[killer_carlson]

well I used to live in a ground floor condo and I sat/still sit on the Board. There was something of a peeping tom issue in our complex as well a few years back. Here are my thoughts.

#1: Write a letter to the Board and state that you want the shrubs trimmed/removed AND a light installed. State that this is for a safety reason. By doing it in writing the Board will have to respond one way or the other to the issue and record their response in writing. When it comes to safety issues our Board responds only 1 way, and that is to do whatever we have to (within our budgets) to make it safe for our residents. It is stupid not to. If, on the slight chance, the Board does not respond the way you like, write a follow up letter and state that you want this safety issue listed as part of the agenda at the next AGM. Then the Board will have to respond in a court of public opinion why they would not trim some trees so that one of the residents would feel safer. Ask the Board why they won't do something to discourage a peeping tom.

Remember: Write the letter - don't phone. When it is in writing there is a record of the request and then there will be a record of the response. Telephone conversations can be misconstrued later on.

#2: Consider going to the Board and asking to install some sort of film on the window at your expense. Chances are that the windows, the slider doors, and their maintenance and replacement are on the condo board's money. If you wanted to install a film it would have to be on the express understanding that it be at your dollar and at the specifications given to you by the Board. When I say film, I mean a product similiar to a type of tinting material. Chances are good the Board will want to choose the colour to maintain the building envelope (ie, clear). There are films available on the market that make the glass shatter but not break. If someone wanted to get through, you'd be making it very difficult for them to do it, and it would take a lot of work for them to try it. If you do choose this option, be sure to put a sticker on the window, facing outside, indicating that there is a security film on the window to prevent the window being smashed for a break-in.

#3: A door stop on the top and the bottom of the door as have been indicated above. There are some good tips in this thread on this issue (size of wood, groove in the wood). Put one at the top in some sort of bracket as well.

#4: If the door can be popped out of place while locked, then this is another issue to be addressed to the Board in writing. This is a building design flaw and the doors were installed backwards. One solution is to re-do all the doors (something to be addressed when the doors are replaced as part of the reserve fund plan). Another cheaper solution is to install a metal strip on the outside of the window along the top. It would have to be several inches thick. If done right, and in the right circumstances, it should prevent the door from being lifted and twisted. If you wanted to remove the door, you would have to get out the drill and unscrew this metal strip. It depends upon the exact circumstances of the door and condo however (so don't quote me on that one).

#5: A light. As I said in #1, a light that shines down on your patio area is a very effective tool to prevent prowlers. Better visibility of the crook is a good deterrent and will hopefully move the person along to the next building instead.