Traffic and Safety Committee: Lock It or Lose It!

Traffic and Safety Committee
Lock It or Lose It!
Another unlocked car parked in our community was entered by a thief and a wallet was stolen last month. We have learned through the past few years that former and new “car clouts” generally do not force entry into vehicles any longer. The risk and increased penalty simply isn’t worth it. With the peak season for “thefts from vehicles” approaching, we can best avoid being victims by not leaving anything of value inside our cars, and also simply by locking them.
Close Calls
A brief reminder that traffic entering at Mariner Drive has the right of way onto Niguel Shores Drive. We’ve had several close calls lately as some vehicles traveling on Niguel Shores Drive simply are not stopping for the clearly posted stop signs. A word to the wise, be especially aware of cross traffic as some folks have developed sloppy and potentially lethal driving habits.
Epidemic at Cabrillo and Selva Gates
Despite clearly posted signs at the Selva and Cabrillo gates that restrict entrance to residents only, we had at least 13 reported cars and trucks last month that suffered one to four blown out tires at these locations. A review of the video tapes reflects that in each case the driver of these cars ignored the posted signs and tailgated a resident car into the community. Within moments of the resident’s car passing safely through the gate, the metal spikes popped up to stop the nonresidents.
Almost always, the victims of the vicious tire chewing spikes are friends coming to visit or trades people coming to provide service. They report that their GPS type device directed them to these gates. We have placed conspicuous signs and continue to encourage everyone to provide friends and service providers with specific directions, but a lot of good communication sometimes gets lost and drivers revert to using GPS.
Attempts to work with GPS folks continue, but so far have not been successful. However, staff has developed a program that will minimize confusion and supplement GPS. It should serve to eliminate a good deal of frustration and perhaps costly repair bills for our guests and service providers. Simply put, utilize the Mariner Gate House as the destination for guests or service providers. The guard on duty will in turn check files, issue a pass, and direct the individual to your house. The address for the Mariner Gate is 33510 Mariner Drive, CA 92629.
One Last Thing
There are almost 60 homes in our community undergoing remodeling now, and 10 are major remodeling projects. This may result in longer than normal backup at the Mariner
Gate as workers wait in line to be admitted in the morning
and then go back and forth during the day with materials.
To avoid delays we suggest residents consider using the Cabrillo and Selva gates to enter the community during peak hours.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy