Sentinel Strategic Services v. Solera at Apple Valley Community Assn. CA4/3

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Solera is an age-restricted senior common interest development in Apple Valley. The association is comprised of approximately 3,000 residents and 1,676 lots. The association is governed by a volunteer board of directors (board) and assisted by a management company. In late April 2023, Sentinel and Solera entered into a contract (the agreement) under which Sentinel would provide security services for Solera beginning July 1. The board hired Sentinel to prevent property crimes, physically protect association property, enforce the association’s rules, verify

1 Subsequent statutory references are to the Code of Civil

Procedure unless otherwise indicated.

2 identity at entry points, and assist residents. The agreement provided for security coverage on a 24/7 basis, with the amount of coverage determined by the time of day. Overall, the agreement provided for 52 hours per day of security officer presence at a rate of $32 an hour. The agreement included a termination clause, which we will discuss in detail in our discussion. Relations between the parties deteriorated quickly. What went wrong is the subject of dispute between the parties.…