Gated Communities

Since the early 1970’s, when gated communities represented the wealthiest of Americans, popularity has grown dramatically within the middle and lower classes. An analysis of the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey from the early 2000’s, says that homeowners in gated communities live in upscale and mostly white developments. But renters, who are more ethnically diverse, are nearly 2 1/2 times as likely as homeowners to live behind gates or walls. So why the increase of gated communities over the last 30 years? Is it because Americans of any class want to feel safer? In an age when we live post-9/11, every American wants to feel secure, especially in their homes. Living in a gated community tends to give people an added sense of security for themselves and their loved ones.

Are Gated Communities Really Safer?

Gate codes, coded cards, 6-8 foot brick walls, neighborhood watch, hired security guards and rod iron electronic gates at multiple locations tend to make residents feel safer, but are they? In higher density living locations such as apartment complexes, you have to remember that it’s not just the tenants and staff who have access in and out at any given time. Family, friends, lawn care companies (and their staff), delivery drivers, the UPS man, the mailman, and old tenants are just a few of the people who gain codes and cards over time. Each one of these people can then turn around if desired, and give the codes out to other people, such as possible intruders, which reduces the effectiveness of the gated community. Now, if your gated community has a security guard posted 24/7 at the gate, this could be very effective. Spanish Trails in Las Vegas, for example, has such a setting. Visitors of all kind either have to be issued a pass, notify security of the visitor that's expected, or the security guard at the gate will call the resident that the visitor is there for, to confirm the arrival.

The Meaning of ‘Gated’

In a study conducted in 1995, criminals targeted gated communities, stealing from over 90 homes before getting caught. Many potential gated communities have walls but no gates, making them just as vulnerable to crime as any other housing community. The word ‘gated’ itself means different things to different people. Some think of the word ‘gated’ as exclusive, some think of it as security, and others think of it as private. The truth is though, many criminals, regardless if it’s a home or an apartment setting, think of the word ‘gated’ as potential.

Do Gates Reduce Crime?

In actuality, yes they do. They definitely reduce the foot and vehicle traffic in and out of home settings, especially late at night and early in the morning. Neighborhood watches are usually in effect, since living in a gated community gives residents a chance to get to know their neighbors and get a feel for who should be there, and who shouldn’t. Management of gated communities offer the gates as an amenity to attract new residents, plus many management teams take extra measures and install cameras, patrolling security guards and powerful lights to ensure residents feel safe at all times. On the other hand, crime is everywhere and unfortunately will never go away. Criminals will continue to commit crimes where they can. But the good thing about gated communities is they force the criminals to take extra steps before and after they commit their crimes, which can ultimately deter the criminals to commit their acts elsewhere.