Question 1

How quickly can you start patrol service at my property?

Accepted Answer

Same week in most cases — sometimes same day for straightforward contracts. The pieces that take the most time are post-order development (where we document your rules in writing) and tow authorization paperwork. See our Vehicle Patrol page for details

Question 2

What does Sunset Safety need from us to get started?

Accepted Answer

A signed Master Service Agreement, post-order document we develop together, any access credentials your property requires (gate codes, keys, alarm codes), and tow authorization paperwork if parking enforcement is included. We walk you through all of it during onboarding.

Question 3

Do you offer monthly contracts or are they all annual?

Accepted Answer

Our standard contracts are month-to-month with no annual lock-in. We earn renewal every month by doing the work — not by holding you to a contract. Some property management portfolios prefer annual MSAs with property-level addendums for administrative simplicity; both options are available.

Question 4

What if we want to cancel?

Accepted Answer

Contracts can be terminated by either party with 30 days written notice (standard terms — final language is in your MSA). For property management portfolios with addendums per property, individual properties can be removed without affecting the rest of the portfolio.

Question 5

Can we try patrol for a short period before committing long-term?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our month-to-month structure essentially functions as a trial — if it's not working after the first month, you can end it without penalty. We'd rather earn renewals than trap clients.

Question 6

Do you handle the transition from our current security vendor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We coordinate the transition — gate codes, keys, tow authorizations, alarm codes — so your board or management team doesn't have to manage two vendors during the changeover. HOA Solutions

Question 7

What's the first conversation like?

Accepted Answer

A 15–30 minute free consultation — usually by phone or video, in-person available if you prefer. We learn about your property, you ask questions about how we operate, and we determine whether we're the right fit. No pressure to commit on that call. Request a quote to get started

Question 8

How does patrol pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Patrol is billed per visit, with rates that scale down as frequency increases. A property running 7+ visits per day pays substantially less per visit than a property running 2. Free parking enforcement is bundled in. We don't publish specific numbers publicly — quotes are customized during consultation. Get a quote

Question 9

Is parking enforcement really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — when bundled with any patrol or on-site officer contract. There's no per-citation fee, no minimum monthly enforcement cost, and no add-on line item. Parking enforcement is part of why most clients hire us. See Parking Enforcement details

Question 10

Do you offer portfolio pricing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Property management companies and HOA management firms with multiple properties qualify for our portfolio rate tier — meaningfully lower per-visit and per-hour rates than our standard sheet. The break-even point is typically around 3 properties. Property Management Solutions

Question 11

What's "variable billing"?

Accepted Answer

We bill on actual work performed — not contracted minimums. If we missed a patrol visit, you don't pay for it. If a shift ends early, we don't bill the full original shift. Documentation of actual visits and hours is in your client portal.

Question 12

Are there extra fees we should know about?

Accepted Answer

A few situational ones: additional calls for service between scheduled patrols (per call-out rate), standby coverage if requested (hourly), permit management has its own pricing structure separate from patrol, and travel charges may apply for properties outside our standard service area. None of these are hidden — they're spelled out in your MSA.

Question 13

How are invoices delivered?

Accepted Answer

Standard delivery is by email, with PDF invoices generated through our billing system. For property management clients, we can deliver through your preferred vendor portal when your accounting platform supports it.

Question 14

What's the difference between standard rates and portfolio rates?

Accepted Answer

Standard rates apply to individual property contracts (single HOA, single commercial site, single MHP). Portfolio rates apply to property management firms or HOA management companies with multiple buildings under one operating relationship. Portfolio rates are meaningfully lower across every line item.

Question 15

Do you require a deposit or retainer?

Accepted Answer

No deposit for ongoing patrol contracts. Special event coverage and vacation watch sometimes require a deposit equal to the first day's coverage — refundable if the engagement is canceled with reasonable notice.

Question 16

How many patrol visits per day should my property have?

Accepted Answer

Depends on property size, risk profile, and what you're trying to accomplish. Most HOAs run 2–4 evening visits as standard. Commercial properties often run 1–2 after-hours visits with lock-up. We recommend a frequency during the free consultation and you can adjust it any time. Vehicle Patrol details

Question 17

Are patrol times randomized or fixed?

Accepted Answer

Randomized within windows. Fixed-time patrols are predictable, which means people who want to cause problems learn to wait them out. We schedule visits within frequency windows so coverage is consistent but the exact arrival time varies.

Question 18

Can we see what officers did during a patrol?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every visit generates a time-stamped, GPS-logged report in our client portal — including any photos taken and actions noted. Boards and managers see the same reports we do.

Question 19

When does an on-site officer make more sense than vehicle patrol?

Accepted Answer

When you need someone present continuously — not visiting every 30 minutes. Properties with active access control needs, persistent incident patterns, or specific high-visibility requirements usually benefit from on-site officers. We'll help you decide during the consultation. On-Site Officer details

Question 20

Can I have the same officer assigned long-term?

Accepted Answer

Whenever possible, yes. Continuity is one of the biggest advantages of on-site over patrol. We structure assignments to support it and set expectations during onboarding about primary officers and backup coverage.

Question 21

What happens if an incident occurs between scheduled patrol visits?

Accepted Answer

Call our 24/7 dispatch at (949) 299-2447. We route an officer from the nearest property to yours. Additional calls for service are billed separately at our call-out rate.

Question 22

Do you patrol in marked vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visibility is the point of mobile patrol — an unmarked vehicle doesn't deter anything. All patrol vehicles carry Sunset Safety Agency branding and emergency lighting.

Question 23

Can officers respond to alarm calls at our property?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Properties under patrol contract can register their alarm system for officer response. We're typically faster than police on most alarm types, and arrival is documented with body camera and incident report. Commercial Solutions

Question 24

What hours can we get patrol coverage?

Accepted Answer

Any hours. Most patrol clients focus on evening and overnight (when problems happen), but daytime patrol is available. On-site officer shifts are available 8–24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Special event coverage can be scheduled to any block of hours with 48 hours notice.

Question 25

What's required to enforce parking on private property in California?

Accepted Answer

Three things, all governed by California Vehicle Code §22658: (1) written tow authorization from the property owner or agent, (2) compliant signage posted at entrances with specific language and dimensions, and (3) documentation of every tow with photos and justification records. We handle all three as part of standard onboarding. Parking Enforcement details

Question 26

How does towing authorization work?

Accepted Answer

We work from a written tow authorization document during our post-order setup. Every tow is documented with photos, time-stamped, and matched to your post-order rules. We coordinate directly with your chosen tow company or one we recommend. Vehicle owners can recover their vehicles through the standard CVC §22658 process.

Question 27

Can residents appeal citations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide a documented appeal process through the client portal. Residents submit appeals; you (or your management company) review the evidence we collected and make the call. We follow your decision.

Question 28

What if a vehicle is incorrectly towed?

Accepted Answer

Mistakes happen, but the documentation we collect is designed to make them rare and resolvable. If a tow was made in error, our records will show it, and we work with you and the vehicle owner to correct it.

Question 29

Do you provide signage?

Accepted Answer

We help design and place compliant signage as part of post-order setup. CVC §22658 has specific signage requirements for tow authorization, and we make sure your property meets them. Signage itself is typically a one-time setup cost.

Question 30

How are guests handled?

Accepted Answer

Through our Permit Management service, residents safe-list visitors via portal or QR code. Visitors register themselves before parking, and our officers see the safe list in real time during enforcement runs. Properties without permit management rely on their post-order rules to define how guest parking is handled.

Question 31

Do you handle abandoned vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We document vehicles that have been stationary for 72+ hours, coordinate with management on notification timelines, and arrange compliant removal when authorized. Particularly common at mobile home parks and apartment communities. Mobile Home Park Solutions

Question 32

What's the difference between a warning and a citation?

Accepted Answer

A warning notifies the vehicle owner of a violation without an enforcement consequence. A citation creates a documented record of violation that may escalate to tow authorization under your post-order rules. Most properties start with warnings for minor first-time violations and escalate from there.

Question 33

What training do your officers have?

Accepted Answer

Every officer holds an active California BSIS Guard Card — the state licensing minimum. Beyond that, our officers receive paid field training before solo assignment, plus ongoing training in de-escalation, incident documentation, report writing, body camera operation, parking enforcement law (CVC §22658), and the specific post orders for each property they're assigned to. Careers page

Question 34

Are your officers armed?

Accepted Answer

We offer both armed and unarmed options. Most patrols are unarmed. Armed officers hold an active BSIS Exposed Firearms Permit in addition to their Guard Card. The decision is yours based on your property's needs and management policy.

Question 35

What's a BSIS Guard Card vs an Exposed Firearms Permit?

Accepted Answer

The BSIS Guard Card is the California licensing requirement for any security officer working in the state — covers basic training and background check. The Exposed Firearms Permit is a separate, additional credential required to carry a firearm openly on duty. Officers must hold both to work armed positions.

Question 36

Do officers wear body cameras during routine patrol?

Accepted Answer

Cameras are turned on for enforcement actions, incident response, and any situation that may need later review. They're not on continuously during routine patrol — that's both impractical for storage and outside the legitimate purpose of body camera use. Technology page

Question 37

Are officers in uniform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunset Safety Agency-branded uniforms, professional appearance, visible identification. Visibility is part of the deterrence.

Question 38

Do you do background checks on officers before hiring?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every officer goes through California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint-based background checks (Live Scan) before being hired. Felony-free history is a hiring requirement.

Question 39

What if I have a complaint about an officer?

Accepted Answer

Call or email us directly. Complaints go to operations leadership for review. Every interaction officers have is potentially captured on body camera, so most complaints can be resolved by reviewing the footage. We take officer conduct seriously — both because clients deserve professional service and because our reputation depends on it.

Question 40

Will the same officer always patrol my property?

Accepted Answer

For on-site assignments, yes whenever possible. For mobile patrol, officers rotate through assigned routes — but those rotations are stable, so the same officers see your property regularly. Familiarity is a feature, not a coincidence.

Question 41

What if our board doesn't have consensus on enforcement levels?

Accepted Answer

That's normal. We help build the post-order document together. Some boards start with warnings-only and graduate to citations once they see how the system works. Others go straight to full enforcement. You can change the rules any time. HOA Solutions

Question 42

How do we explain a tow to an angry resident?

Accepted Answer

Forward them to us. We handle resident communication for parking and tow disputes with photographic evidence and a documented appeal process. The board doesn't need to be in the middle of it.

Question 43

Do you attend board meetings?

Accepted Answer

Yes — by invitation. Many of our HOA clients invite us to quarterly or annual board meetings to walk through patrol reports, citation summaries, and incident patterns. We can also attend on request for specific issues.

Question 44

Can residents call you directly or only the board?

Accepted Answer

Both, depending on what your board prefers. Some boards want residents to call us for emergencies and the board for non-emergencies. Others want all resident contact routed through the management company. We work to your preference and it goes in your post-order document.

Question 45

How do you coordinate with our community manager?

Accepted Answer

Single point of contact at our end, single point of contact at yours (usually your community manager or board president). We share daily reports, escalate incidents through the agreed channel, and don't multi-thread your management team with parallel conversations.

Question 46

Can we customize the post-order document?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and we encourage it. Post orders are the playbook officers follow on your property. They should reflect your community's specific rules, fire-lane policies, guest parking standards, and any specific issues you want addressed. We develop them with you and update them as needed.

Question 47

What happens if we switch management companies?

Accepted Answer

The contract is with the HOA — not the management company. If you switch management firms, the patrol contract continues; we just update the point of contact and any administrative details. No disruption to coverage.

Question 48

How quickly can you onboard a new property under our existing MSA?

Accepted Answer

Usually within a week. Adding a property is an addendum, not a new contract. We need property address, post orders, tow authorization, and access credentials. Once those are in place, coverage starts. Property Management Solutions

Question 49

Do you provide COIs with our management company as additional insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standard practice. COIs issued immediately on addendum signing. Renewals sent before expiration without your team needing to follow up.

Question 50

Can pricing differ by property within a portfolio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each property's addendum specifies its own services, schedule, and pricing. A portfolio's MSA covers terms and conditions; individual addendums handle property-specific details.

Question 51

Do you carry insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We maintain coverage appropriate for licensed private patrol operations in California. Current public limits: Commercial general liability: $1,000,000 each occurrence; $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury; $100,000 damage to rented premises; $5,000 medical expense; $2,000,000 general aggregate; $2,000,000 products-completed operations aggregate; Commercial auto liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit; Umbrella / excess liability: $2,000,000 each occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate; Workers' compensation and employers' liability: Statutory workers' compensation; $1,000,000 each accident, disease per employee, and disease policy limit. Certificates of insurance (COI) are issued to prospective and active clients on request, with additional-insured language available when required.

Question 52

What's a COI and when do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) confirms coverage for your files — it is not a full policy document. Most clients want a COI on file from any vendor working on their property. We issue COIs on request, typically same-day, and can name your HOA, management company, or institution as additional insured.

Question 53

Can our property be named as additional insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standard practice for HOAs, property management companies, and institutional clients. The additional insured endorsement protects your entity in case a claim is made related to our work on your property.

Question 54

Can I request body camera footage from an incident at my property?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients can request footage related to any incident, citation, or tow involving their property. We provide footage through secure access channels and follow chain-of-custody protocols. Footage is also released to law enforcement under valid legal process.

Question 55

How current is the GPS tracking on patrol vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Live. Dispatch sees officer location in real time, and patrol arrival/departure times are stamped to the property as visits occur. Reports in the client portal appear within minutes of officer action in the field.

Question 56

What happens to records if we cancel our contract?

Accepted Answer

Client records (Daily Activity Reports, incident reports, citation history) are retained per our internal policy and applicable California law. On request, we provide a final export of records relevant to your property. Body camera footage related to incidents at your property remains accessible through our records request process even after contract end.

Question 57

Are body cameras on continuously?

Accepted Answer

No. Cameras are turned on for enforcement actions, incident response, and situations that may need later review. Continuous recording is impractical for storage and outside legitimate body camera purpose.

Question 58

What if a claim is made against your services?

Accepted Answer

If a claim is filed related to our work on your property, we follow our internal incident and claims process and notify you promptly. We do not discuss policy details on our website. Documentation we collect (body camera, GPS logs, incident reports) supports investigation and resolution.

Question 59

Do you carry workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our officers are covered under statutory California workers' compensation, with $1,000,000 employers' liability limits. If an officer is injured at your property, the claim is handled through our program — not your property's policy.

Question 60

Is Sunset Safety Agency licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunset Public Safety Inc. (DBA Sunset Safety Agency) operates under California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services Private Patrol Operator license #121577. The license is publicly verifiable through the BSIS website. Verify our license

Question 61

What's the difference between a "guard card" and a "PPO"?

Accepted Answer

A BSIS Guard Card licenses individual security officers to work in California. A PPO (Private Patrol Operator) license authorizes a company to provide private patrol services. Sunset Safety Agency holds PPO #121577; every officer dispatched holds an active Guard Card.

Question 62

When was Sunset Safety founded?

Accepted Answer

2022. We've grown every year since.

Question 63

Where are you headquartered?

Accepted Answer

1586 N Batavia St, Orange, CA 92867. Local headquarters means fastest response in Orange and surrounding cities.

Question 64

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Orange County (primary) and Los Angeles County (active patrol routes in Long Beach and Signal Hill). For full details, see our Service Areas page.

Security & Patrol FAQQuestions

Getting Started(7)

Pricing & Billing(8)

Patrol & On-Site Services(9)

Parking Enforcement & Towing(8)

Officers & Training(8)

For HOAs & Property Managers(10)

Compliance & Documentation(9)

About Sunset Safety Agency(9)

Still Have Questions?

From First Contact to Boots on the Ground

From First Contact to Boots on the Ground

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Boots on the Ground

From First Contact to Boots on the Ground

You Reach Out

Free Consultation

Custom Proposal

Contract Signed

Boots on the Ground

How Citation Appeals Work

How Citation Appeals Work

Appeal Submitted

Evidence Reviewed

Decision Made

Resolution Communicated

How Citation Appeals Work

Appeal Submitted

Evidence Reviewed

Decision Made

Resolution Communicated

Security & Patrol FAQQuestions

🚀Getting Started(7)

💰Pricing & Billing(8)

🚓Patrol & On-Site Services(9)

🅿️Parking Enforcement & Towing(8)

👮Officers & Training(8)

🏘️For HOAs & Property Managers(10)

📋Compliance & Documentation(9)

🏢About Sunset Safety Agency(9)

Still Have Questions?

From First Contact to Boots on the Ground

You Reach Out

Free Consultation

Custom Proposal

Contract Signed

Boots on the Ground

From First Contact to Boots on the Ground

You Reach Out

Free Consultation

Custom Proposal

Contract Signed

Boots on the Ground

How Citation Appeals Work

Appeal Submitted

Evidence Reviewed

Decision Made

Resolution Communicated

How Citation Appeals Work

Appeal Submitted

Evidence Reviewed

Decision Made

Resolution Communicated

Getting Started(7)

Pricing & Billing(8)

Patrol & On-Site Services(9)

Parking Enforcement & Towing(8)

Officers & Training(8)

For HOAs & Property Managers(10)

Compliance & Documentation(9)

About Sunset Safety Agency(9)