When we voted for gates I was under the impression we were getting 24/7 manned coverage at Vineyard so anyone with a legitimate need for access could get in (golfer or on our personal lists). That meant 100% phone coverage and no sleeping or uncovered potty breaks. It looks like that isn’t happening according to the HOA. They have only one person between 10 pm and 6 am.
My story: We travel a lot. About a month ago we called Uber for a 4 am pickup. Driver arrived at Walerga gate (per google maps) but for whatever reason was unable to get our code entered. After several tries I called the Vineyard gate for assistance. NO ANSWER! The driver dropped the ride in frustration. A new driver was dispatched. He arrived and had the same difficulty. Running late now and frustrated, my wife drove over to the gate while I kept him on the phone. She let him in. On our return a couple of weeks ago we used Uber and had him go through the Vineyard gate at 2:05 am. There was no greeter anywhere in sight.
When we travel we often have little or no cell coverage Even at home we often have the phone on silent. if an emergency arose while we were gone (e. g. burglar alarm, water leak) there would be no access for family members if the Vineyard phone went unanswered.
A side benefit I thought we were getting when I voted was the second greeter could act as a rover at night for increased security when not needed as backup at the gate.
So, what do you think? Anyone have similar concerns? Should we have the Board reconsider, or should I suck it up and put up with the status quo? Comments welcome.
I strongly agree. Your experience and concerns are valid, not to mention any possible security concerns which you have not mentioned in regards to not having coverage. Short term and long term, I am getting to the place where I have been moving in the direction of handling my own security in light of the fact that the standards are extremely low and it appears to be a three ring circus act regarding what is happening at the gates…..But hey, if we keep everything a secret, maybe it will boost our real estate values!?
Oh, and we need secondary phone numbers to call if the greeters are not available. Let’s call the owner of the greeter company and get him out of bed to handle the job in the middle of the night.
Should this not be a matter for the HOA Board to address? Seems someone has dropped the ball? Should be addressed by the Board with the company providing security.
Maybe I’m wrong. You give your expected guest your code. They punch it in at the call box, your phone rings you it the # 9 the gate opens? I’ve not had the need to us the procedure.
You are right. It has worked fine for me since. Just didn’t work that night and there was no easy remedy since there was NO BACKUP!
What if you are not able to answer the phone, or you are out of town? I had Amazon delivery not able to get it. We need an attendate to answer the gate call at all times. Maybe they can forward their phones if they leave.
Bring your concern to the Board meeting next Tuesday evening. You are not alone in asking for reliable 24/7 staffing.
No greeter coverage during certain times (sleep, bathroom, break, etc) was an issue well before the gates were installed and is a separate issue from the gates themselves imho. This problem should be addressed with the security company.
Concerning the gates, bugs and minor issues were expected during the transition period. Hopefully, all the issues are resolved in time.
This appears on the surface to be Board policy, not a security company lapse. I’m not sure how it came to pass.
With new technology why in the world isn’t there a rolling code supplied where you can go online and get a one time code for a visitor to enter when they arrive in say….2 hour time periord. I am supposed to let family members in and my phone was accidentally on silent and my parents sat at the gate. You have to watch your phone like a hawk when a guest is coming in next hour or whatever. Providing a temp number we could provide to uber, ect would be ideal. Is this possible?
The gate system has been working great for me and yes you have to remember to keep the volume up on your phone…every morning I let my brother’s ride in and I have learned to keep my volume up and phone with me I have also sold items on Facebook yard sale and have not had a problem with people using the call box…usually people using the call box for the first time have issues with using it but it’s pretty easy and efficient…I like that if I’m away and my son or guest uses the call box I can let them in!
@mcowners If my memory serves me (and that’s a big IF), it was stated at one of the board meetings that our security agreement allows for non-coverage to allow for breaks. 24/7 coverage would cost substantially more. At the time, we were already paying in excess of $500,000/yr. Now that we have reduced the number of greeters (and our cost), perhaps the board should revisit this issue.
Yesterday on PFE gate 3 cars were waiting in guest’s side entrance and 3 cars were waiting on resident’s side of the entrance. My car was 7th but I could not get to the gate. I waited 10 minutes no movement. Then I have to walk down to the phone window and dialed my number to open the gate. Then all the 6 cars went in before me. Thanks to wonderful GATE system. REALLY?
This is the problem with GATES… people, vendors, visitors, they all sneak right in. This is NO MORE SECURE than the greeters. I would say it’s worse now!
It may be better, it may be worse. However, the cost of round the clock greeters was unsustainable. When the gates are paid off in two years (???) it will be a huge saving, especially when you consider minimum wage going to $15/hr. A substantial dues increase would have been unavoidable. The only alternative, no security.
I remember very clearly at the meeting that they promised 2 guards at the Vineyard entrance 24/7. The extra guard was to be used to cover any type of break as well as roving security.
This is not an issue with the security company, but with the board. They are not living up to what they said and promised. They said exactly what they needed to in order to push their agenda. If you attended the meetings then you heard them say they would install the gates irrigardless of the vote as it wasn’t required for them to go through the community to make the changes.
I believe the board also knew the golf course was having financial issues. They have NOT been disclosing everything to the community.
575 homes. Not going to make everyone happy. Many communities have these gate systems and we have a few problems, still worth the expense.
Sounds to me that some issues need to be addressed by the board. I assume that you let the board know about your experience with Uber. Not sure if that is a Board issue or the security co. issue, but obviously something needs to be changed. I’m not too happy with the gate system …when we voted to replace the greeters, I think most of us assumed that it would be a genie or code system, but were told those systems are not secure enough. But look what’s happening….cars follow other cars in, so this system is not any more secure and more cumbersome. If I have a guest (like my son) arriving late at night, I can’t stay up waiting for my phone to ring…the Vineyard greeter needs to be accessible.
I think it is a good idea to install the gate system rather than keep paying the security staff for all gates. It may take some time to work out the kinks. There are some issues need to be addressed.
The hardware needs to be more dependable. My friend came to visit on last Saturday, and the system would not dial my number. My friend said it keep showing ‘waiting’ after she punched in the 4 digit code. There were 7 cars in line.
The speed should be slower while rolling through the names. I had gotten calls that were not for me because they rolled too quick.
The security company needs to make sure there is 24 hour coverage at the Vineyard Gate.
Help me understand why Vineyard (basically the front 9 side of Morgan Creek) needs to be covered 24/7 but PFE (back 9 side) does not?
@McGroin Phil The reason for 24/7 coverage at the Vineyard gate is to render assistance to guests who need it while entering the other un-manned gates. Of course, this only works if a greeter is actually on duty 24/7 and is knowledgeable about gate operation. There should also probably be a sign at the un-manned gates that reads ‘enter 0022 for assistance’ which will dial the Vineyard gate.
I don’t recall any resident votes regarding the gates including 24/7 coverage at Vineyard. To be fair and provide an equal paid entitlement to the entire neighborhood, if there is to be 24/7 gate coverage it should alternate between Vineyard/Walerga and PFE.
It’s because of the golf course. It only makes sense since that is where they enter from.
Aren’t we talking about hours after the Course is closed for business?
@McGroin Phil The Vineyard must have coverage during golf hours and I’m fairly certain the intercom system was designed with Vineyard gate as the command station. So greeters are only able to control all 3 gates from Vineyard.
@Lorenzo Harris if there is a code to dial 0022 for assistance all I believe that is doing is calling a phone number so not sure why a “command station” would be fixed to Vineyard. An intercom system to me impies hard wiring between the PFE and Walerga gates to Vineyard and I highly doubt that exists. I’d guess they are all on Comcast PSTN phones and the 0022 code rings the number(s) programmed same as the residents.
My understanding is Vineyard was to be manned during golf hours and that was it. For off hours, if there is to be 24/7 coverage in a building, it would be fair to have the physical presence rotate between a north of dry creek entrance and a south of dry creek entrance.
@Phil McGroin The Vineyard entrance has the only cottage that is set up to monitor cameras at all entrances, that has computer capability to access Dwelling Live as well as intercom capability to interact with all call boxes. Because of the HOA’s obligation to facilitate access to the golf course through the Vineyard gate, Vineyard was set up as the control center. The project was never funded to install these duplicate capabilities at all cottages.
To add to what @Jim said. Vineyard is also the only cottage with controls for all 3 gates. Hope that helps clear up any confusion.