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RESIDENTS WALKING AT NIGHT It has been brought to the attention of the Access Control and Safety Committee by numerous residents that people walking at night are not visible to drivers within the community. Please keep in mind that the streets are not well lit at night and there are no sidewalks. This is a safety issue for both the walkers and the drivers. If someone is hit by a car, it will be a tragedy for the injured person, their family, and for the driver of the car. And, if someone is killed, it would be a tragedy for the entire community. Here are some important safety tips if you like to walk at night: • Always walk against traffic, as this allows you to see vehicles coming towards you. • Wear reflective gear or some form of lights, or both. • Wear white or light-colored clothing. Never wear dark clothing. • Walk as close to the curb as possible. • If you are walking with your pet, do not allow your pet to walk on the street side of you. If you utilize a retractable leash, do not allow the leash to extend into your street side. Unfortunately, there seems to be sort of a "turf " war between walkers and drivers. Walkers say, "I have the right of way, the cars need to proceed with caution." Drivers say, "People shouldn't walk down the middle of the street because it causes me to move over and into oncoming traffic." Although both statements are valid, everyone should always, at all times, use good judgment, whether you are a walker or driver. It is not about who is right or wrong – it is about the safety of people's lives. It is one of the main responsibilities of the Access Control and Safety Committee, and for the HOA Board, to keep all of us safe, and we take this responsibility seriously. That is why we are asking all of you to be careful and considerate. | THE COLONY NEWS | APRIL 2023 | 13 ACCESS CONTROL & SAFETY By Glenn Gerber We are an advisory committee to The Colony Homeowners Association Board of Directors and the General Manager relating to all issues of community access and safety of residents and visitors. The Access Control Committee receives monthly reports and statistics from Community Patrol (Nordic Security). These reports include traffic enforcement, emergency responses and incident reports. The monthly report from Community Patrol indicates the following activity and violations that Nordic Security responded to and/or assisted in keeping with the safety and welfare for the Association. Security Statistics for February 2023: • 17,247 Jackson gate entries • 5 Property/Residents check • 15 Stop sign violations • 1 Speeding citation • 26 Medical, Fire and Police incidents • 57 Parking, Guest Pass & Vendor violations • 42 Trash can violations • 4 Garage doors left open • 54 Miscellaneous incidents Your Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is a busy group of volunteers. The responsibility of the ACC, as set forth in its charter, is to maintain the aesthetics of the residential lots, and to approve home improvement applications that comply with the Association's CC&Rs and Architectural Standards and Guidelines. We have regular meetings twice a month and schedule additional time to do home inspections and final inspections after work has been completed. In addition, we have researched and added new stucco/trim/ accent colors to house paint selections, added new door and shutter color options, made guidelines for pot shelves and outdoor decor, and have revised paint and home improvement applications for easier resident use. As we continue to try keeping The Colony looking good, please help us by understanding that some of our homes were built over 30 years ago, and for many others, it has been over 20 years. Upkeep is a necessity! • Check your stucco (especially after it rains) for signs that it may need painting. • Light fixtures fade from the sun. Paint or replacement may be needed. • Wood trim, shutters, and doors fade due to weather and may need a coat of paint to keep them fresh. • Weep screed (along the base of your stucco) tends to wear and peel off. Again, a coat of paint does wonders. • Wrought iron gates rust and peel and may need repair or paint. • Wooden gates and fences also tend to wear. Again, a coat of paint will freshen them and keep them from moisture and rot. Check the front of The Colony phone book for rules and regulations. Read them over before calling the office. Many of your questions may be answered there! ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL By Gloria Brosky