PASSWORD ACCESS CONTROL IN A GATED COMMUNITY

By Deana Loughran/First Service Residential, Executive Director, Lake Barrington Shores When you d

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When you drive by a gated community, do

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is the secret to getting in there?” he co

c m it o is the secret to

is e cr to Does the co m es

only given to residents and their gueir g es

g en

their guests? Does it appear to you a

to you as heaven on earth r a i

or a military installation?

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Does the concept conjure up images of o secret

images of a magic password or

or secret handshake that is only give t

, do you wonder, “What

review a few of the different expectations a manager of a gated community may encounter and how one might address these concerns.

LIVING WITHIN A GATED COMMUNITY MAY OFFER AN ADDED SENSE OF SECURITY FOR A PROFESSIONAL THAT TRAVELS FREQUENTLY OR FOR A PERSON LIVING ALONE, BUT EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL HAVE THEIR OWN CONCEPT OF HOW THOSE GATES WILL AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

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will have their own concept of how those gates will fe

affect their daily lives. It is theli community manager’’s ob to manage those many expectations under one set of entry guidelines. This article will brieflyl

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m na e y his art e 40 | COMMON INTEREST®

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or for a person living alone, but each individualli ng on b will have their own concept of h da

security for a professional that travels frequently or for a person livin alone, b ll

g ed m un m o r security for a professional tha r

rs ei

wn on pt h

the ‘gate’ means to them. Living within a gated community may offer an added sense of se rit or a

e at m ns o m gated community may offer ro s a ha

of living in a gated community, and what the ‘gate’ means to the

of living in a gated com o ivi

Each person has their own expectations in ga d m

E Each per o h pe son has the as

AF e

Many people may choose to purchase in a gated community so there is never the unwelcome surprise of a guest at the door unannounced. Others may purchase in a gated community for the peace of mind such security may offer. The community guidelines dictate that a guest, contractor or delivery person will not be allowed access without approval from a homeowner. Every resident must be contacted by a guard working at the visitor’s entrance if the resident has not provided prior authorization for the guest’s arrival.

One female resident who lived alone wanted the security of the gated community. On her

birthday, this woman’s son, who lives in another state, sends a surprise flower arrangement. When the delivery truck pulls up to the gate, the guard calls both of the phone numbers on file repeatedly, but no answer. The lady is out to lunch on this special day and didn’t hear her cell phone. The delivery man is turned away and the flowers are not delivered. When the homeowner finds out about this, she is

ab t al

about this, she is irate. Why wouldn’t the guard allow the delivery he o Th do st an is

s,

allow the delivery of this thoughtful gift from her son? The flowe doorstep and this w su

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her son? The flowers could have been left at her doorstep and this would have been a very pleasant surprise.

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