Are Garage Security Codes Being Exposed by Athens Services on WeHo Buildings?

Dear WeHo,

I am writing to inform the community of a systemic security failure that is compromising the safety of residents in gated buildings across our city.

As the exclusive waste provider for West Hollywood, Athens Services has access to our private properties. However, their employees have adopted a dangerous protocol: writing sensitive access codes directly onto building exteriors. I have documented 15 separate instances on just a single street where these codes are written in pen and permanent marker on call boxes, signs, and gate motors.

The risk is specific:

• Compromised 8, 9, and 10-Pin Systems: Many of our gated buildings rely on DIP switch garage openers. I accidentally discovered these exact “on/off” pin sequences written on the walls. Unlike a digital code that is easily changed, these require manual hardware reconfiguration. Once Athens writes these down, the building is “unlocked” for anyone who knows where to look
• The Former Employee Threat: Since Athens Services operates city-wide, former employees—including those who may have been terminated—possess the knowledge of where these codes are hidden on their old routes. By leaving these codes exposed, Athens is bypassing the background checks and security layers residents rely on.
• An Open Invitation: This isn’t just about waste management; it’s about crime of opportunity. Any observant individual can see these codes and gain entry to “secured” garages.

Because every gated building in WeHo is serviced by Athens, property managers should:

• Immediate Code Changes: Every gated building in West Hollywood should change their 8/9/10-pin sequences immediately. If a code has been written on your property, your garage security is currently non-existent.
• Removal of Markings: Property managers must inspect their perimeters and remove these markings as soon as possible.
• Corporate Accountability: Athens Services must be prohibited from defacing private property with security data and must transition to a secure digital system for driver access.

A gate is only a security measure if the code remains secret. In West Hollywood, Athens Services has made those secrets public. I have attached photographs of these markings so property managers know exactly what to look for.

A single compromised garage gate gives an intruder access to dozens of homes and parked cars at once.

Edd Holman

Neighborhood Watch Block Co-Captain Gelson Heights

EddHolman@gmail.com

Below: An Athens employee allegedly grabbing the code and adjusting the clicker at one of the buildings today

Editor’s Note: Mr Holman will be meeting with Helen Collins, Director of Public Works, City of West Hollywood and a representative from Athens Services on Tuesday, February 17th. He will walk them through the neighborhood and show them the codes for the compromised gates. He was told the codes will be removed at that time too. Athens Services told Mr. Holman it did not believe their employees were responsible for writing the codes and that perhaps a delivery service was. Mr. Holman replied he’s not aware of any delivery service that enters through the garage; they usually access the property through the building’s entrance.