Judge Sets Bail at $150,000 for Shooter in Trayvon Martin Case

[DaveE 178]

But Zimmerman wasn't recognized by the neighborhood as a watchman. He was just some creepy guy in the neighborhood who appointed himself a 'watchman'. You know the type. You might like to think that wouldn't bother you, but I'm sure if it was your wife, mother or daughter walking home at night alone, she'd be freaked. And then when she started running home, he got out of his car, he continued pursuing her on foot. Lets say she outran him and made it home, slams the door shut and tells you she was being followed by that creepy neighbor, Zimmerman. Are you gonna tell her not to worry about it, he was just trying to keep her safe? Yeah right.

Read the section in the link under "committee news, Neighborhood Watch".

HOA newsletter Feb 2012

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Fortunately our country thought ahead an has a system in place to provide for a trial. We do not rely on Fancypants or Nancy Grace or NBC, CNN or MSNBC to provide the trial.

The trial will be held in Florida. Next year.

Go back to "Dancing With the Stars"

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Read the section in the link under "committee news, Neighborhood Watch".

HOA newsletter Feb 2012

Like I stated earlier, it will be interesting to know what the HOA's by-laws were for neighborhood watchmen. Even security companies don't allow their guards to be armed because of liability. They do not try to pursue or apprehend anyone suspicious. All they do is observe and report to police.

from the newsletter:

The Sanford PD has announced an increased patrol within our neighborhood. In addition to the extra marked patrols, Sanford PD has initiated random bike patrols of both the front and back yards of our community and random unmarked vehicle patrols with increased patrolling during peak crime hours.

But even if Zimmerman had the endorsement of the HOA, that didn't give him license to pursue Martin and confront him.

Here's a newsletter from Condo and HOA Law Group published recently addressing the issue:

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS AND HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS

As a result of the recent tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman the role and relationship between neighborhood watch groups and homeowner associations have come into question. Neighborhood watch programs provide a valuable service to communities but in order to avoid liability which could affect the homeowner's association and its members the relationship between the two must be carefully created and controlled.

First and foremost the purpose of a homeowner association is to preserve and enhance property values within the community by maintaining the common area and insuring homeowners maintain the exterior of their home in good condition. A homeowner's association is not intended to prevent crime or insure one's personal safety.

Likewise, the purpose of a neighborhood watch program is not to catch criminals but simply to observe and report suspicious activity to the local authorities. In the Martin/Zimmerman matter it appears that the homeowners association and the neighborhood watch program both exceeded their roles and as a result a 17 year old boy is dead, Mr. Zimmerman has been charged with second degree murder and the homeowners association faces a possible civil lawsuit for wrongful death.

In the Martin/Zimmerman matter based, on recent news reports, we understand that the neighborhood watch program for the community was established and operated by the homeowners association. The association's newsletter directed people to report suspicious activity to Mr. Zimmerman. As such the association, whether it intended to or not, accepted a certain degree of responsibility to make sure the participants were properly trained, acted responsibly and hopefully know whether or not guns were being carried on patrol. In this case as a result of the "official relationship" between the two groups it is quite possible that the homeowners association will be subject to liability in a civil lawsuit for negligently operating the neighborhood watch program.

In order to avoid such possible liability while still allowing a neighborhood watch program that may benefit the community we recommend the following to homeowner associations:

1. The neighborhood watch program should only be established with help and guidance of the local law enforcement authorities.

2. The neighborhood watch program should not be a committee of the Board or have any official connection to the homeowners association.

3. The neighborhood watch program should be an independent volunteer group that is not selected, appointed, confirmed or controlled by the homeowners association.

4. The separation between the association and the watch program should be clear and regularly communicated on any printed material.

5. The neighborhood watch volunteers should not carry badges, where uniforms or in any way suggest or imply they are sanctioned by the homeowners association to provide security to the community.

Serving all of Southwest Florida including: Counties of Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. Cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, and LaBelle.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

http://www.condoandh...s-associations/

So it looks like the HOA is going to be in a lot legal hot water over the liability of Martin's death, regardless of the outcome of this trial.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Mister Fancypants