Surveillance sign causes confusion in Woodbridge

A sign with bold printing warns visitors that a Woodbridge neighborhood is equipped with video surveillance and says in all capital letters, "No trespassing."

It's metal and secured to a solid pole, both of which withstood recent heavy winds and rain. It also warns that "violators will be prosecuted" and gives an ordinance number.

But there are a couple of problems with the sign at Chestnut and Carolina streets, at the entrance to Wine Country Estates.

First of all, the ordinance is a Stockton city code. Last time anyone in Woodbridge knew, they hadn't been annexed by Stockton, especially since Lodi is in the way.

Second, the sign is posted in a public place along public roads paid for by taxpayers.

In other words, people who enter the neighborhood are not trespassing.

Those who bypassed the well-kept area while out looking at Christmas lights could have entered the neighborhood with a clear conscience.

The sign also warns that the area is under video surveillance, and that was the main purpose of the sign, said Liz Franco of Katzakian Property Management. She is president of the neighborhood's property owners' association.

As with red light camera warning signs, the sign is posted near two cameras that are running 24 hours a day.

Franco said the "No trespassing" part only refers to the large planter in which the sign is placed. Though it's in the middle of Chestnut Street, Franco said the planter is owned and maintained by the property owners' association.

The raised brick ledge around the planter has attracted skateboarders, and the association's board members worried about liability if one of them was injured, Franco said.

After someone complained to San Joaquin County officials about the sign, Franco has met with county traffic engineering and county counsel. They're working out exact wording to place on a new sign, but one agreement is that it will say "Wine Country video surveillance" so it's clear that the county isn't operating or paying for it, Franco said.

Posting "no trespassing" signs in residential spaces doesn't violate county code, according to the county's planning division.

The main purpose of both the sign and the video cameras was to stop an increasing number of thefts and other crimes in the neighborhood.

"Since we've installed the signage and the cameras, we've seen a decrease in crime," Franco said.

As for the Stockton city code, Franco said that will definitely be removed. The sign company she contracted with had created a similar sign for a neighborhood in Stockton, and Franco assumed it was a state code. The code on the sign, "SEC 5 131-11 ORD 3439-C.S." doesn't actually mention Stockton anywhere.

Wine Country residents Bob and Bonnie Young hadn't really looked closely at the sign, and they were amused that a Stockton city code was featured in Woodbridge.

The retirees have lived in their home for eight years and saw an increase in crime, ranging from vehicle burglaries to vandalism and even including stolen Christmas decorations.

One time a few years ago, Bob Young opened his front door to find that someone had tied a rope from his doorknob to across the street, apparently with the goal of causing trouble for passing cars. But the rope was reinforced nylon and it could have decapitated a motorcyclist, Bob Young said.

As for the surveillance and sign, he said it's mainly meant to make young hoodlums think twice before acting.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:21 PM:

" A camera and a sign really doesn't do much. Good old fashioned "knowing your neighbors" is the way to keep a neighborhood safe and aware. "

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OTH wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:40 AM:

" What's really hysterical about this is there was a time when all these people were too good for Woodbridge. Wouldn't have been caught dead there for any length of time. Now they have security cameras. What a hoot. Maybe they should hve stayed out of it after all. LOL "

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Taxpayer & Citizen wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:54 AM:

" Cogito, you're so right. It's pretty bad when you're afraid in your own "secure" little community. What do they pay the homeowners association for? Maybe they nee to hire Securitas to guard their little haven. "

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Mad Dog wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Chets808: Old hoodlums are simply voted into political office! "

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chets808 wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:43 AM:

" Nice use of the term 'hoodlums'. You dont see that in journalism too often.
And while we are on the subject, what measures are they taking to counteract old hoodlums ? "

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Cogito wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:35 AM:

" There are paranoid individual homeowners in Wine Country that have had surveillance cameras on their homes for years. Just look under the eaves. "

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Al Da Long wrote on Jan 30, 2008 7:35 AM:

" May be they stole it from Stockton, Like Brookeside CC. It look like there's some Gasoline residue on it "

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Mad Dog wrote on Jan 30, 2008 7:01 AM:

" I'll bet a quarter that the sign and the cameras will be stolen or destroyed within 24 hours! "

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