Community Facing Vandalism and Theft

Beginning in the 1990s, Shavano Heights, a 137-home community in San Antonio, Texas, was largely retired senior citizens. Homes were located in several connected cul-de-sacs. About 10 years ago, they were facing vandalism, home and automobile thefts, and thefts at community mailboxes, leading the HOA board to pursue a security solution. They initially considered a system that Vice-President Helen Cronenberger described as “large” and “archaic” in hardware and software. This system was so expensive that it would have required special financing, so their search for a security solution continued.

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Implementing License Plate Recognition (LPR) in the Single Entrance and Exit Gated Community

Then-President Cronenberger and the board researched numerous vendors. Ultimately, they chose Flock Safety because the advanced software was up to date with cloud storage and vehicle identification capabilities, and the one annual fee included hardware, software, maintenance, web cloud storage and installation. Cronenberger found that, unlike other vendors, having no additional maintenance fee would help their board plan financially. 

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Shavano Heights implemented two Flock Safety Sparrow® license plate recognition cameras. The first camera is solar-powered and located at the entrance of their gated neighborhood, and the second is AC-powered and located at the exit of their gated community.

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Homeowners feel safe. If any criminal with a known license plate enters our neighborhood the Flock system will notify the FBI and/or local police.

- Helen Cronenberger, Vice President of the Shavano Heights HOA Board

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Shavano Heights Community Named One of the Safest Communities in the Area

Cronenberger credits Flock Safety cameras for helping to solve numerous crimes including gate damage, home theft, and a vehicle theft that was associated with a drug dealer in the neighborhood. 

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She recalls a pivotal moment that truly emphasized the positive impact Flock Safety has made on her community: When an Assistant District Attorney was considering purchasing a home in the neighborhood, he sent his team to evaluate the security of the neighborhood. The team reported that Shavano Heights was one of the safest neighborhoods in the area, with the presence of Flock Safety cameras being a major factor in this consideration.

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