LAKEWOOD RANCH — Beginning Jan. 4, Allegiance Security Group will be patrolling Summerfield/Riverwalk and Greenbrook, replacing Wackenhut Corp.
At the same date, Country Club and Edgewater residents will see a new security provider called U.S. Security Associates manning their gatehouses.
The changes in security providers were approved during Thursday’s November district meetings at Town Hall.
Allegiance and U.S. Security were top-rated among 11 security companies that turned in bids in a second round of bidding.
The first bidding process was flawed because one of the companies was accidently omitted from consideration.
Alert Protective Services, which won the first bid, did not emerge as a contender in the second round.
Supervisors applauded the effort that went into the selection of the two security vendors.
“They did a very thorough in-depth evaluation of these companies,” said District 1 supervisor Jean Stewart.
One Lakewood Ranch resident greeted news of a new security provider with renewed optimism.
Summerfield Place resident Adele Shugol wants Allegiance, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Town Hall officials to know that it’s about time that security was stepped up.
Shugol came before the District 1 board during Thursday’s meetings to report that vandals have not only made golf ball-size impact craters in the Styrofoam and stucco Summerfield Place neighborhood sign, but they often ring her doorbell in the middle of the night.
The late-night buzzer-ringers have hit some of her neighbors, too, she said.
The same sign was recently repaired by Town Hall officials after it was damaged by someone firing a conventional handgun or a pellet gun, Shugol said.
“I really don’t feel safe anymore,” said Shugol, who has been visited by Manatee sheriff’s deputies. “I feel whoever is doing the buzzer-ringing is casing our homes to see who is home and who isn’t. Something must be done.”
District 1 supervisors informed Shugol that they can only contact the security firm or the sheriff’s office as she has done.
“If you could get the license plate of any unfamiliar vehicle, that would be helpful,” said District 1 supervisor June Stroup.
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.
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