HOA Security Gate

Several members of the HOA have been discussing the need to install a security gate at the beginning of our community. The reason the gate is being considered is presently, there is no way of controlling who coming into the community. We would like to limit immediate access to only residents, their invited guests and authorized commercial vehicles. Also, while our rules state that renters need to register with the HOA we have found that not all do and they limit there profile by not using the amenities (or we hope they don't use them). By having a gate, only those residents/renters registered with the HOA would get an access pass. While we haven't had much crime in the 6 years I've been here, we had two purses snatched in the last month. One incident involved a couple following one of our residents back into the community and her home and taking her purse as she exited her car in her driveway. In the other event, the individual car was parked by the pool area. The car was locked but the purse was left on the seat. The individual broke the window and took the purse. Both incidents took place in daylight. My question is can anyone provide me with so idea of cost, etc. We were thinking of have the gate manned 12 hours a day from 7am - 7pm. Thanks. Dennis

The road was deeded back to the County many years ago. However, the idea has been presented the County Commissioners and they seem agreeable to look at deeding the road back to us.
The property is not fenced. We understand that foot traffic can enter but the terrain around the property does limit most of this.
The big concern is those people entering the community via vehicle, doing their deed and driving off. Also, I mention to reduce the number of commercial companies driving around the community looking to trim palms or trying to get their lawn service business going. Our rules require them to report to the HOA office and register. The office would confirm they are legitimate and insured. We continue to try to educate people on these matters but it doesn't work well. We do have no trespassing and no solicitation signs are the beginning of the community but again, "who reads?".
We have a COP program which patrols at night but they have no authority to stop vehicles or even leave their vehicle (County Sheriff's rules); eyes only.
A neighborhood watch program would be okay but this is 55 and older community and we have difficulty getting residents involved in most volunteer program now. (About 2% of the residents do most of the work.)
As part of this effort, we would also consider recommending access control for our Common Area building and amenities.
Would again be interested in hearing from anyone who might be able to provide some idea of cost and issues they have experienced with this idea. The group plans to but together a presentation for the Board prior to our Membership Meeting. Thanks.

We are only talking about the County deeding back about 1/2 mile of road just prior to entering the community proper. Our HOA already maintains our existing inner roadway. Our community consists of 1900 homes.
We will not be restricting access, per Florida Statutes, to anyone who is properly registered within the Community. This will, however, allow the HOA to know who is renting in the community as they would have to register with the HOA, as is required in our docs, to obtain whatever access control is decided upon. Often as not, we have had residents rent, through the owner, with neither reporting this to HOA.
As for the increase cost, this is one of the questions I'm asking of this group, especially those who have dealt with this before. We would need to solicit several contractors to come up with concepts and cost but thought I might get some ideas from here first.

Two sides of the community fronted by large savanna (part is State controlled). A third side has a berm which front on a secondary dirt road with limited access. The fourth side has some fencing and presently has a gate (chained) which would provide a secondary access in emergency. The County will be extending a road into this area but will be installing a fencing and gate for the community. This gate is suppose to provide ingress/egress for residents via some kind of device/keypad.

The thought is to have a guard on duty from say 7am to 7pm. These would be the hours when commercial vehicles would need access and allow outside access to our golf course. During unmanned hours, only the resident access gate would be available. Visitors would have to contact their host and have them come to open the gate. However, specific operation details would have to worked out and presented with the presentation. We were looking at a small gatehouse with 2 entry points (arm lift type gate).

As for law enforcement, the Sheriff will make a pass through the community maybe once a day but because the roads on considered private property they state they are limited in what they can do; unless we give them permission, which is unlikely.

Thanks. Appreciate all the input regarding this issue and will print it out for the group to read. If anyone can suggest others way whereby the HOA could control and know who was on our property, if all our renters were registered, etc. I love to hear from you.