HOA gate entry systems - duplicating transmitter code problems

Yes a manned gate.

key cards vs. clickers

Most of our problems with illegal entry are due to residents sharing the "common vendor" code with all their friends. Duplicating clicker codes is probably not that common. We end up changing the common vendor codes every few moths to try to stay ahead of the problem.

My understanding is that there are systems available that give a different code to each resident, and also different codes to vendors. In this way the codes can be tracked to see which "resident's codes" are being used much more than others, but this does not really solve the problem in my opinion. How should usage per code be used/enforced?

I like the idea of a system where 1 (or 2?) "cards" are given to each residence. Since the cards can't (?) be duplicated, the only way for illegal entry situations is if residents give their cards to someone outside the development. But vendors will not likely be given cards, so a vendor specific code (or common vendor code) will need to happen, and the problem can still exist if these codes are passed around.

Maybe there really is no solution.....outside of 24/7 manned gate. But that is outside our budget.

Other ideas?
thx

Gotcha. We had exactly the same problem a few years ago for similar reasons. Every pizza delivery guy in the county knew the code. And also the dozens of customers one resident had for her strongly-suspected-but-never-proven drug selling business. When she moved out the board finally changed the code to deter lookey-loos and who knows what other kinds of people who had no business being in here. We know that a gated entry system provides more of a psychological sense of well-being rather than any real "security", but we wanted it changed anyway. We're also aware that there are communities in more densely populated areas of south Florida who change their gate code every 6 months like clockwork.

Anyway, we've still got our old system which doesn't log or record anything. A system that does do that is on our shopping list when the time comes to replace the gate-entry system. Specific codes can be set up for regular vendors and visitors, yes. With a system that logs entries you can look for unusual usage patterns and deal with the problem-children on an as-needed basis. I think some systems will also let you restrict the times of day that certain cards/codes will work. For instance if someone's trying to use a housekeeper's entry card at 2 AM then they're not getting onto the property unless they first call the resident to buzz them in at that hour.

There are also systems with which you can give out bar code decals that residents put on the inside of their windshields. Those are probably more expensive since you need a scanner to read the barcodes from several feet away and they have to work in inclement weather, too, but perhaps one scanner with cheap decals is less expensive than a card reader and hundreds of indivisually-coded cards. I'm not sure, we haven't looked too hard yet for actual alternatives.

And finally, our CC&Rs give the board the power "... to establish security rules for ABC_HOA which would require that the guardhouse be staffed as determined by the Association." In 30 years it has never been manned (way too expensive) although it certainly could be. There's a tiny restroom that we let the landscapers use on the day of the week they're on-site.