Gilchrist Gate now in security & traffic modes
 

e-Notification
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 1/8/2014

Gilchrist Gate News:


Vehicles entering the Gilchrist Gate must now stop before passing through the gate. The change takes the gate out of a mode used during construction of new neighborhoods and places the gate in its permanent security and traffic control modes. Residents will now need to utilize their gate pass to open the gate. Non residents will be required to press the button on the card reader pedestal calling the Community Watch Operations Center to gain access. This update insures improved safety and security for vehicles passing through the gate, pedestrians and golf carts crossing behind the gate and residents living in the area.

Please be patient as we transition into this new mode of gate operation.

Good decision after so much burgling...
remember all, that your card also lifts the visitor gate so don't sit in line in resident lane.

With the recent increase in crime being reported in TV, hopefully, they will soon start putting the gates down at the Pinellas Plaza Residence Entrance. I understand them being up during the day time due to construction, but they are up almost every evening as well.

Without a camera it would make little difference.

Wow, I didn't know that, I thought all incoming gates had them. Bogie, do you know if they plan to add cameras to the Pinellas Residence gate at some point in time?

Now we need to close the gate by Pinellas Plaza instead of leaving the gate up all night!

There are already cameras at the Pinellas gate, pinellas commercial gate, and Gilchrist gate and sanibel and etc. etc. etc.

I would like to see the gates removed. We should all realize by now that gates are obviously not a deterrent to burglars. The false concept of The Villages as "a gated community" only lulls the residents into thinking that they live in some type of private secure enclave. These are public roads in Sumter and Lake county and are open to anyone who can push a button on a post. Having to stick a hand out in the rain-either for holding out a resident gate card or to push a button, or sit behind someone who does not know how to get through the gate or doesn't have their gate pass handy--is absolutely ridiculous, and I for one would like to see the gates go away. JMHO

Just Curious
 

When you push the button to speak to C/W, what do they say?
Can you make up any excuse to come in, ie: Deputy Sheriff,
UPS, FEDEX,Comcast, etc. How do they know who they are
really talking to?

Actually, all you have to do is drive up close to the gate,
and just sit there, it will open automatically, after a short time.

Most people (especially outsiders) don't know this.

The main purpose of the gates at this point is to control traffic. Because you have to stop and open the gate, it gives golf carts a chance to cross over the street. It also keeps people from speeding. Many would just zoom through the entrances with little regard to the fact that they are entering a neighborhood, or little regard to the golf cart traffic trying to cross in front of the gates.

TV has not been advertised as a gated community.

If I understand correctly if you are not a resident and you use the visitor side your license plate is recorded.

Exactly! The gates are for safety purposes and in essence are only a minor hindrance.

Now we do.

what makes you think there's been an increase? the fact that NOW you are hearing about some. The police blotters have shown crimes and arrests in the villages that the sun certainly didn't publish.

You have no statistics to support that gates are beneficial traffic control devices-Contrarywise:The use of traffic control devices are standardized throughout the US (please see: Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices http://mutcd.fhwa.***.gov/pdfs/2009/part2b.pdf)and are adopted within Florida Statutes, Section 316.0745, which states where and when traffic control devices should be used. It does not recommend street gates or stop signs placed in the middle of roadways -to the contrary. The gates in The Villages are a presentation of a fanciful idea that we Villagers are a special protected group of people.