SHENANDOAH ESTATES – THEN AND NOW

Tom Hirschey, Commissioner and Security Director

Shenandoah Estates Crime Prevention and Improvement District

My wife and I moved to Shenandoah Estates more than 40 years ago after looking at several neighborhoods.  I was approached 33 years ago to become a board member of Shenandoah Homeowners Association (SHA).  Without knowing what this entailed, I accepted.

Shenandoah Estates was developed in 1971, and Homeowners Association membership and dues were never mandatory.  In 1986, one of the biggest issues facing our neighborhood was safety and security – or the lack thereof.  Based on my experience as a Reserve Deputy with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, I was asked to become the Security Director.  Within a couple of months, the late Capt. Chris Schroeder, Sheriff Department Liaison, and I had created a security program with the goal of ensuring that each paid homeowner got their money’s worth.  We presented this program to the SHA Board, and the Shenandoah Homeowners Association Surveillance Patrol (SHASP) was approved.  With limited money always having been an issue, in January 1987 the Board adopted the first SHASP budget as follows:

1. Engage 4 off-duty Deputies to patrol the subdivision in marked and unmarked units, covering 48 hours a month at $8.00 per hour.
2. Set up a 24 hour hotline telephone access number to schedule vacation home checks, report incidents, speeding complaints and suspicious activities for paid members.
3. Purchase and install orange and white surveillance signs at all 12 entrances to the neighborhood.
4. Purchase and distribute small window decals for the members’ automobiles.

For the past 48 years fewer than half our residents (most years much fewer) paid their dues even though every resident directly benefitted from the services provided.  In 2010, State Law authorized Crime Districts as one of the “Special Districts” that could be established which included mandatory fees.  To take advantage of this for the benefit of every Shenandoah resident, the Shenandoah Estates Crime Prevention and Improvement District (SECPID) was proposed, developed, and put to the vote of the registered voters.   A majority of voters agreed.  The establishment of SECPID ensured a reliable, larger budget by ensuring the all homeowners share in the cost of providing security and improvements through a minimal addition of a fee on each property in Shenandoah Estates.  This fee is presently $75.00/year, or 20.5₵/day, for each property in Shenandoah Estates.

As of July 1, 2020, SECPID has been able to establish substantially increased patrols, and has pursued a continuing program of installation and maintenance of security cameras with license plate recognition (LPR) capability.  These cameras monitor traffic in and out of Shenandoah Estates, and are accessible ONLY by the EBRSO for use in investigations.  As of July 2019, as compared to 1987, we have the following:

•  8 deputies patrolling in marked and unmarked units
• 182 patrol hours per month (40+ shifts), and extra hours during the Thanksgiving/Christmas period
• 10 entrances and intersections equipped with cameras recording every vehicle’s picture and license plate number
• All cameras upgraded to the latest technology
• Several more camera installations planned for this year

SECPID began actual operations in January 2012.  Through May 2019 the off-duty Sheriff’s Patrol team has logged 13,468 hours (more than 1.5 man-years) patrolling our streets.  Their success is reflected in the following statistics:

Patrols – 3,244

Traffic stops – 11,455

Citations issued – 8,520

Warnings issued – 3,028

Total charges – 10,299

Narcotics arrests – 47

Other arrests – 343

            Often for outstanding warrants

Insurance storage – 142

            Vehicles impounded and towed due to lack of insurance

Vacation home checks – 5,358

Despite the significant increase of patrol hours and the installation of video surveillance cameras, there are questions that will never be answered.

1. How many criminals decide NOT to commit a crime in Shenandoah Estates?
2. How many drivers decide to obey the 20mph school zone and the 25mph speed limit?
3. How many drivers buckle their seatbelts?
4. How many drivers come to a complete stop at a stop sign?
5. How many more drivers have proof of insurance?
6. How many more driver follow parking ordinances?
7. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE THE TRAFFIC STOPS AND ARRESTS PREVENTED?

We all directly benefit from the reduction in crime and increase in safety, and we all benefit from the increase in property values resulting from low crime rates.  It is the hope of this Commissioner that all residents understand the importance and effectiveness of SECPID and the fact this endeavor must continue.  If you, as a Shenandoah Estates homeowner and resident have any questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, or just need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tom Hirschey, Commissioner and Security Director

Shenandoah Estates Crime Prevention and Improvement District

Ph. 753-9562

P.S.1.     Only approximately one-third of our residents pay the $30.00 annual fee to fund the Homeowners Association.

P.S.2.     About 340 residents are not required to pay the $75.00 annual SECPID fee due to the “age exemption” in the tax rolls.

P.S.3.     If all 2,072 homeowners would pay at least “something”, we would all have a safer and nicer looking neighborhood.  Voluntary contributions are encouraged.