Condo Media - September 2009 - 42

FEATURE Point Counterpoint High-tech vs. Low-tech; People vs. Machines he headline above is how community association boards often frame the discussion when they are considering the need to implement or upgrade security measures — and assessing the cost. We asked two security experts to weigh in on this discussion, and to offer some advice to boards and managers who are grappling with security planning issues today. T Christopher Lanni Certified Protection Professional, CMCA, AMS, residential security consultant for Barkan Management and director of security resident services at Harbor Towers in Boston. A common mistake for community association boards, and a serious one, Lanni says, is assuming that security solutions, once adopted, can be forgotten. In fact, he says, boards should view the components of their security program as part of the community’s infrastructure; like cooling towers, boilers and buildings, security systems need periodic inspections and regular maintenance to ensure their effectiveness. Access control systems are one example. Key fobs with identifying chips or cards owners swipe to open doors are “wonderful,” Lanni says. “They allow one person to control and monitor access to the entire property.” But residents move or lose their fobs and cards, he notes. And if the system isn’t updated to reflect those changes, “the technology can become a liability for the community.” Video systems also require ongoing attention after they are installed. Someone must make sure they are operating properly and producing clear images, Lanni says; otherwise, the community runs the risk that the system won’t perform as expected when the need arises. “I’ve seen managers testifying in court [who were] asked to explain how they know their system was functioning properly,” Lanni notes. “If there is no regular maintenance system in place, that can make for a tough hour or so in front of a jury.” And if it turns out the system wasn’t functioning at all, he adds, “Do you want to tell a jury or a resident, ‘Sorry, the camera wasn’t working that week, so it didn’t record the robbery and we weren’t able to catch the thief.’” Video systems, electronic access control equipment and other high-tech solutions aren’t always necessary or desirable, Lanni agrees, but there are times when they are head and shoulders above the low-tech alternatives. Electronic access control vs. a paper and pencil system is one example. The paper system will be fine, he says, as long as information is transcribed accurately and stored appropriately. But the standards of care will vary with the individuals holding the pencils, while the electronic system will record and store consistently, regardless of who is punching the keys. There are intangible differences as well, Lanni says. “When residents ask about access to their units and we show them a detailed, un-editable, printed report vs. a clipboard with doodles on it, there is a level of confidence about the security we’re providing.” The electronic system will be more expensive, Lanni concedes, “But I’m not sure how you put a dollar value on the confidence residents have in how they’re being cared for.” When assessing a community’s security needs, Lanni says, “you don’t look at a single component. A security program is the sum of multiple parts. 42 CONDO MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 2009

Condo Media - September 2009

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