Crime Wave Hits Dallas Country Club
Despite its exclusivity, the Dallas Country Club has never struck me as a secure facility. I’ve met Buddy Macatee there for breakfast several times; nobody’s ever asked me to slow down as I drive my station wagon onto the grounds, and no one has ever asked me to prove my membership as I stride into the Men’s Grill. So, it wasn’t completely surprising to me to see the following in our two most recent police blotters:
- Between 12:45 and 5:15 p.m. July 24, a thief stole a $4,500 Rolex, $500 cash, and a $100 cardholder from a locker at Dallas Country Club. The cardholder was later found by country club security.
- Between 5:30 p.m. July 29 and 8 a.m. July 30, someone stole $2,250 worth of copper wire from a construction site at Dallas Country Club.
- Between 4 p.m. July 29 and 4 p.m. Aug. 4, a thief stole $13,000 worth of bathroom accessories from a construction site at Dallas Country Club.
- Between 7 a.m. Aug. 3 and 10 a.m. Aug. 5, a thief stole $10,000 worth of copper wire from a construction site at Dallas Country Club.
I am a member and the ONLY time that I have ever been asked for any ID or membership card is on the 4th of July. While I like being able to just drive right in without the hassle of showing that I ‘belong’ and I really like not having to put a guest through having to prove that they should be there when meeting me, there has been a problem with crime. If anyone tries to pretend that it is just because of the construction, there have been problems with cars being broken into in the parking lots for years. They have increased security and they do watch the cars better, but clearly there is room for improvement. I just hope that someone can come up with a security plan that does not add to the air of snobbery.
Although I am not a member, I am surprised to hear that they do not check member I.D. cards and/or stop vehicles entering the club. What is the guardhouse on the Mockingbird side for, if not for this reason? They should be a little more observant regarding the comings and goings of people entering the club, ESPECIALLY with the construction going on….this is just the opinion of an individual who has worked in private security for awhile
It is just because of the construction.
Maybe it’s the problem with crime that has convinced the club they should have such a low property tax value.
http://www.parkcitiespeople.com/2011/07/25/taxing-times-at-dallas-country-club/
Amen, Charles! If they payed taxes on that ginormous piece of property, HPISD wouldn’t have to be looking for spare change in the couch cushions.
Someone tell me again how much the DCC is assessing each of its members to pay for the new upgrades?
I thought HPISD’s budget problems were a result of the state taking something like 60% of their property tax revenues and redistributing it to other districts. Isn’t that why they raise money privately to help fund teacher salaries? (keeping 100 cents on the dollar vs. 40 cents)…
Lakewood Country Club also has a very low tax appraisal…Are all country clubs this way? Aren’t country clubs not-for-profit anyways? I guess Club Corp (Stonebriar, Gleneagles, Brookhaven) clubs are for profit…
Couldn’t you argue that HP/UP benefits because the residential properties adjacent to and around the country club all have amplified land appraisals and subsequently large property tax bills?
@ Neal – Why do you want this information? I don’t want to know how much your mortgage payments are. It’s a private club.
@hpparent: The exact number isn’t the issue. But if I were a member and had just been assessed $150,000 (or whatever it is) over and above my annual dues at the same time my locker was being cleaned out, I would be unhappy.
@Neal – I see your point. It is a small fraction of that amount.
uhhh…. what exactly comprises $13,000 of “bathroom accessories”???