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The following information was obtained over the Internet on June , 2009 in two Emails.
It was confirmed by myself and a Costa Rican attorney upon further investigation.
Costa Montana Estates, owned by Costa Developers, experienced their first home break in over the weekend of 6/19 – 22/ 2009.
Harry Tola, general manager of Central Pacific Coast Property Manage-ment(CPC),who is responsible for providing security, told the home owner it happen over the weekend of 6/19 – 21 and was reported to him on Monday.He waited until Wednesday to inform the home owner.
This raises several questions: Why did Mr. Tola wait two full days after the being aware of the break-in/robbery to notify the home owner?Perhaps he was covering for what the home owner maintains was an inside job based on the following:
1. He was not informed of the break-in until Wednesday night. Two days after CPC was informed. Mr. Tola told him what he knew and that it was important for the home owner to provide a description of items stolen as soon as possible, if he expected recovery. If so, why wasn’t he notified until two full days after Mr. Tola knew?
2. The person(s) that broke in were familiar with the house and in most probability did some work on the premises. They knew the pool area and the walkway that lead to the master bedroom. They took their breaks in this area and often on this walkway and could see into the bedroom.
3. Person(s) that broke-in knew:
a. Knew where the electronic equipment was and broke in at this point.
b. Knew that even though the car was in the garage, the resident was not living there.
c. Knew that work was going on at the house during the week and the break-in would have to be on the weekend.
d. Knew the guards and was able to get into and out of Costa Montana with a vehicle.
CPC security did not discover the break-in, but was informed by another party on Monday. What happen to the regular security inspections? There are only a few houses in Costa Montana to do a security check on. Why wasn’t it discovered by CPC?
Were they covering up their own complicity in the crime? is a logical question that deserves an answer.
Another valid question the home raised that shows how poorly CPC is managed and run, is:
It had been brought to his attention that since he left, that most of the security and cleaning personnel are new. Do they check their background? Are they bonded?4. The guards, if they recognize someone, do not verify why they are there, do not check their vehicles for content when leaving, they just wave them through.
The home owner doubts if a log exist that records the date, time and license number, purpose, driver’s name of all vehicles entering and leaving. This should have not have happened if proper security measures where put in place.
There is only one way in and one way out. Security should have prevented this.
This raises the question of Costa Developers choice of CPC to manage their properties and provide personal interviews with both part time and full time residents of CME, indicate that they had no means of contacting security personnel and security personnel were without the means to contact outside emergency personnel and services because the guards shack has no working phone. More than one resident asked for walkie talkies or other devices/means to contact security, should they need to.
That request, like the requests of several residents, for contact information, of other owners, was ignored or denied by Costa Developers and CPC.
You are receiving this in the hopes that by making you aware of security issues in Costa Rican developments, you can make a choice of the safest and most secure developers to invest in. Thank you.
Sincerely yours, Jack SmithTo be fair though, this kind of a problem could have happened at any one of thousands of communities in Costa Rica, no?
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comEven fairer Scott this kind of problem CAN and DOES happen in communities all over the WORLD!
With any type of problem in a close knit community this is a wake up that a manned gate and security cannot stop all crime. It’s important that the homeowners keep an eye out for each other!
Was there a few months ago. I am not an owner or whatever, don’t have any relationship with ‘m.
Stopped at the guard-house, told the guard that I wanted to have a look and that I might be interested in buying. He asked my name, wrote down the plate of the car.
We went in, had a look for about 25 minutes and than left and said “hasta luego”.
It’s soooooooooo easy…… like on most places (just be nice)As an owner of properties at Costa Montana let me say this: As with ANY development regardless of where located, there will be many issues that need to be addressed and solutions applied, not limited to safety and security, important as they are.
Just take a broad look at the whole picture with respect to crime in general, petty crime has always been on the increase regardless of location when there is an economic slump…….hey, even thieves are spawned when those people are hungry and have no work.
As to the writer: I know not of a Jack Smith….is he related to Jack Sparrow (him I do know), a resident , or prospector of Costa Montana I wonder?……….seems like some ‘axe grinding’ going on here that will alienate him from all owners and prospectors alike at the project. If this is the intention, ‘Jack’ I would think clearly and carefully on how you use another person’s information.
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