Security and Gates

[Cateca]

We moved here from a gated community in another state and became used to having a guard at the entrance who upon asking the visitor's name either opened the gate/barrier or denied access. The latter when the resident being visited so requested.

Here is The Villages, there are gates galore; it seems every village has one, whether with a guard or without. However, access is really a big joke, since all the "visitor" to an unguarded village has to do is press a button by the gate, thus lifting the barrier.

My question thus is: How can a villager control who comes to "visit"?

[Bryan]

The short answer to Cateca's question is "Your Front Door!". To really control visitors you either open or do not open the door to them. You have no control over them getting into your village or onto your street though, unless you have a Restraining Order ordering them not to come within "X" number of feet of you. If they violate the RO, call the police.

[HawkeyeBarb]

I must admit, when we first visited TV with our daughter in October of 2003 we had lunch in Spanish Springs and then decided to "drive thru some neighborhoods". When we came to the first gate, we assumed that the whole community was gated and we turned around and went back to Spanish Springs and walked around there. The gate did act as a deterent for us and I bet they do for some people who don't know all you have to do is push a button to open a gate up!!

[graciegirl]

The short answer to Cateca's question is "Your Front Door!". To really control visitors you either open or do not open the door to them. You have no control over them getting into your village or onto your street though, unless you have a Restraining Order ordering them not to come within "X" number of feet of you. If they violate the RO, call the police.

That is pretty much how it is.

This bothers some people and not others.

I am one that it doesn't bother.

And then the fight begins and there will be conversations about guns and all that stuff.

I am not waiting around for it. I am going to pick all of the dirt outa those litte grooves in my irons just in case it doesn't rain today and we get to play golf. Does anyone know why they put little grooves in irons? You pay a lot of money for them so it must interact with the dimples on the ball somehow.

I had a birdie last week. Maybe the old game is coming back.

Maybe it isn't.

Now back to gates.

[Challenger]

I suspect that without the gates we would see many more contacts between cars and carts. If nothing else they slow down the movements around contact points. One of the big draws in TV is the allure of travel in a cart and some efforts to improve safety is appreciated, at least by me. I am just surprised that the counties will allow installation and management of the gates by a local community on public roads.:gc:

[784caroline]

They do serve as a deterent.....but not certain it is the bad guys!

It may be a few years down the road but I think how gates are manned will be an issue once the homeowners take control of their own budget...and realize that it costs over $1.4 million a year (Per the Village Sun) to man and maintain these gates. In the meantime they serve the purpose for the developer to provide a ""guise" of a gated community and a "sense of security" to all visitors and future Villagers.

[JenAjd]

I suppose when the place was first built there was a gate for security but as it grew the gates were placed as a way to slow people down. The men there are for direction to newcomers and as a "friendly" way to greet us all.

I don't think that in the selling of this place there was anything said about it being a "secured" place. It was never mentioned to us at any stage of our moving here. We all just need to be prudent in our lives as in living anywhere in this world. I do appreciate the "Village Watch" people. We inadvertently have left our garage door open at night and have received a call both times checking on us. If thieves really wanted to get into a place they could w/o much effort in any case I think. Wouldn't matter if we had secure gates or not. I remember reading about a group of teens in CA who made it their goal to get into famous people's places and stealing personal items and had done so for a long period of time w/o being caught. I would think these celeberties would have had "secure" places

[paulandjean]

I feel pretty secure here. I think most people do. If its 2am and you are out walking,would you feel a little better here or lets say in Wildwood.

[Bogie Shooter]

I feel pretty secure here. I think most people do. If its 2am and you are out walking,would you feel a little better here or lets say in Wildwood.

What's wrong with Wildwood?

[Bogie Shooter]

We moved here from a gated community in another state and became used to having a guard at the entrance who upon asking the visitor's name either opened the gate/barrier or denied access. The latter when the resident being visited so requested.

Here is The Villages, there are gates galore; it seems every village has one, whether with a guard or without. However, access is really a big joke, since all the "visitor" to an unguarded village has to do is press a button by the gate, thus lifting the barrier.

My question thus is: How can a villager control who comes to "visit"?

Did you realize this "big joke" before or after you bought here?

[paulandjean]

Wildwood? If you do not know whats wrong with wildwood at 2 am, I think you better sit down and its time for a talk.

[Bogie Shooter]

all of Wildwood?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

That is pretty much how it is.

This bothers some people and not others.

I am one that it doesn't bother.

And then the fight begins and there will be conversations about guns and all that stuff.

I am not waiting around for it. I am going to pick all of the dirt outa those litte grooves in my irons just in case it doesn't rain today and we get to play golf. Does anyone know why they put little grooves in irons? You pay a lot of money for them so it must interact with the dimples on the ball somehow.

I had a birdie last week. Maybe the old game is coming back.

Maybe it isn't.

Now back to gates.

It's time to get your meds adjusted, my friend............. :1rotfl:

Bill :)

[paulandjean]

all of Wildwood?

I am not sure, What do you think?Maybe you can start out walking 466a to 301 at 2am.I am sure you would be able to tell me.

[Bogie Shooter]

I am not sure, What do you think?Maybe you can start out walking 466a to 301 at 2am.I am sure you would be able to tell me.

Just wondering what you meant by your statement. There are probably residents of Wildwood who would be offended by your generalization.

[obxgal]

I'm a resident of the Villages and I am offended by paulandjean's remark.

[Schaumburger]

When visiting TV for the first time last year, and I wanted to go to a open house, if a gate was manned, most of the gate staff just waved me in -- very friendly I thought. A couple of the gate staff asked if I was visiting a resident, and I told them I was going to an open house on ______ Street, and then they let me in. On the unmanned gates, I had heard about the pushing the button, which I did, then I was on my way to the open house.

Now that it it looks like I will be renting a patio villa in the Village of Chatham for a week this July, I will have to find out from the owner if using my guest pass will be enought to get me in -- I don't know which gate entrance the rental house is closest to so I don't know if that gate is manned or unmanned. Can't wait for July to arrive! :2excited:

[rubicon]

The gates are a charade. It occurred to me that the sales people remained mute concerning whether TV was a gated community which meant that many propspective buyers were left with the impression that it was. I prefer a gated community but it will never happen here.

[paulandjean]

Do not be offended,Just common sense. I feel safer here at 2am then in Wildwood, Clevland, or Detroit for that matter.You do not like my remarks fine. Do not be so sensitive. Just the facts thats all.

[barb1191]

I must admit, when we first visited TV with our daughter in October of 2003 we had lunch in Spanish Springs and then decided to "drive thru some neighborhoods". When we came to the first gate, we assumed that the whole community was gated and we turned around and went back to Spanish Springs and walked around there. The gate did act as a deterent for us and I bet they do for some people who don't know all you have to do is push a button to open a gate up!!

I moved here Feb 2002 and at that time none of the gates had pushbuttons to enter; one needed a passcard, or enter at a gate where there was a person attending the entry.

I don't recall just when the gates became unmanned with pushbuttons, however I vaguely recall that the county ordinances enforced their roads to not be locked, thus the pushbuttons. County roads in TV are not owned by TV; each county owns and maintains these roads.

[bluedog103]

Do not be offended,Just common sense. I feel safer here at 2am then in Wildwood, Clevland, or Detroit for that matter.You do not like my remarks fine. Do not be so sensitive. Just the facts thats all.
What facts are you referring to?

[downeaster]

Originally this was a gated community. However the streets, with a few exceptions, are county owned and maintained. therefore the county said they must be accessible to all as they are maintained by taxpayers' money. The county agreed to letting the gates stay as long as there were provisions for general accessibility. The addition of the "little red button" satisfied them.

It would have been foolhardy to do away with the gates. As someone has pointed out, it would have created dangerous crossings for golf carts and golf carts are a big factor here.

Are they a deterrent to criminal activity? Probably not but some might argue otherwise. In fact, some studies have shown little or no difference in crime in gated communities and non gated. Crime generally follows money and gated communities are perceived as wealthy communities.

If they belong to the county how come we maintain the roadsides? Because we want them to be attractive. I believe the county credits The Villages the amount the county would normally spend on roadside maintenance.

I have lived here going on ten years and I don't ever remember The Villages claiming to be a gated community. However, I can understand why some might think otherwise. After all, some gates are manned and most have gatehouses. A prospective buyer might draw the wrong conclusion and be upset after the purchase and finding we are not a real gated community.

I think The Villages is a safe community. Not because of gates but because of the people who live here. We are a pretty decent bunch and we look out for each other.

[Gil Chapin]

Originally this was a gated community. However the streets, with a few exceptions, are county owned and maintained. therefore the county said they must be accessible to all as they are maintained by taxpayers' money. The county agreed to letting the gates stay as long as there were provisions for general accessibility. The addition of the "little red button" satisfied them.

It would have been foolhardy to do away with the gates. As someone has pointed out, it would have created dangerous crossings for golf carts and golf carts are a big factor here.

Are they a deterrent to criminal activity? Probably not but some might argue otherwise. In fact, some studies have shown little or no difference in crime in gated communities and non gated. Crime generally follows money and gated communities are perceived as wealthy communities.

If they belong to the county how come we maintain the roadsides? Because we want them to be attractive. I believe the county credits The Villages the amount the county would normally spend on roadside maintenance.

I have lived here going on ten years and I don't ever remember The Villages claiming to be a gated community. However, I can understand why some might think otherwise. After all, some gates are manned and most have gatehouses. A prospective buyer might draw the wrong conclusion and be upset after the purchase and finding we are not a real gated community.

I think The Villages is a safe community. Not because of gates but because of the people who live here. We are a pretty decent bunch and we look out for each other.

Thanks, downeaster, that's the best explanation I've heard. I've lived here for a year and a half and visited relatives here frequently for a year or two before that and I always wondered how a private entity could obstruct traffic on a public road. I hadn't considered the golf cart crossing factor, but I knew from the start the gates had little to do with security. As I've heard it said, "it's not a gated community - it's a community with gates". I can take care of my own security...

[hadawayj]

I have "owned" a home here since 2005. I can say that I was lead to believe that it was a gated community from Realtor working for TV. It was only after the purchase did I realize that the roads belong to and are maintained by the County. I would like to see it someday be a gated community.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have "owned" a home here since 2005. I can say that I was lead to believe that it was a gated community from Realtor working for TV. It was only after the purchase did I realize that the roads belong to and are maintained by the County. I would like to see it someday be a gated community.

I do not think we can afford to buy back all the roads from the county, or why would we want to.

[Trish Crocker]

:shocked:LITTLE RED BUTTON????????? Why didn't I know that on our lifestyle visit when I had to walk back to our villa to get the pass in a pouring rain???? Darn!!!!

[Trish Crocker]

I hope I never become so paranoid that I must have a gate into my neighborhood. I have lived in the city of Detroit and many of it's suburbs and have never felt the need to be 'gated'. If someone wants to get into an area, they will find a way, with or without gates. One advantage of the gates in TV is that it forces people to slow down, no whipping around the corner into the sub. Personally I like the gates in the villages, I think they are kind of cool....I just don't ever, ever want to have to depend upon gates or fences or guards for my safety. What would be next? Barbed wire? If that's the case, I might as well be living in a prison. Remember....There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

[graciegirl]

I hope I never become so paranoid that I must have a gate into my neighborhood. I have lived in the city of Detroit and many of it's suburbs and have never felt the need to be 'gated'. If someone wants to get into an area, they will find a way, with or without gates. One advantage of the gates in TV is that it forces people to slow down, no whipping around the corner into the sub. Personally I like the gates in the villages, I think they are kind of cool....I just don't ever, ever want to have to depend upon gates or fences or guards for my safety. What would be next? Barbed wire? If that's the case, I might as well be living in a prison. Remember....There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

I think you are one smart person.

There is a hug waiting for you.

[angiefox10]

When we went to TV in July and came on the gate we turned around too... Hubby mentioned to me about the "red button." Sooooo being the rebel I am I urged him to push it! Of curers he wouldn't, so I made him stop the car, I got out and pushed the button when the gate opened he drove through it and I then ran to the car giggling. I felt like Bonnie and Clyde! :a040:

Whew.... think anyone saw us????

[Barefoot]

I have "owned" a home here since 2005. I can say that I was lead to believe that it was a gated community from Realtor working for TV. It was only after the purchase did I realize that the roads belong to and are maintained by the County. I would like to see it someday be a gated community.

We also thought it was a gated community when we purchased in 2007. But I feel that the current system works just fine. I feel perfectly safe and will take a walk at any time of day or night.

I wouldn't want the additional expense on my Amenity Bill of maintaining the roads now owned by the County.

[Trish Crocker]

I think you are one smart person.

There is a hug waiting for you.

Thank you Gracie...and I will be there to collect the hug as soon as I can!

Trish:)

[Larry Wilson]

I agree with Bare. When we bought here, none of us (my friends) knew the roads were owned by the county(many still don't). We all thought this place was gated.
Also, we were told to guard those gate passes and how much we would have to pay if we lost one. It was just a given we would have to replace it in order to get around the Villages.
The same secret is being kept today. We have had quite a few friends come here on a Lifestyle (even some just last month) and they all think this is a gated community even after the tours by the Village realtors. The realtors always use the gate cards.
The gates are deceiving. Why have a gate if everyone can come in? I bet we are the only "gated" community that the roads are owned by the county and everyone can use all the roads any time of day or night.

[deb133]

Do not be offended,Just common sense. I feel safer here at 2am then in Wildwood, Clevland, or Detroit for that matter.You do not like my remarks fine. Do not be so sensitive. Just the facts thats all.

Several years ago when our daughters were high school age my husband and I sacrificed in order to send them to private catholic academies just outside of Philadelphia where we lived. We honestly believed they would get a better education in a suburban school district. We found that the girls from the burbs were very wary of our kids. They had preconceived ideas of "city girls" that were very hard to overcome. Needless to say my children had a hard way to go. They had to deal with stereotypes on a daily basis.

Having said that it should also be noted that Holland Pennsylvania does in no way have the crime that Philadelphia has or had. Given the choice of walking at 2am in Holland or 2am anywhere in Philadelphia, I would have to say I would prefer to be in Holland . . . it is no reflection on the people who live in Philly. It is more a statement of a few bad apples making it hard for the whole bunch. You never hear about the people who make life better for others, the bad apples get all the attention. That's the rub!

[gary42651]

We are not a `gated` community...we are a community with gates...

[momesu]

I hope I never become so paranoid that I must have a gate into my neighborhood. I have lived in the city of Detroit and many of it's suburbs and have never felt the need to be 'gated'. If someone wants to get into an area, they will find a way, with or without gates. One advantage of the gates in TV is that it forces people to slow down, no whipping around the corner into the sub. Personally I like the gates in the villages, I think they are kind of cool....I just don't ever, ever want to have to depend upon gates or fences or guards for my safety. What would be next? Barbed wire? If that's the case, I might as well be living in a prison. Remember....There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well said.....thanks! I hope one day to get to meet you.
Suzanne

[Trish Crocker]

Thank you Suzanne...I'm looking forward to meeting you too (hopefully in the near future!! )

[Schaumburger]

:shocked:LITTLE RED BUTTON????????? Why didn't I know that on our lifestyle visit when I had to walk back to our villa to get the pass in a pouring rain???? Darn!!!!

The first time I visited TV last year I was told about the "little red button." When I went to open houses in different villages during my visit this past July, I always told the person at the gate "I'm going to an open house on _________ street."

I always appreciated the friendly greeting of the person manning the gate in the Village of Chatham where I rented in July. I felt like I was coming "home" even though I knew I would only be there for one week. I hope the Village of Sabal Chase has friendly gate people when I rent in October.

[Schaumburger]

When we went to TV in July and came on the gate we turned around too... Hubby mentioned to me about the "red button." Sooooo being the rebel I am I urged him to push it! Of curers he wouldn't, so I made him stop the car, I got out and pushed the button when the gate opened he drove through it and I then ran to the car giggling. I felt like Bonnie and Clyde! :a040:

Whew.... think anyone saw us????

You wild people live on the edge!!! :laugh:

[hedoman]

We are not a `gated` community...we are a community with gates...

Polo Ridge has a gate so I am living in a "gated community". The idea of going through the postal boxes area and get right in doesn't mean bad guys will do that too.....
The gates do slow folks down which is a good thing

[Posh 08]

Are there cameras at the gates or elsewhere? They sometimes deter but mostly show "who dun it". IMHO

[angiefox10]

Are there cameras at the gates or elsewhere? They sometimes deter but mostly show "who dun it". IMHO

We were told there were cameras by a sales agent and by an owner who said thats how they knew who busted the gate at 1:00 am in the morning coming in drunk.

[tainsley]

When we went to TV in July and came on the gate we turned around too... Hubby mentioned to me about the "red button." Sooooo being the rebel I am I urged him to push it! Of curers he wouldn't, so I made him stop the car, I got out and pushed the button when the gate opened he drove through it and I then ran to the car giggling. I felt like Bonnie and Clyde! :a040:

Whew.... think anyone saw us????

That's funny. I also was stopped at a gate going over to Southern Trace area...digging in my purse for gate pass when the gentlemen behind me got out of his cart and pushed the button. I was so embarassed, said thanks and went on my way! :laugh:

[BigLew]

I hope I never become so paranoid that I must have a gate into my neighborhood. I have lived in the city of Detroit and many of it's suburbs and have never felt the need to be 'gated'. If someone wants to get into an area, they will find a way, with or without gates. One advantage of the gates in TV is that it forces people to slow down, no whipping around the corner into the sub. Personally I like the gates in the villages, I think they are kind of cool....I just don't ever, ever want to have to depend upon gates or fences or guards for my safety. What would be next? Barbed wire? If that's the case, I might as well be living in a prison. Remember....There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

also, once through the gates, unless otherwise posted the max speed limit is 25mph, as noted in other threads. this was a request by the builder as it is not the 30mph norm on local roads. All were part of the plan to limit speeds and increase safety. The gates do take pictures of people entering which are available for review should any crime occur...:police:

[asianthree]

I am still getting over the shock that the gates cost 1.5 million.....we could get a really big indoor heated pool for everyone

[angiefox10]

I am still getting over the shock that the gates cost 1.5 million.....we could get a really big indoor heated pool for everyone

WHAT??? NO indoor heated pool???? CRAP!!! That does it!!!! :cus:

Just kidding....

[Schaumburger]

Probably a dumb question, but does your gate pass work at all gates, or just the gate for the Village you live in? When I rented in Chatham in July I just assumed my gate pass just worked at the Chatham entrance gate. I will be back in October renting in Sabal Chase so I thought I would ask before Oct.

[nkrifats]

Probably a dumb question, but does your gate pass work at all gates, or just the gate for the Village you live in? When I rented in Chatham in July I just assumed my gate pass just worked at the Chatham entrance gate. I will be back in October renting in Sabal Chase so I thought I would ask before Oct.

Works at all gates.

[Schaumburger]

Works at all gates.

Thank you!

[downeaster]

also, once through the gates, unless otherwise posted the max speed limit is 25mph, as noted in other threads. this was a request by the builder as it is not the 30mph norm on local roads. All were part of the plan to limit speeds and increase safety. The gates do take pictures of people entering which are available for review should any crime occur...:police:

Didn't I read somewhere that will change to 20 MPH effective Jan. 1, 2012?

[Pturner]

I am still getting over the shock that the gates cost 1.5 million.....we could get a really big indoor heated pool for everyone

Hi Asianthree,
Gates or no, it would have to be one "really big" pool indeed to serve the 80,000 living in TV, let alone the 110,000 population at build out. I can't see that just a single heated indoor pool included in the amenity fees is feasible for a population the size of TV. All of the other included amenities are located throughout TV for convenient access and are built for so many thousand per facility. They may be crowded at times, but are available to all Villagers as some times. A single heated indoor pool could not serve the demand.

The gates and cameras are a deterrent to crime, serve a purpose in slowing traffic and separating carts and cars entering neighborhoods and add charm to the community. To me, the price-tag is not high for a community this size.

[Larry Wilson]

We had a pool. You paid to use the fitness center and the pool.
Harold planned for many of these fitness centers with pools. You will find indoor pools in every gated community around here.
Many cannot take the full sun and in the winter there are many days the air is too cold to use the pools.
For many elderly, that indoor pool was the only exercise they got all winter.
A reason some moved.
One more example of the good old days for us who have lived here for 7 or more years.
I know this will bring on the posts about how everything is perfect in the Villages. Well I have lived here long enough to tell you, both my wife and I used that pool. Many people were very upset when it was taken away.
I like it here too but we should have an indoor pool. Go see how many people wrote that in " the what I hate about the Villages' thread.

Back to thread. Not one crime or robbery was ever prevented or solved by those gates. Yes, we have crime in the Villages. Our best friends and others have been robbed. Not often reported. But on the whole we are safe here .
I do agree the gates are good for slowing down traffic. I also agree many people hit the gates.

[buggyone]

We have crime in The Villages? Yes, there are some golf clubs taken from golf cart at a parking lot now and then. I have heard of unoccupied homes being broken into by service techs from some companies or even groundskeepers on a very rare occasion. I have not heard of ANY violent crime such as strongarm robbery, muggings, or things like that. I see people walking safely at midnight here.

I have seen the teenagers from Lady Lake area hanging out at Spanish Springs and the Church on the Square at night. No one is causing any problems.

This is the most crime-free community I could imagine.

[Yorio]

Is there a phone number one can call, if there is suspicious activities going on or someone walking who doesn't seem to belong in the neighborhood?

[buggyone]

You can always call Community Watch at 753-0550. They have no police power at all but would be willing most likely to "check out" suspicious activity - such as a group of people emptying out a house at 3 am.

I do wonder about the phrase of "someone walking who doesn't seem to belong in the neighborhood".

[graciegirl]

We have crime in The Villages? Yes, there are some golf clubs taken from golf cart at a parking lot now and then. I have heard of unoccupied homes being broken into by service techs from some companies or even groundskeepers on a very rare occasion. I have not heard of ANY violent crime such as strongarm robbery, muggings, or things like that. I see people walking safely at midnight here.

I have seen the teenagers from Lady Lake area hanging out at Spanish Springs and the Church on the Square at night. No one is causing any problems.

This is the most crime-free community I could imagine.

Everyone knows this is my hot button.

I agree with you completely. I think people bring their fears with them from their old place. Relatively speaking...this is a VERY safe place.

We have had one murder, before we came three years ago. Someones adult child was somehow mixed up with drugs and someone came and shot the mother of that child...am I correct on that one? We had a domestic abuse case last year where a woman shot through the bathroom door at her husband and wounded him badly.

We have had clubs and carts stolen. The cart stealing was done by a villagers son and he was caught.

We have had appliances stolen from homes not yet moved into. We have had reported instances of expensive jewelry being stolen out of a home when people were not present.

When taking our grandson to the hospital two years ago in the middle of the night we saw two women jogging down Morse at four in the morning.

I feel safe here, but you are gonna hear that others do not.

And you will then hear about carrying guns here in order to feel safe.

We are all different in how we percieve things.

[thistrucksforyou]

We moved here from a gated community in another state and became used to having a guard at the entrance who upon asking the visitor's name either opened the gate/barrier or denied access. The latter when the resident being visited so requested.

Here is The Villages, there are gates galore; it seems every village has one, whether with a guard or without. However, access is really a big joke, since all the "visitor" to an unguarded village has to do is press a button by the gate, thus lifting the barrier.

My question thus is: How can a villager control who comes to "visit"?


The villages has never advertised itself as a gated community... It always advertises itself as FLORIDAS FRIENDLIEST HOMETOWN....

[SteveBressi]

The Villages are not restricted access. The Gates, however, are a deterrant. Just the fact that a outsider has to interact with someone to gain entry and there are cameras are enough. The point about the slowing of traffic at cart crossings is also a good one.

All-in-all I believe the gates are well-worth the money we pay for them and do deter crime and other unsavory entry to our communities. Nothing will completely prevent crime - not even restricted entry.

Overall, the Villages is a safe and secure community and the gates help keep it that way.

[GTTPF]

After! I'm not real happy about not being told, it is underhanded practice that I didn't expect from TV.:boxing2:

[Barefoot]

After! I'm not real happy about not being told, it is underhanded practice that I didn't expect from TV.:boxing2:

When you first look at properties with a Village Agent, I believe they deliberately try to give the impression that it is a gated community and you cannot get access without a resident card. When we purchased, we believed we would be living in a gated community.

However, having said that, now it doesn't matter to me one bit. I feel perfectly safe. I think the current system works just fine. Gates are a bit of a deterrent to anyone unfamiliar with the entry system. And we don't have to pay to maintain the roads.

[dblwyr]

I have read material recently in the Villages publications, clarifying that this is not a gated community. The gates are for the purpose of slowing traffic, and to the extent entrants are photographed or access the voice commuinication there may be some control. The roads in the Villages are public roads. I did know this before moving here, and am fine with it.

[Jerseygirl08]

We were told there were cameras by a sales agent and by an owner who said thats how they knew who busted the gate at 1:00 am in the morning coming in drunk.

I was just told by a staff person at the VCDD that our gate passes have "ID numbers" on the back that are exclusively yours. They can track you using your gate pass ID number. Cameras must just be a backup measure.

I'm not liking the fact that I can be tracked. However, I have nothing to hide and never will - but the idea just does not sit well with me.

[mulligan]

If that's the case, never look at a retail site online, never use a credit card, a grocery or drugstore card, and never put a toll transponder in your car. You may also want to avoid using a cell phone with GPS.

[Virtual Geezer]

The company that I use to work for used the same security system for access to their buildings and even doors within the building. I got to play around with the system a bit and yes it can do a lot. For example our system would sound an alert when someone tried to enter a door that they were not authorized. Also a quick hit of a function key and up pops a picture of that individual from their employee badge. Lists could be created to show when any person entered the building if HR or a manager requested.

All the programming was done on a central computer in the security department and changes took effect instantly and it changed the access at any location around the country. The access cards are RFI cards and can be wiped out with a magnet. All identification was done within the cards via the programming.

A nice system and I was very surprised to see it when I first visited TV.

One other thing about the system is that it has the ability to set the distance from the card sensors needed to read the card. The larger the receiver (the gray square you hold your card up to ) the farther away the card can be held to be read and again that can be controlled by the program.

VG


I was just told by a staff person at the VCDD that our gate passes have "ID numbers" on the back that are exclusively yours. They can track you using your gate pass ID number. Cameras must just be a backup measure.

I'm not liking the fact that I can be tracked. However, I have nothing to hide and never will - but the idea just does not sit well with me.

[tzangrilli]

The main reason for gates is not for security. They are there as a traffic control device to make everyone slow down so merging and crossing busy intersections can be a little safer.