thieving b'stards around the ADM

[ahendry]

hi all just thought i would let you know what happened to us last oct. we had a theif come in the upstairs patio door while we were in bed it was during the day and we were just dozing and i turned round and saw the guy on the balcony i thought i was dreaming and i told my husband that i had seen a man with a bright blue tee shirt and black trousers standing there his response was that i was dreaming until he got up to look on the balcony and saw a guy just as i described walking out of the apartment next door to us, he then checked his wallet and found money and cards missing. the guy lived next door and from what you descibed pato its sounds like the same guy. we contacted the police who then made us identify the guy and then within two days we had to go to court at portamio, we got a copy of the court case and the guy got let off with it as we could not prove he was in the apartment as he said he was only standing watching us. this guy is known to the gnr and they cant pin anything on him and he is very brazen about it as we past him after the court case walking through cvo he smiled as he walked past.

[charles hewitt]

It does seem odd taking just cash and not the other valuables. We were broken into whilst asleep; and the brazen b*****d / s took my wallet and my wifes purse from our bedside tables whilst we were actually there. We found the wallet and purse downstairs with only the cash missing.
Not a nice experience and yet we almost had a sense of relief that they hadn't taken the cars & etc!

[Gambrinus]

The association idea is not new and it would of course be applicable to any reasonably structured resort. Algarve Clube Atlantico and QDP as well as some of the apartment complexes like Colina Branca have houseowner's associations and whilst the primary function is to ensure communal matters are taken care of, resort security is also always an issue and as the crisis continues, it is becoming more pressing.

Neighbourhood watches, as appealing as they may seem, are not feasable because of the lack of permanent residents. The only thing that works is a security contract with a professional firm paid for by an association fee.

Another aspect is perimeter security around the complex like blocking concealed access points, consolidating efforts to secure adjoining plots (the biggest gate is no use if they can walk into your neighbour's driveway and hop over the wall or through the hedge).

Both ADM and VDM are imho candidates for a project like this, because although they are open complexes, I beleive that it is possible, with a consolidated effort, to enhance overall resort security without turning each house into something resembling Fort Knox.

The biggest problem will always be getting everyone on board and I can almost guarantee that you will not get everyone, but if you get a considerable percentage of owners to join, you will already have a good position to effect changes, even if this means that some non-payers will benefit also.

There needs to be some structure to ensure the association is able to function and in the ACA we have a panel of seven residents or frequently visiting owners who are elected every two years:
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Panel Member responsible for communal areas
Panel Member moderating the AGM
Panel Member for financial audits

We hold one AGM per year in October where the management company that handles all aspects of resort managment (including security) is present and presents a budget for the following year. In a little over an hour we normally have all matters relating to the resort off the table and an approved budget, so everyone goes back to spending a nice autumn holiday. Personally, I think the resort presents itself in fairly good shape and I would invite anyone to go and have a look around to see what can be accomplished with a joint effort.

We have two permanent residents on the board who keep an eye on the day-to-day activities and a management company that generally does what they are paid to do.
I can safely say that once something like this is off the ground it becomes a routine and the time consumed is minimal.

However, it takes initiative and more importantly a common interest to kick something like this off. I will happily endorse any qualified attempts of founding a common interest group/association by trying to convince my owners in the relevant resorts to join.

[Globetrotter]

I think the idea of an association is a quite good. It has been discussed with some Carvoeiro Clube residents and the main issues to resolve are security and matters with the camera. Almost all resident contract with a security service, which costs a lot of money. If we could join forces and all contract with the same security company, we could get rates down and provide for full time security. Prosecom no longer has an office in Lagoa, so they are useless with respect to response times. Having security in the neighborhood would improve response times. I am ready to join!

[Gambrinus]

Whilst the forum is a great way of communicating, it would be interesteing to know how much resident/house owner coverage we actually get per resort.

I will poll each individual resort subforum for property ownership and would really apreciate if you could take a minute to visit the subforum for your resort and participate.

[SJ & RE]

Whole heartedly agree with Gambrius, its really a difficult situation and rather complex to actualy deal with effectively and at too much a cost.
Unfortunately this a problem world wide cos too many people like/need to steal for various reasons.

[Ellie]

And probably set to worsen as unemployment gets ever higher.

My late old Mama was scathing about thieves, she used to say "Their fingers should drop off!"

[e-richard]

My late old Mama was scathing about thieves, she used to say "Their fingers should drop off!"

Your Mum wasn't an Islamic convert was she Ellie ?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2366419.stm

[Ellie]

My late old Mama was scathing about thieves, she used to say "Their fingers should drop off!"

Your Mum wasn't an Islamic convert was she Ellie ?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2366419.stm

Dunno Richard....but she often had her head covered.......

[jonboy]

Our appartment was broken in last week - usual stuff taken. We thought we adequately protected with entry alarm and good locks. Has anyone had any joy with the police in making progress with these types or do they just go through the motions and note the stolen goods?

Thank you in advance for comments

Jon

[jonboy]

How many of you who have been hit by these breakins have had recurrences?

[SJ & RE]

Good question.
I know it is a reflection in the UK and other such places that a re accurance is often within 3 months, the time it takes for the insurance to pay out and one to replace stolen items. Normally local involvement in that case.

[jonboy]

Makes sense. GNR chief told us that they know who it is - locals living near QDP. They even know the colour of the van they use but no one can tie them or the van to the scenes of crime. They are quite cute so maybe they are not foolish enough to return to a previous scene.
I can't see why they don;t trump up some excuse to raid their house with a pucker warrant and see what they find - or even more simple follow teh van at night with an undercover car Very frustrating.

[jonboy]

I might this was not at ADM but Monte-Dourado so slightly off topic

[Rossi's idol]

Sorry to have to return to this subject and please do not this I'm being smug in any way but there was general derision at the security attached to Monte Santo. Sounds like it would be more than welcome here!!