On Monday, I received texts confirming one of my biggest fears in the community association industry: a deadly shooting at a condominium community in Atlanta.
Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities, and it feels so helpless to offer thoughts and prayers to families, friends, and colleagues of dedicated CAI Georgia Chapter member Michael Patrick Shinners, CMCA, AMS, PCAM. Michael, an on-site manager with Beacon Management Services, was shot and killed by a homeowner at his workplace, 1280 West condominium on West Peachtree Street. The chief building engineer also was injured during the shooting.
Our industry is shaken by this tragedy, and I expect there are community managers across the country who feel a sense of unease heading into work today. Nobody should live in fear. No workplace should be unsafe. No community should have an active shooter who targets management.
My heart breaks for Michael’s family, the 1280 West community, the CAI Georgia Chapter, and everyone impacted by the terrible tragedy.
CAI is committed to immediately begin discussing public policy options, training programs, resources, and support to ensure this never happens again. I ask you to please share your thoughts or ideas on anything that should be part of the conversation by emailing me directly at dbauman@caionline.org.
The CAI community is strong. I ask you to stand in support of the victims’ families, colleagues, and the entire Georgia community. I encourage you to connect with your colleagues, clients, and friends to support one another during this very difficult time. CAI is here for you. Please reach out anytime.
Rest in peace, Michael.
Well said, Dawn Bauman! Unreal, but real?! No words….
It is sad that it has had to come to this before a push for change could be made. The mistreatments, abuses and threats that professionals in our industry have been subjected to are unheard of in other professional industries. Protections for management are needed as society becomes increasingly unhinged.
You said that very well. Exactly my thoughts. So sad that doing ones job comes to such tragedy.
Thank you, Dawn. On behalf of all of our Georgia members, we thank you, Tom, and the entire staff at the National office for your unwavering support this week. Change is necessary, and I’m ready to help do what I can to avoid a repeat of this week’s events.
This tragic and unacceptable event was almost inevitable wasn’t it. How do CAI managers and staff members deal with gun violence in their communities when State and Federal government refuses to?
We watch from afar, fume, and commiserate. Sincerest condolences.
Thank you for initiating the conversation. All those involved in the HOA industry need to get the word out in their communities that awareness of this extreme level of violence has already impacted us. At the very least conversations must be conducted within communities to highlight the sensitive issues and discuss options for tighter security in our meetings as well as strategies to recognize pending escalation during meetings that may require intervention. Awareness is the first step and then discussions of interventions follow. Virtual meetings have already been employed during the “COVID” era and should be explored as a standard procedure for the future. In so many areas of our lives, it has become commonplace for awareness and preparation for possible tragedies to increase from random violence to road rage to enhanced responsibility for managers and Board to highlight the issue.