LOCK UP! LOOK OUT!

SEE CRIME? CALL 369-3333

If you SEE Something, SAY Something!

Please note that the number above goes directly to the Redwood City Police Department dispatch center. The response will be quicker than 911. If you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate to call it in.

Lock your cars, and lock your doors & windows. Look out for your neighbors.

FINALLY !

On March 1st we posted the preliminary document detailing what we can do about the overpopulation of resident Canada geese in Redwood Shores. That document can be found at RSCA.org.

Also look for the ‘Additional Questions’ at the bottom of that page, and check that page frequently for updates. I suspect there are going to be some small details that we’ll need to resolve as we go through this year.

I did receive one email asking why we wanted to kill the geese. Well, we have never suggested that as a solution. Everything we’ve learned shows that even if we were to find a way to get rid of our existing local population, we would have a new group of settlers within a few months. The things that people enjoy about the Shores also makes our community attractive to Canada geese, and they and the other waterfowl are going to be a permanent part of the ambiance of Redwood Shores.

Anything that kills or even harms the existing geese is strongly prohibited by federal, state, and local laws, and RSCA was the first to call CA Dept. of Fish & Game when we discovered indications just before Thanksgiving that someone had been taking geese from the lagoon (possibly for a Holiday feast?)

We have been working not only to find out what we can do within federal and state laws and regulations, but also to find out what seems to work and what doesn’t. Please take time to read this short document, then work with your local HOA or business property manager on these simple suggestions.

There is no 100% solution, and you won’t see results overnight. But at least we have some guidelines that both the City and private property managers can use in trying to reduce the amount of goose feces left on our walkways and in our parks and open-space green areas.

Do NOT Feed Wildlife !

As I’ve mentioned previously, the #1 recommendation of both state and federal wildlife officials was to quit feeding the geese. One thing that surprised us — and an indication of how seriously this is considered — is the severity of the penalty for feeding ANY wildlife:

You can be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced up to six (6) months in jail for each violation!

It doesn’t matter whether you are on public or private property. The law applies to feeding wildlife anywhere in California.

We don’t want this to become an issue of legal enforcement. We are encouraging each HOA and private property manager to deal with this by posting ‘no feeding’ signs prominently and by informing their residents, tenants, or employees about the law. We would also hope that Shores residents will respect the law and recommendations of the U.S. FWS and CA DFG.

The Crows…

One thing you can do to reduce the problems with the crows is to keep the lid closed on your garbage containers.

The crows appear to be going after open or overfilled containers on garbage collections days. They will rip open any exposed plastic or paper bags to get at the contents, and they can make a big mess for you and your neighbors.

HOAs & ‘non-HOA’ Areas of the Shores

The Shores was from the beginning a planned community. As a planned community, every residential area is governed by a set of Covenants, Codes & Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Those CC&Rs vary between areas, but ALL properties have restrictions as to the type of building, colors & styles, landscaping, and other exterior features allowed within that area. The CC&Rs also define for each area the governing body that approves changes and oversees compliance.

State legislation was passed in 1985 called the ‘Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act’ that allowed the formation of new entities called ‘home owners associations’ (HOAs) within existing city boundaries. These local HOAs are responsible not only for the CC&Rs but also for maintenance of ‘common areas’ within that HOA’s limits. These common areas are property jointly owned by all of the homeowners in a given association.

East of Shell Blvd and the other areas that were developed after 1985 were all incorporated as ‘home owners associations’. Almost 80% of residences in the Shores are in our 20+ individual HOAs.

But much of Redwood Shores west of Shell Blvd was built before 1985 so was unable to take advantage of the Davis-Stirling Act and organize into HOAs. But even non-HOA areas west of Shell are governed by a set of CC&Rs.

If you own a home in the Shores and did not receive a copy of the CC&Rs, contact the realtor from whom you bought your home. It is the responsibility of the selling realtor that a set of CC&Rs be given to each homeowner when that home is purchased.

CC&R’s ensure that each homeowner keeps their home and landscaping attractive and in good condition. This is just another of the many things that makes the Shores such a beautiful and GREAT place to live!

Join Our Email List

With over 5,400 residents and 700 business in the Shores, we use our email list to keep you informed about our community events during the year. If you would like to be on our email list, simply click on the “Join Our Email List” button in the Feedback section of RSCA.org to sign up.

Our Privacy Policy:

Your information is for use only by Redwood Shores Community Association in contacting you. We do not share, sell, or provide our contact list to any other person or organization.

— Harris Rogers, RSCA President