneaucountryclub . com
Thank you Neil for sharing how your role and other changes in community security benefit Charbonneau residents .
New book club being formed
A group of men are interested in starting a new book club focused on nonfiction , history and biographies , with an occasional historical fiction or narrative non-fiction book thrown in , too . Our founding members are avid readers , history buffs and veterans of other book clubs who welcome those interested in participating . We envision nine meetings per calendar year starting this September , with books chosen in advance by our readers . If interested please email Dave Mauk : davidemascent @ gmail . com .
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