AAC decides to test "loop" cardless method at Belleaire entrance.

[downeaster]

According to last Thursday's edition of the Sun. It sounds like the gates will open for any approaching vehicle the same as they do for departing traffic.

They went on to say: "Once installed, an electronic "loop" will allow motorists to enter the Belle Aire gate in The Villages without using a gate card."

It seems, according to Commissioner Carl Bell, "we are spending $1.8 million on gate operations, such as staffing and maintenance, and questioned the value of some procedures and expenses of the current system".

It will be interesting to see where this leads.

[NJblue]

They claimed in the article that the "security" comes from a camera taking a photo of the license plate. I'm not sure if this is the same method that is used for the gates at Odell coming into Hemingway as well as Canal off from 466A, but neither of these gates require an ID card either. I've often wondered why this is the case. I wonder if these gates use a photo system as well.

Given the way all vehicles are routinely waved through the various security gates, I have to wonder why they bother spending that amount of money on pseudo security guards.

[villages07]

NJ.... in areas that are still under development, the gates are left in the 'automatic open' state. Once development is complete and things have had a chance to settle down, they change the gates to require an entry card. At least, that's been the practice for the past few years.

[Army Guy]

My question is since we now have technology like used in "Sunpass" why can't we be given something like that for our vehicles instead of the current swipe card? I mean for some as they get older it may really be hard to reach out and down.

Army Guy

[zcaveman]

I think that was discussed and deemed too expensive.

[NJblue]

NJ.... in areas that are still under development, the gates are left in the 'automatic open' state. Once development is complete and things have had a chance to settle down, they change the gates to require an entry card. At least, that's been the practice for the past few years.

Perhaps this is the case, but I still wonder why they bother with a card swipe if all you have to do to enter an area is go through a manned position and have them wave you through. Perhaps they only take a picture of the cars that go through the visitors entrance. But, that begs the question as to why they need manned security at all. Since the person offers no additional level of security, why spend all that money for this.

[billethkid]

is a weak response. Eye wash (intended appearance of security to newbies....bingo).

If you had to pay a monthly fee to have the Sun Pass technology are you ready to pay for "eye wash"?
I wouldn't think so.

btk

[zcaveman]

Perhaps this is the case, but I still wonder why they bother with a card swipe if all you have to do to enter an area is go through a manned position and have them wave you through. Perhaps they only take a picture of the cars that go through the visitors entrance. But, that begs the question as to why they need manned security at all. Since the person offers no additional level of security, why spend all that money for this.

One of my friends is a gate guard and his main job is to give directions to the lost and the delivery people.

[Army Guy]

If they truely make TV resident areas gated, by any means, yes, me & wife personnally WOULD pay extra, in what ever form.

Army Guy

[army one]

Security here is a joke. Yes they have cameras, but they leave the quality of security to us. It is up to us to report anything suspicious. Anyone can get anywhere in the villages. If you don't want to be noticed all you have to do is push the button and turn your face away from the camera. If you have a common car and cover you license plate, the chances of you being identified is little to none. Kind of funny, the car wash I used up north had an ID system installed it on my car's windshield (stick on). When I pulled up to the gate it identified who I was, what kind of car I was driving, what credit card I was going to use and the type of car wash I normally used. If I wanted my normal car wash (they had many different levels) I just pulled ahead thru the gate area and my car was taken care of and my credit card was charged. If a one location car wash can afford to do that for every regular customer the cost could not be a major factor. Apparently the powers to be are not sure what is wanted, security or convenience. My vote is for security.

[Army Guy]

Army One I agree. Plus the more you buy the cheaper it becomes.
I guess it is just the Army in us, with Gate Guards when entering posts!

Army Guy

[billethkid]

A true gated community is designed to be secure and the gates are the entry point with access not being available any other way.

The Villages on a scale of 1-10 being a gated community is a one. That is given only because there is a gate present. Access is open to any and all, from most any direction wants to come in.

Eye wash!!!

btk

[REH7380]

I believe one of the charges being uses by the IRS against The Villages is that it is not truly an open community as it is gated. Of course The Villages indicated that although there are gates no one is denied access, etc. If the gates were removed that may be a way of removing one IRS issue? In the latest POA Mag. they have a summary of the IRS case so it may be worthwhile to pick up a copy.

[downeaster]

We can not be a "truly" gated community. Most of our streets are public rights of way maintained by the various counties and the City of Lady Lake.

At one time gates did not open at the push of the red button. They have since made it easier at the insistence of local governments.

It may be this further easing, by virtue of this card less loop test, is a case of the "camel's nose under the tent flap". ( Pretty soon he will be in bed with us).

It may be the cameras are a sufficient deterrent. Red buttons are certainly not. Also, does it make any sense to have a gate attendant at one end of the street and no attendant at the other? That's the case with Talleyridge and it permits cardless access to Belle Aire, Glenbrook and Polo Ridge.

[golf2140]

Army,

WE did have secure gates. The County Commissioners changed all that saying " since county money is used to maintain the roads, anyone must have access". This issue should be addressed to our elected officials

[army one]

If the gates were put were they belong instead of on the thru streets this wouldn't be a problem. Rhyme, reason, and common sense has not and continues not to be used when deciding gate locations. They were installed in places to be visible and give the impression of security and to try to slow down traffic. The proper locations would be at the entrances of streets that are only one way in to a community and the same way out. Poor planning, after the mistake was made it has continued on throughout TV.

[chacam]

Talley Ridge is a thru street. Are you saying that there should be gates at all the side streets? That would be 25 gates. Or Southern Trace, another 18 gates.

[villager99]

weren't some of the gate changes made so fema would come into the villages should we experience another tornado or other distaster? i think this point has been previously discussed. search for FEMA to read older threads on this topic

[rshoffer]

There is a gated village in TV. It has a peculiar name.... think it's Hickory Hammock or something like that. Your gate cards will NOT work there. It's sort of the VIP Village. Wonder if that troubles the IRS

[katezbox]

I believe one of the charges being uses by the IRS against The Villages is that it is not truly an open community as it is gated. Of course The Villages indicated that although there are gates no one is denied access, etc. If the gates were removed that may be a way of removing one IRS issue? In the latest POA Mag. they have a summary of the IRS case so it may be worthwhile to pick up a copy.

REH,

I did not recall being gated or not as a part of the IRS's case. I reviewed the summary in the POA newsletter and could not find a reference to this. Could you cite your source?

There is a gated village in TV. It has a peculiar name.... think it's Hickory Hammock or something like that. Your gate cards will NOT work there. It's sort of the VIP Village. Wonder if that troubles the IRS

RSH

Can we speculate based on fact as opposed to unsubstantiated opinion?

[Ohiogirl]

Seems to me that the gates do one thing well - slow down cars to keep the roadways safer for golf cart crossings. I don't think they should be taken down for just that reason.

I also think that the Villages is so big, and there are so many deliveries and service vehicles coming in and out that traffic would be slowed to a crawl if we had truly gated communities. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the crime rate really really low?

[Jeff Bieberfeld]

Security here is a joke. Yes they have cameras, but they leave the quality of security to us. It is up to us to report anything suspicious. Anyone can get anywhere in the villages. If you don't want to be noticed all you have to do is push the button and turn your face away from the camera. If you have a common car and cover you license plate, the chances of you being identified is little to none. Kind of funny, the car wash I used up north had an ID system installed it on my car's windshield (stick on). When I pulled up to the gate it identified who I was, what kind of car I was driving, what credit card I was going to use and the type of car wash I normally used. If I wanted my normal car wash (they had many different levels) I just pulled ahead thru the gate area and my car was taken care of and my credit card was charged. If a one location car wash can afford to do that for every regular customer the cost could not be a major factor. Apparently the powers to be are not sure what is wanted, security or convenience. My vote is for security.

I like the idea of a free car wash every time you go through the gates.
chilout

[joannej]

One of my friends is a gate guard and his main job is to give directions to the lost and the delivery people.

___________________________
I got lost in TV and was given excellent directions by a gate guard.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

The gates are not manned by security guards or gate guards. They are manned by gate attendants. We (I am a sub.) give directions to people and try to make sure the traffic flows without mishap.
Keep in mind that these are roads paid with county funds and you can't stop people from using public roads. We can slow them down and give directions.
If we were a "gated" community the price of maintaining the roads would be on the residents and that would cause our fees to be very high. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Army Guy]

Depending how much I would pay for it to be totally private and gated.

Army Guy

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I was a security-police officer (shift commander/patrol sgt.) for a private gated community of 10,000 people in NW Indiana. (Lakes of The Four Seasons, Crown Point, In.)They have 1 golf course, 1 clubhouse and 1 pool. The poa dues are about what we pay in our amenity fees, but you had to pay a membership fee to p:beer3:lay golf (several hundred) pay a fee to use the pool, a fee to have use your golf cart, a fee to use your boat and a fee for a boat slip.
All maintenance on roads, clubhouse etc. is paid for by the homeowners. Also you would get pulled over for speeding and if you did not pay the ticket fines it could be charged against your home. After giving out several thousand tickets for traffic and ordinance violations I decided that when I retired it would be someplace like TV instead of a full gated community.
Like you, I am concerned about security and the fact that anyone can come in. This is another reason we like the Villas.....1 way in and 1 way out and the neighbors watch out for each other like family.:beer3:

[REH7380]

In your response in the TOTV you asked the following question and I thought I would give you a reference point:

"I did not recall being gated or not as a part of the IRS's case. I reviewed the summary in the POA newsletter and could not find a reference to this. Could you cite your source?"

On Page 13 of the IRS response to Mr.Charles H.Smity there are references to The Villages being a gated community with 27 tax exampt bond gates. and goes into some detail regarding The Villages being gated, etc.

[katezbox]

In your response in the TOTV you asked the following question and I thought I would give you a reference point:

"I did not recall being gated or not as a part of the IRS's case. I reviewed the summary in the POA newsletter and could not find a reference to this. Could you cite your source?"

On Page 13 of the IRS response to Mr.Charles H.Smity there are references to The Villages being a gated community with 27 tax exampt bond gates. and goes into some detail regarding The Villages being gated, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I will look into it.

k