Does a gate clicker and a gaurd gated entrance help against robberies and unwanted guests?

Started by JaggedT • 6 replies • 1834 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

JaggedT (Nevada)
Posts: 2

Posted:

In my gated commnunity, we only have the gates and security cameras. We don't have the gate clickers but we do have a security gaurd on duty that walks around.

I've been to other gated communities where residents have gate clicking access and all other people must get by the gaurd first before entering.

In your opinion, does the gate clicker and a gaurd gated entrance really make you feel safer?

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

It would depend on the individual and the surrounding area crime. My HOA does not have a guard gate; however, my grandmother’s community has a guard gate and it made her feel safer as she is elderly and living alone.

It also would potentially depend on the surrounding area and crime rate for your said surrounding area. If you have a gate, guard, and there is no current crime then that potentially should be good prevention at this time. If in the future, there is increased crime in the area, then maybe consider clicker and guard posted at the gate.

There are a lot of potential “what if” with regards to your question.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JaggedT on 04/01/2011 6:21 PM

In your opinion, does the gate clicker and a gaurd gated entrance really make you feel safer?

Feeling safer is an individual perception.

Having security guards, gates, patrols can be both good and bad. One perception can be that the development is a safe place to live. Another perception can be that there must be a lot of crime in the area that requires these measures.

It's all on how people wish to see the world.

Tim

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Jagged,

Unless the entire perimeter of your developement is secure with fences, brick walls, dense vegetaion or moats, you can gate every entrance and that will not deter the bad guys. They drive around the gates and thru any open areas. In my opinion, gates, even manned ones do little good if the rest of the area around your homes is not secure. Gates just restrict residents, visitors and delivery people, all who should have entrance.

HeatherB3 (Florida)
Posts: 32

Posted:

Good question.

When our community was first built and right after the turnover, we had a lot of problems with vandalism, theft, and homes being broken into. We have a community with a gate that uses a clicker or phone calling system but we still had these problems. We also have a very large common area with a clubhouse, pool, tennis court and basketball court. The kids from the neighboring communities were being dropped off to go swimming or play b-ball and there was no parent supervision. It was dreadful. One of my older neighbors was in the workout room and she was approached by two teenaged boys that did not belong and demand that they take them to her house so they could get something to drink, no telling what could have happened if she did. Thank God someone came in the workout room and questioned what was going on.

Anyway, they decided to get a guard just for spring break. It was like living I a different community, everything stopped and peace has been restored.

Fast forward 3 years, we now have a guard that patrols the common grounds as well as he watches the gate. If he sees someone trying to get into the gate by tailgating, he questions that person and sometimes asks them to leave. A few people were upset at this and got sick of the guard asking them every time they entered why they were there. Well the community handed out stickers to every homeowner that goes on the front windshield of the car. This cuts down having to stop every car and shows others in the community that they live here.

Our guard is only part time and is generally there during busy times, 3-9pm, However, we also stager there hours at times. This was the best thing we could have done was to hire guards. BTW, we have not had one home broken into in a year and a half, where we used to almost weekly. Also, communities around here have break-ins all the time, mainly kids being stupid. But, not ours!!!

ElbyJ
Posts: 29

Posted:

Our subdivision is behind a gate with clickers to access the area. The majority of homeowners will not consider the thought of doing away with the gates and all there issues of maintenance. We keep telling homeowners the gates provide "a false sense of security" and if the bad guys/girls really want into the area, they are going to find a way in. They can follow a car through the gate or climb the fences to get it. In our situation where an incident has been involved, it was not an outsider doing the harm, but from an inside threat!

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

I am sure it does make most people feel safer.

And the TSA makes most people feel safer about flying too.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here