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One of the frequent "improvements" seen in Sun Lakes is for lighting and cameras outside of the home. Sometimes the Master Architectural Committee sees an application for these. They are seen and reported by members of the community or by someone from Planning and Compliance. Just because Home Depot has an end display of lights and/or cameras doesn't mean that they are appropriate for Sun Lakes or that they will look good on the exterior of your home. All outdoor lighting needs to be under 550 lumens in brightness. That means per fixture, not each individual light in a fixture. Lumens measure brightness. Back in the olden days, we used wattage to measure how much light output each bulb had. Nowadays, LED bulbs emit a lot more light per watt. Lumens actually measure how much light comes out of a fixture, not how much power it uses. Many folks are adding or upgrading their current fixtures to add a motion sensor feature. This can be useful for many outdoor areas. However, you don't necessarily need to change a fixture to get a motion sensing light. You can buy bulbs that fit in your current fixture and add the motion sensing feature. Just make sure to read the fine print and ensure that the lumens are below that magic 550. Cameras installed on the outside of the home need to be aimed or edited in such a way as to only look within the property of the homeowner. Our rules clearly prohibit peeping or spying on your neighbors or neighborhood. You may only monitor what goes on in your yard. When you submit an application to add lighting and/or cameras, review the rules available on the Sun Lakes website. Ensure your application clearly states and shows what the light or camera looks like and where it is going to be installed. For lights, include those lumens in your application. If we don't know how bright it is, approval is unlikely. For cameras, we need to see the view the camera will see. Filling out a correct application is a small price to pay for us all to maintain Sun Lakes as a great place to live. ~ Jerry Howell, jerry.d.howell@gmail.com 12 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2026 | Master Architectural Recently there have been several theft-related incidents reported within the community with the RV lot being the primary area impacted. Securitas has initiated corrective actions to reinforce accountability and improve security moving forward. While these measures enhance response, theft prevention remains a shared responsibility. Residents are encouraged to remove valuables from RVs and vehicles, secure all doors and storage compartments, and utilize visible deterrents such as steering wheel or hitch locks. Regularly checking on stored vehicles and promptly reporting suspicious activity to security remains essential in reducing future theft incidents and maintaining overall community safety. There also has been an increase in reports involving scam attempts, particularly during the holiday period. These include phone calls requesting money or personal information, as well as individuals going door-to-door soliciting funds or services. While Sun Lakes strictly enforces a no-solicitation policy, there are those who still manage to do so. Residents should be aware that legitimate organizations will never pressure for immediate payment or sensitive information. If contacted by phone, never provide personal or financial information and verify the legitimacy of the caller. For door-to-door encounters, report any suspicious solicitors to security. Scammers are out there! The Safety Advisory Committee continues to receive reports regarding speeders racing through the community, raising concerns for pedestrian and driver safety. Residents are reminded to observe posted speed limits and exercise caution when driving near common areas, entryways, and golf cart crossings. Security continues to monitor traffic patterns and address unsafe driving behaviors through increased patrols, reminders to drivers, and reporting of repeat offenders. Slow down and smell the roses! Please remember to: Keep your dogs on a leash, Keep your garage doors closed, Drive defensively, Stop at all stop signs! ~ Michael Volz, (818) 310-1950, vmv1950@aol.com Safety Advisory

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