So I'm Driving in San Antonio 2 (dangerous, stores, station)

[flashfearless]

You're nicer than I would have been. I would have tried to catch his vehicle in the swinging arms. Or called the police for suspicious vehicle.

[TexasRedneck]

I visit gated communities often - and with all due respect, Soviet, folks like you are why I laugh at the premise. They're gated for a reason - no access code/card, no resident expecting you - keep the #()! out. I do NOT allow someone to "piggyback" me out of respect for those wishing to live behind the gates - if I *did* live behind them, you can bet I'd have words with anyone allowing folks to do so - it defeats the very purpose of the gates, and is a slap in the face to fellow residents.

When they do try to piggyback me, I simply stop my truck so as to block access until the gate starts to close. I've had ONE guy get mad at me for doing so (at least, enough to follow me on in). When I pointed out to him that I had NO way of knowing if he "belonged" there or not, and was simply trying to be a considerate guest, he ended up thanking me, and even put up a nice note about me on their community website.

[prim8]

Originally Posted by Soviet

So I live in that bane of 21st-century suburbia: the gated community. Oftentimes people piggyback in on me when I go in & that's generally a-okay by me: the security camera captures their license plate anyway in case they're up to no good. Well, tonight, I start turning in and there's this guy waiting by the gate control prompt. As I'm turning in, he starts moving, so I hang tight to see if this guy's gonna crash into me or what. He keeps going all the way to the front and sits there.

Well, my golly-gee. Isn't that entitled? Sheeeeesh! Like I said, I will gladly let people in, but for this guy to just block my way in before I've even opened the gate? Entitled with a capital "E".

I turn around & head to the nearest Redbox. In my rearview mirror, I see the guy backing back up to the gate prompt. Good riddance.

I think I made the right decision. What do y'all think? Maybe I overreacted but it was SO annoying. I can't stand entitled people. I just can't. Maybe this makes me a hypocrite in some ways, who knows? But man, it was annoying.

I agree with you. I have a gated community too, and when people do that, I just drive around to the other entrance to the community and go in that way.

[Azure110]

Unless the gated community is manned by a security guard at the gate at all times, it is just a false sense of security to have the gates itself. Probably helps the developer to charge more for the homes in the neighborhood. It is no different than a car dealership selling you that special clear coat lifetime sealant for only $500 when buying a new car.

[prim8]

It is a small deterrent, but it's still a deterrent. Is it going to stop someone determined to do something? No, but neither will bars on the window, bulletproof glass, armed security and guard dogs.

[flashfearless]

Originally Posted by Azure110

Unless the gated community is manned by a security guard at the gate at all times, it is just a false sense of security to have the gates itself. Probably helps the developer to charge more for the homes in the neighborhood. It is no different than a car dealership selling you that special clear coat lifetime sealant for only $500 when buying a new car.

The only day a car has ever been broken into in my neighborhood was a night when the gate was broken. Just sayin'.

[prim8]

Do I think that the gates on my community keep me safe? Absolutely not, but they are one of many deterrents I have in place hoping that my house is a less desirable target than one in a community that is easier to get in and out of.
If I do get broken into I take solace that at least the cameras at the gates might offer some clues as to the culprits.

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by prim8

It is a small deterrent, but it's still a deterrent. Is it going to stop someone determined to do something? No, but neither will bars on the window, bulletproof glass, armed security and guard dogs.

Although it will not deter 100%.

In the 28 years of reporting break-ins & interviews with offenders
for a local news station which I worked for.
For the most part, their target is mostly that which is easiest to break-in
with the least amount of trouble.

Vicious dog warning signs posted on my property is such that the city
meter man will now knock on the door to ask if it’s safe to go on my property.

And S.A.P.D. suggested a shot-gun.
The odds are better that I will hit the target, they told me.
“Just make sure it’s in your property...or call us & we’ll drag them in
to your property”.
And he wasn’t kidding when he told me this.

[prim8]

I never said it would. It is a small deterrent, much like a lock on a door, or a camera, or an alarm. No one of these things will stop everyone, but all added together might make someone move on to a different target.

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by prim8

I never said it would. It is a small deterrent, much like a lock on a door, or a camera, or an alarm. No one of these things will stop everyone, but all added together might make someone move on to a different target.

I completely agree with you, but reading the first sentence I made, does sound like I was implying something else.
Sorry, that was not my intent.
Unable to re edit or correct & now it’s out there in internet space forum forever.
(unless the mod can delete it)
Have a nice day.