Gate Access

Started by SheilaB7 • 9 replies • 185 views

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SheilaB7 (Arizona)
Posts: 19

Posted:

For those of you that have a gated community could you please tell me what kind of security you have at your HOA. We are a gated community and have a guard shack with employees 24x7 and have bar codes for owners to enter. Visitors need to sign in through the guard shack and receive a pass. We also have camera's that the guard shack monitors. Some think we are living in the past and there are better ways for security and more cost effective. I honestly do not know but would like your feedback.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

That is pretty standard for Guard Gated communities. I am puzzled as to why you say owners need to scan a bar code to enter.
that is typical of guest and visitors that have permanent permission from the homeowner to come on the property.

Homeowners typically use a windshield mounted transponder or garage door opener type remote to enter the property.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

We, too, have a 24/7 staffed Officer Kiosk at the vehicle exit/entrance gate.

There also is a fob reader that resident may swipe if the staffer has stepped away. We had windshield transponders years ago.

Residents must notify the kiosk in advance when they expect a. guest in a car on the premises. Reisident must provide expected time of arrival and departure make/color lic plate of car. The vistor gets a windshield pass with Visotr Parking on it or the deeded parking space # of the resident in the underground garage.

Permanent authorized gueys" are in a folder on a list .

Our looks pretty dated too, Sheila

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335

Posted:

My former condo was gated but did not have a guard shack.

People break through the gate several times a year. They are caught on camera; fined; and pay for the repair.

Quite apart from people breaking the gate, the cost of maintaining the gate is ridiculous. It broke often. This required (and requires today) the gate to be left open often for days at a time.

On the other hand I am certain the grounds are safer with the gate.

SheilaB7 (Arizona)
Posts: 19

Posted:

All our owner get a bar code when they move in and that is what raises the arm of the entry to let them in the community.

SheilaB7 (Arizona)
Posts: 19

Posted:

What is a Kiosk is that the name brand. I could look it up online.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Oh, sorry, Sheila, the Kiosk is the small enclosed building in which sit our Access Control Officers. Our HOA is 23 y.o. and the language in our documents has never been "Guard Shack." The language in our Rules & Regs "Gate Kiosk."

None of the vendors we've used to provided such staff never use the word "guards" in the 20 years I've lived here.

Our gates have rarely-- over those years --been out of service for more than a couple of hours. And we have two--entrance & exit.

We're a city center twin towers 25 story high rise. The developer Neve would have sold one unit back in '02 if he hadn't provided a gated staffed kiosk. And no developers would be able o see one unit today without similar limed access.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Oh---my major neglect! Resident have a sticker on the Driver side of their windshield that permits the kiosk staffer to open th gatefor them.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheilaB7 on 01/24/2025 5:31 PM
What is a Kiosk is that the name brand. I could look it up online.

google virtual gate attendant with HOA, condo or apartment access. You will start to see brands and service providers.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

I think a main reason why our kiosk must be staffed is the entry is in the heart of downtown with a lot of pedestrian traffic and some disreputable pedestrians as well.

With some sort of automatic transponder on a car--which could man no need for attendants--it is too easy for "tailgaters" to walk in next to the car. As noted, we do have fobs to get in via car, but it's very rare the kiosk is unattended as we have two officers on duty 20/7.

So it really depends of the setting of the HOA whether they can have some sort of "virtual gate attendant." I cna see where it'd be very effective in some settings.

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