If you have an emergency, please call 911.
The POA has contracted with a private security company to provide security services at Reunion West. It is important to know what our private security company can do and cannot do.
Purpose of Security Guards.
Our security guards are licensed, unarmed security guards with a goal of encouraging compliance with our community rules and regulations and to monitor access and community roads. This is primarily accomplished through high visibility of our security officers at our main gate and through their vehicular patrols of our community.
Our security guards also monitor our POA security cameras (primarily at gate entry points and trash corrals). Our security officers report suspicious activities to law enforcement and help improve procedures through daily reports and incident reports to our POA property management and board members.
In addition to staffing our main gate 24 hours a day, our security officers assist at the unstaffed gates with remote kiosk support; basic gate repairs; monitor noise and parking violations by contacting guests and issuing towing warnings and notices; respond to audible alarms in the community; and respond to calls from owners and guests staying at our homes.
Our private security force responds to alarms and other potential violations of law or rules by contacting owners and their property management companies and when appropriate, law or other safety enforcement officers.
What is the Authority of our Security Guards?
Under Florida state law, our private security guards are not law enforcement officers and have no police powers. Accordingly, as private security officers, our security guards cannot arrest individuals, use force in carrying out their responsibilities or issue traffic violations. (See Florida Statute § 493.6113(3)(b)).
Our private security officers are asked to contact owners or their guests with respect and courtesy. When owners or guests are unresponsive to requests of our security officers, security will generally attempt a second contact. However, if guests respond with threats or potential violence, our security officers are requested to make a report and contact law and safety enforcement officials when appropriate.
The streets at Reunion West are public streets owned by the Reunion West Community Development District or (“CDD”) a local, special purpose governmental entity. Reunion West POA has a security agreement with the CDD that allows the POA to hire a private security company to provide the security services described above. The CDD has directed the POA to allow cars to enter Reunion West even if the driver of the car is not an owner, resident or guest. CDD permission is needed to add traffic signs, speed bumps or other traffic calming devices because the CDD owns the public roads.
What can the POA and the POA Management Company Do to Enhance Security at Reunion West?
The POA meets regularly with our private security company and its supervisors to ensure the private security company provides the contracted services. The POA reviews incident reports and reviews revised procedures and protocols to deter future incidents.
For weeks or weekends where occupancy is both high and where historically there have been a large number of incidents, the POA attempts to hire off duty law enforcement to patrol our community and use their police authority to encourage compliance with applicable laws and regulations including POA and CDD regulations. The use of off duty law enforcement depends on their availability and our POA budgetary constraints.
The POA can issue fines to owners for noncompliance of their guests with our rules and regulations. Additionally, the POA works with the CDD to enhance traffic safety on our streets.
What can You Do to Enhance Security as a Property Manager or Owner at Reunion West?
Owners should provide updated contact information to the POA including their cell phone and email information and the cell phone and email information of their property managers. Without this information, our private security company is unable to provide critical and timely information to you and your property management. At times home incidents cannot be resolved without the permission of the owner and/or property manager. Please send your updated contact information to admin@reunionwestpoa.com.
Owners and property managers can help the community by informing guests of our POA rules and regulations including the parking regulations. The POA expects that you are aware and understand the POA rules and regulations and that your guests will comply with all applicable rules and regulations. Owners can be fined if their property managers and/or guests do not follow these rules and regulations.
Owners and property managers can help reduce incidents by renting to individuals who do not intend to hold loud parties and events. Our experience demonstrates that loud parties occur most often when renting a home for one or two nights. We are not implying that all one or two night rentals result in loud parties. At the same time, you may consider renting your home for a minimum of three nights. You or your property manager may also consider referring to publicly available sites that provide scoring of potential renters. Please ensure such sites follow housing laws and regulations.
Owners and their property managers are free to contact the CDD directly during its monthly CDD meeting with traffic and street parking concerns. The public web site for the CDD (where monthly meetings are announced) is http://reunionwestcdd.com.
Finally, when a high number of security incidents occur, be aware that our security officers will be very busy patrolling our streets to deter non-compliance through high visibility of our security team. During these times, you can also assist by contacting the Osceola County Sheriff’s non-emergency phone number at 407-348-2222 to report a significant number of violations such as traffic violations and noise ordinance violations.