Originally Posted by rrtjp (Post 2145965)

You know this because you have lived in every retirement community in human history, lol.
It is an archaic system. Maybe the brain surgeons subcontracted the gate system out to Curly, Larry and Mo?
Honestly I really don’t care what gate system is used here. I have nothing really to complain about living here in the most successful retirement community in history. Only one that does is probably the guy making money on cloning cards.

Originally Posted by twoplanekid (Post 2145829)

I asked this question of staff->

I heard a rumor from Bruce that the gate card system in the Villages is going to change. Be forewarned that I have been giving out and using the devices that are placed in car mirrors to activate the gates for over a year.

So, please tell me the reason for the change and why my cards will no longer work. Is there a way that these cards can still work?

I believe that the using the old cards and having to wave them out an open car window is archaic in this electronic age. So, if changes are made when will we receive a device that will automatically raise gates without human interaction?

A very large number of Villagers may be upset when they find out these (auto open) cards no longer work and then need to go back to the old, old way.
I am sorry that this change was not highlighted in a newsletter to let people know that this change was going to take place.

I hope you have some good news for me about this issue as it looks very bad at this point in time.​

and ->
One additional questions about data if collected. What data is collected , who has access to the data and data collected is used for what purpose.
I thought long ago that I was told no data was collected nor retained by the gate card system and not talking about the security cameras at the gates.

Thanks again,


they responded by saying ->


Thank you for reaching out regarding the gate access control system upgrade. This project was approved in September, with support from the Amenity Authority Committee, Project Wide Advisory Committee and the Village Center and Sumter Landing CDDs.

The District has been seeking a new software vendor for a number of years to replace the existing system. As growth continued year after year in concert with the volume of card reads at the gates, the incoming data began to overburden and, at times, exceed the capacity of the existing software database. As a result, there are instances of unauthorized cards successfully opening gates; when the new system is in place, only properly credentialed cards will open the gates.

The District identified Software House C-Cure as a viable alternative to replace the existing software. This software provides a robust and expandable access control system. The capacity of the database is capable of storing one (1) million gate cards and it is administered through one centralized database. An additional benefit to Software House C-Cure is that the software is compatible with nearly all existing peripheral equipment at the gate locations – motors, readers, arms, loops, network electronics etc. In addition, all gate cards issued by the District will continue to work. By implementing this solution, only the controller itself would be replaced.

The access control system at the gates continues to serve a vital role in the community with regard to traffic management, calming and monitoring. The benefits of proper management of the access control system will further enhance the overall management of gate card data, prevent card duplication and provide more robust reporting capabilities. This is a significant benefit to residents, Staff and local law enforcement agencies. Gate card transactions are utilized to understand the volume on certain roadways, identification of individuals in the event property is damaged, and law enforcement routinely asks for reporting at specific locations.

There are certain areas in the community, such as the RV lots, that have limited access and require specific credentials assigned to the gate card. Regardless of the type of access, the District does not condone the unauthorized duplication of cards. When cards are assigned, they are tied to a specific residence or contractor based on the credentials. As with any access control system, it is not expected that these would be duplicated since it would also unnecessarily burden the volume of cards in the system.

The AAC and PWAC both expressed interest in exploring options to improve the method in which the gates are activated, including the type of devices and/or methods for opening a gate arm. The first step in the project is to upgrade the back-end software. Once that is accomplished, Staff will be communicating the Committees/Boards on other opportunities to enhance the functionality of the gates.

I then replied ->

I totally disagree with this assessment and wish that a public discussion had taken place. I understand that access control systems at the gates serve to slow traffic and let golf carts cross. However many of your other comments I would question.

The few that need restricted access to RV lots could have been given special cards. What other areas and how many other Villagers are affected compared to the total Village population?

You never answered my question as to how much detailed data the system is keeping on people accessing public roads. We are not a gate restricted community.

If the volume of individual cards that a new system can handle is 1 million, then what’s the big deal about duplicates? Plus, the cards are cloned to one that is already in the system. I don’t under this concern about duplicates. What are the specific benefits to the public in this new change other than making many thousands of duplicate cards not function?
CLONED CARDS WILL NOT WORK???

I again ask what data is collected and who has access to this data. Is this data used by public or private firms? Can I access the data? A private or public firm is the only one assigning gate cards at this time? Please note that I am not discussing the gate cameras. I believe cameras which are now located at the gates help identify individuals for law enforcement and not gate cards as you suggest.

What is the total cost of the new system for both hardware and software going to be for residents? This change to the gate management system should have been presented and discussed at a large public meeting with details in the paper and on the district website beforehand.

I am on the NSCUDD board and have always advocated for preannounced large public discussions of changes we make that affect the public. NSCUDD has held many advertised large public meetings to discuss changes and I am proud we have done so because that is the way it should be done.

a link to details on the contracts found on districtgov.org

Coversheet

Originally Posted by Bilyclub (Post 2145955)

You must not get around TV much. I would say that many of the manned gates have either a MMP crossing at them or are on cart lane streets. Pretty sure it would be easier to name the manned gates that don't fit the description than the ones that do.

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2145989)

FYI.....the cards work right through the closed window. No need to have it installed on your mirror. Try it!!

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2145989)

FYI.....the cards work right through the closed window. No need to have it installed on your mirror. Try it!!

Originally Posted by LAFwUs (Post 2145876)

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the "angst" over clone cards is all about the money. Isn't it always?
I couldn't guess as to how many clone cards are in circulation/use over the years, but each one would be taking away $$ or rubs against whom ever has the contract as the service provider.
None of this is about making life better for residence, because if it was, the realization that the entire antiquated system needs an overhaul/update to, oh maybe updated to circa year 2000'sh tech perhaps. (sarcasm)

There are countless fairly simple programs out there in use right now that utilize decal type scannable's, 1/3rd the size of a credit card and can be read from 100+ft away w/ vehicles in full motion and can handle millions of scannable's, take pictures/vid, record digi info, automatically open/close gates, etc. all without a single interaction of the driver.

Besides the entire system is rather ineffective as actual "access control" when anyone can hit the red button. Knowledge of, that is fairly widely known outside the villages....NO card needed.

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI (Post 2145844)

I don't understand the angst over duplicate cards. What difference does it make? The red button allows anyone to access any village with no need for a card! I think a bureaucrat somewhere is bored or trying to justify their existence. Sometimes I believe I'm actually living in the movie "Idiocracy".

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2145989)

FYI.....the cards work right through the closed window. No need to have it installed on your mirror. Try it!!

Originally Posted by SusanStCatherine (Post 2146010)

I've tried holding my gate card up to and against the closed car window about five separate times and it hasn't worked once.

Originally Posted by Tvflguy (Post 2146001)

Personally I am perfectly AOK with the current system. When we were considering TV 10+ years ago we pressed the red button to get in. Now for 8 years as residents the card works. Sometime not thru our car window. Big deal.

Some folks love to B&M about anything or paste 1,000 words postings. I have better things to do and skip verbose stuff here.

Bottom line IMO it works just fine. Can it be upgraded? Maybe. At what cost and benefit.

So my bottom line leave it as is.

Originally Posted by patfla06 (Post 2145880)

In Tampa many gated communities had a sticker on the side window with a bar code to enter your neighborhood.
The good part was you didn’t have to open your window.
Why couldn’t we have this instead of the card?

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2146023)

We very rarely roll the window down to open gates. We can "flash" the card through the window just fine and the gates go up. I think The Villages has every right to not honor the alternative. We came without anyone twisting our arm and accept the "rules". I think the one the OP has made is his "side business: and is without permission....so he's upset when they tell him it's not allowed. What happens if someone makes a side business out of our resident I.D.??

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os (Post 2146029)

There is that little red button that easily opens the gates. The fact that there is concern about the cards seems a bit silly to me. I have a chip in my mirror and won’t be thrilled if it stops working. Seems to me that a sticker with an individual bar code on the side window would be a good way to open the gate without need to open the window. Just my humble opinion. As far as storing our information, I have nothing to hide. What’s the big deal?

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2145836)

The response seemed logical and reasonable to me.

As far as duplicates - What prevents a resident from giving a duplicate to friends in other communities? I can understand the districts stand on duplicates.

Originally Posted by I'm Popeye! (Post 2145835)

I'm sure those that have these "gate card" illegally (landscapers, etc..) will also be upset. :coolsmiley:

Originally Posted by Steve (Post 2146028)

I think the question is "What's the point of it all?" If it's just traffic control make the entrance gates like the exit gates--automatic.

Originally Posted by BOB396 (Post 2146035)

If it is for traffic control, wouldn't speed bumps work just as well as gates?

Originally Posted by BOB396 (Post 2146035)

If it is for traffic control, wouldn't speed bumps work just as well as gates?

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2145850)

If traffic control was the only objective, the entry gates could be configured to operate the same as exit gates. As they sometimes do during construction.

Originally Posted by Ecuadog (Post 2145879)

Bingo.

Originally Posted by blueash (Post 2145908)

Not bingo unless you like bango. When exiting you can see any carts or pedestrians crossing the road with no obstructions. BUT, big BUT, when entering, the view of the crossing is blocked by the gate mechanism, plantings, and often a gate booth. So when you come in through the gates you cannot safely proceed coasting thru, and the crossing carts and walkers can not see you coming. So entry must be slowed/stopped much more intently than exiting.

Originally Posted by Captainpd (Post 2145919)

I could never understand the use of the gates. ABSOLUTELY ANY CAN COME INTO THE VILLAGES. If the sole purpose is to slow traffic, use the same system for leaving the Villages.

Originally Posted by I'm Popeye! (Post 2146071)

Wrong! . . . . READ POST #19, . . . . Not ALL GATES entering the Village property have that little red button. :read:

Originally Posted by sowtime444 (Post 2146081)

The Villages could use HID U90 readers at all gates, and give everyone a UHF card. UHF cards have a read range of 5 meters and are powered by the reader so the cards don't need batteries (like the old school windshield cards did). The U90 reader came out in 2014 so some gates might already have it, but they are probably handing out 125kHz technology cards to everyone because not all gates have the U90. As long as they keep using 125kHz PROX technology, your card cloning business is safe.

Someday they could spend the money to put your credential digitally on your phone and have that work over Bluetooth at a long distance away (they could tune this to optimize activation distance).