Traffic & Safety Committee: October 2021

Mariner Gate Entry—As summer draws to a close, our Mariner Gate attendants will have screened a record number of guests and service providers. Each one had to be individually screened for access and control reasons. With the ever-increasing volume, traffic has at times backed up toward Niguel Road, causing a potential hazard. A few impatient and frustrated people waiting to be screened have lost composure and their reactions delayed the process even further.
A majority of entries that require the “extra screening” are simply not on a host’s guest list. In the past, our gate attendants would try to phone the prospective host to resolve the issue. However, this effort to afford a bit of courtesy caused a delay in waiting traffic. In order to minimize waiting time at this gate, we are implementing a new procedure to minimize frustrations, ensure for safety, and improve the overall efficiency of our screening process. For the time being, unlisted prospective guests will be directed to turn around and leave the premises to resolve their absence from the host’s guest list with that individual.
In the meantime, everyone can expedite the flow of traffic into our community by ensuring our party and guest lists are up to date.
Post-Commander Moving On—We are saddened to announce that Post Commander Jesus Banda, who was one of the original Securitas patrol and gate attendants assigned to Niguel Shores, is moving to another HOA in San Diego County. He will still be employed by Securitas as a Post Commander, but the move will allow him to work closer to his home. Those that know Mr. Banda appreciate his positive attitude and willingness to take on any and all tasks assigned to him. We send him best wishes on the new position.
Welcome New Post Commander—Tim Copeland was introduced at our Traffic and Safety Committee meeting as our new Post Commander. Tim is a Navy veteran who attended Saddleback College and ran his own photography studio for fifteen years. Once Tim’s two children were grown—Allison is 24 and Randy is 22—Tim entered the security field. He has worked at five different HOAs and has been a Post Commander at two.
Post Commander Copeland is pleased to be here at Niguel Shores as it is close by his residence and offers a variety of challenges. He believes that his fifteen years of customer service will enable him to work harmoniously with everyone. His schooling and work experiences have taught him to de-escalate volatile situations and accomplish his mission. He appreciates that he and his staff have the responsibility of facilitating traffic movement in and out of the community and enforcing our parking regulations. When it comes to matters involving possible suspicious criminal activity, our attendants are to be good witnesses by observing and reporting what they see to our deputy sheriffs.
Coyote Alert—We have more coyote alerts than at any time in the past fifteen years. Hopefully, we all know we should not leave food outside; should pick up pet waste; and should not leave pets outdoors unaccompanied. A couple of fresh ideas in coping with these animals: Carry a stick or golf club; blow a whistle or even an air horn if a coyote is sighted; and minimize the time your trash container is left outside.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy