[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by ureout

.... why not just use the same sensor system as when exiting .. pull up to the gate and have sensor just lift the gate automatically..

Originally Posted by jarodrig

My guess is that it would make too much sense and would put a bunch of folks out of a job ! 😆

It’s computer controlled so they can easily set the timing so that cars can’t just blow through it….

There could be a few reasons for this:
1. Gates not closing between cars. The exit gates don't always close between cars. If I trigger the sensor to open the gate before the car ahead has triggered the sensor to close the gate then it stays open for me. This would defeat the safety purpose of the entrance gates.

It might be possible to configure the gates to close completely before opening again but I suspect this would result in a lot of gates closing on top of cars. I have also experienced some gates in construction mode where two cars were close and the sensors triggered out of order resulting in the second car needing to back up and trigger the sensor again. This would certainly cause problems.

2. Sunk costs. A lot of money has been spent on the readers, computer systems, and interconnections that are used for the gates. Abandoning all that equipment and then possibly spending more to put in new sensors seems like a heck of a waste.

3. Removing an amenity. The gate attendants are an amenity we have come to expect, just like the billiard rooms If the attendants were taken away it could be seen as some as removing an amenity. Many would rightfully complain about losing the billiard rooms; others might rightfully complain about losing the gate attendants.

4. There is a lot of money spent on manpower to support the gates. No one wants to lose part of their fiefdom, particularly when it comes with a budget.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

So after reading 3 pages of responses, it's obvious that no one watched the posted videos.

Not a single person has commented on the subject of the original post ... which was replacing CW with something more modern that a bunch of senior citizens with "2-way radios".

I see no need to replace Community Watch employees with anything at all. They don't ONLY have 2-way radios. They also have smartphones. That's pretty modern, compared to 2-way radios. If you were to get younger people, they'd demand more money, more hours, health benefits, and a better retirement/pension fund. And paid time off.

Most people take jobs like these because they're technically retired from doing something else, and want to LIVE a retired-person's lifestyle. However, if they're living on social security and only a modest pension, or having to spend their money on a loved one with expensive medical needs, they need to supplement with a part-time job. The more you work, the less you get in that social security check. They have to balance it out to maximize that guaranteed monthly income with their supplemental income from their part-time job.

That's why part-time low-paying jobs are so attractive to Seniors. And, why they are so UNattractive to everyone else.

[BekaJayne]

Very cool. My first (thought) fear was a sniper taking it out before a bad-guy crew moves in. But I think initially it will do lot of good.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by BekaJayne

Very cool. My first (thought) fear was a sniper taking it out before a bad-guy crew moves in. But I think initially it will do lot of good.

[BekaJayne]

I have to say I was happy one of them knocked on our door a couple weeks ago asking about a neighbor (3 papers in drive) and I explained it was a rental. I have started picking up the papers at 2 neighbors so their isn't a target. ... Not to mention the times we failed to close our garage door at night & they call.

[dadspet]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I can't wait!

I think Community Watch is one of the largest money pits in the District's Budget.

https://youtu.be/H9tUiWgzNWo

403 Forbidden

Unfortunately, change comes slowly to TV.

I completely disagree with this.They provide a service to visitors and the illusion is significant, they are not intended to be law enforcement, anyone coming through the gate who shouldn't will think twice if they see someone looking at them and asking if they can help. The gate agent reporting something suspicious is good and I as a resident think the service is a + and even more so for part time residents. Besides that I didn't have to get my left hand wet waving that entry card back and forth and trying to get closer to the poor sensors when it rains (yes it did rain last week, check the Sun press)Open

Community watch is also a good service that has helped us more than once.

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by dadspet

I completely disagree with this.They provide a service to visitors and the illusion is significant, they are not intended to be law enforcement, anyone coming through the gate who shouldn't will think twice if they see someone looking at them and asking if they can help. The gate agent reporting something suspicious is good and I as a resident think the service is a + and even more so for part time residents. Besides that I didn't have to get my left hand wet waving that entry card back and forth and trying to get closer to the poor sensors when it rains (yes it did rain last week, check the Sun press)Open

Community watch is also a good service that has helped us more than once.

Agree with all of this, Plus CW has been a great help when we had a breakdown on Morse Blvd. We were very concerned that we would get rear ended until they came along & stayed with us until the tow truck came. Their safety lights were indispensable

Also, we like our gate attendants. Report one if they are asleep on the job. But 0verall we find them personable & part of the experience we have come to expect.

As OBB pointed out, some here need the income & we don’t mind helping with that

[retiredguy123]

Maybe Community Watch needs to improve their image. They should advertise what they do and how it benefits the community. They should not tell people that "we don't do that" if the request helps the customer, is reasonable, safe, and legal. Apparently, they have discontinued their annual report, which was very detailed and explained what they did. How about bringing back the annual report? Why did it go away?

When I worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, I once had a military commander who gave every employee a "just do it" card. It empowered all employees to make a decision on the spot without permission, as long as the decision made sense, supported the mission, and it was legal. Employees were not allowed to tell customers that "we don't do that" or "that is not my job".

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

CW does more than open a gate. Driving past every home 3x/day on a random schedule is a deterrent to criminals. Helping to check IDs at pools helps keep outsiders from using the facilities that we pay for. Some of my neighbors have received the phone call that they left their garage door open late at night--- a sure invitation to those with ill intent. Even the gate attendants might spot a suspicious person or vehicle better than a camera. Yes, a lot of their presence is designed to give the illusion of a gated community, but what they actually do is worthwhile

If we MUST have Community Watch, I would suggest that they have some of the watch riding in golf carts, motorcycles, and E-bikes because on those types of vehicles the riders are more in-tune to their environment than in cars and trucks. They can only report crimes anyway, so they don't need to have 100% of them in cars and trucks. They would be more likely to stop and talk with any neighbors that are outside in their yards.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

If we MUST have Community Watch, I would suggest that they have some of the watch riding in golf carts, motorcycles, and E-bikes because on those types of vehicles the riders are more in-tune to their environment than in cars and trucks. They can only report crimes anyway, so they don't need to have 100% of them in cars and trucks. They would be more likely to stop and talk with any neighbors that are outside in their yards.

May we assume that advocates for electric cars, electric trucks, electric carts and electric motorcycles as well a e-bikes????

[Howdy]

This is a post from experience:

# 1 I lived for years in a Gated Community in Summerfield well known. They had the equivalent of the Community Watch here in The Villages.
# 2 They were 90% useless unlike the Community Watch here.
# 3 What they did 100% of the time is report homeowner " Infractions " such as no exaggerations, Mailbox needs painting/replacement, Lawn weeds, Light bulb out ( Not Bulbs ) light bulb, Windows need washing, Grass needs trimming around lamp post, Dirty driveway ie: Tire marks, etc.
# 4 The Gates in the Villages are mainly for traffic control, they were never meant as a security feature. Every road in The Villages are " Public " with just one exception " Courtyard Villas " they are private & maintained by The Villages.
# 5 Finally I consider Community Watch in The Villages does serve a purpose & the cost is minor.
# 6 The End.

PS: The Villages is the best choice.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Howdy

This is a post from experience:


# 3 What they did 100% of the time is report homeowner " Infractions " such as no exaggerations, Mailbox needs painting/replacement, Lawn weeds, Light bulb out ( Not Bulbs ) light bulb, Windows need washing, Grass needs trimming around lamp post, Dirty driveway ie: Tire marks, etc.

& there's something wrong with that, why?

Originally Posted by Howdy

Community Watch in The Villages does serve a purpose & the cost is minor.

& what is the total cost of Community Watch?
& what's the "purpose", other than providing jobs to otherwise unemployable seniors?

[Normal]

Money Pit?

We live in a community of 55+. With this comes the a certain strain of forgetting to do things like close garage doors, ignorance of broken sprinkler heads while we sleep and the more frequent needs for emergency response services. If you get rid of Community Watch, the backstopping deteriorates, and I doubt you will see any sustained deduction on your amenity fees anyway.

I’m young for a Villager, but myself and everyone else will end up there one day with or without a Community Watch.

[Ignatz]

A lot of us bought here because we don’t mind paying a little more for the amenities, the cleanliness, the services, and the overall “package”.

Gates and CW are part of that package that we took into consideration and appreciate.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I can't wait!

I think Community Watch is one of the largest money pits in the District's Budget.

https://youtu.be/H9tUiWgzNWo

403 Forbidden

Unfortunately, change comes slowly to TV.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Mine disagrees with yours. Community Watch is welcomed by all my neighbors and friends. I mean all, I can’t think of one person I know that feels CW is a waste. Some think that they could be more diligent in checking pool passes, but no reason to think money pit.