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The sunrise over the second fairway tells of the beginning of a new day.We also need a new beginning in our thinking about the security of our community.
For the last four months, Fairways Watch has been working on different security options,that could be custom tailored to the needs of the Fairways. First and foremost was the cost concern of all systems considered.
First option up was to put ''Barney Fife'', back on duty in the existing guard house. This sounds simple enough, right ?
WRONG---Due to current regulations,a new enclosure would be required, complete with plumbing and air conditioning. The guesstamated cost of the structure, with sewer line is $30-50K. Then we have to pay ''Barney'' His cost for night time only would be around $5500 per month--24 hrs would be a whopping $11500 per month. The annual cost would be a staggering $140,000 per year !
So--as the old engineer said ''BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARDS'' We had heard of other communities going away from the private guards, and changing to live,interactive, REMOTE MONITORING. Some of the communities named came as a surprise. Heathrow, and Windemere, were among the more recognizable names.
Over the past four months, Fairways Watch has met as a small committee including both residents and law enforcement officers. During the four months, we have interviewed eight different security systems vendors, who all came and visited the Fairways.Included in this same time frame, we also did detailed action studies and vehicle counts at our gates.
The results of our work is somewhat surprising. We can have a good dependable system, with 24/7 live agent remote monitoring, complete with ''no tailgating'' gates.---A bar code reading entrance for residents [no more clickers] --Also included is a data base for regular visitors-- BUT-- most important of all is the live agent greeting by camera, with the recording and identifying system for those coming in through the visitors lane.
This system would reuse the present guard house and the new brick phone enclosure, would become the greeting camera kiosk.
On a special note, Fairways Watch took Priscilla to see a similar system in operation in the nearby Avalon area. Priscilla seemed receptive to this different type of operation.
NOW--- for the biggest surprise of all--- the system described above would only cost about ONE THIRD of the amount ''Barney'' would cost, with his amenities!---Perhaps its time for Barney to retire.
This post is only a very preliminary look at our findings. There is much more information to come. We are sending a complete detailed nine page report to Hometown America in Chicago for Mr Brauns consideration.
If things continue to move in the expected right direction, we will hold special Fairways Watch meetings for ALL homeowners to answer the many questions that are expected to arise. Watch for notices of meeting. Fifty-one percent (51%) of homeowners approval is what's required after we get Chicago's buy-in to the Proposal.
For the last four months, Fairways Watch has been working on different security options,that could be custom tailored to the needs of the Fairways. First and foremost was the cost concern of all systems considered.
First option up was to put ''Barney Fife'', back on duty in the existing guard house. This sounds simple enough, right ?
WRONG---Due to current regulations,a new enclosure would be required, complete with plumbing and air conditioning. The guesstamated cost of the structure, with sewer line is $30-50K. Then we have to pay ''Barney'' His cost for night time only would be around $5500 per month--24 hrs would be a whopping $11500 per month. The annual cost would be a staggering $140,000 per year !
So--as the old engineer said ''BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARDS'' We had heard of other communities going away from the private guards, and changing to live,interactive, REMOTE MONITORING. Some of the communities named came as a surprise. Heathrow, and Windemere, were among the more recognizable names.
Over the past four months, Fairways Watch has met as a small committee including both residents and law enforcement officers. During the four months, we have interviewed eight different security systems vendors, who all came and visited the Fairways.Included in this same time frame, we also did detailed action studies and vehicle counts at our gates.
The results of our work is somewhat surprising. We can have a good dependable system, with 24/7 live agent remote monitoring, complete with ''no tailgating'' gates.---A bar code reading entrance for residents [no more clickers] --Also included is a data base for regular visitors-- BUT-- most important of all is the live agent greeting by camera, with the recording and identifying system for those coming in through the visitors lane.
This system would reuse the present guard house and the new brick phone enclosure, would become the greeting camera kiosk.
On a special note, Fairways Watch took Priscilla to see a similar system in operation in the nearby Avalon area. Priscilla seemed receptive to this different type of operation.
NOW--- for the biggest surprise of all--- the system described above would only cost about ONE THIRD of the amount ''Barney'' would cost, with his amenities!---Perhaps its time for Barney to retire.
This post is only a very preliminary look at our findings. There is much more information to come. We are sending a complete detailed nine page report to Hometown America in Chicago for Mr Brauns consideration.
If things continue to move in the expected right direction, we will hold special Fairways Watch meetings for ALL homeowners to answer the many questions that are expected to arise. Watch for notices of meeting. Fifty-one percent (51%) of homeowners approval is what's required after we get Chicago's buy-in to the Proposal.
Conceptual Drawing of Proposal
(Click Picture to Enlarge)
30 comments:
This looks like a great plan.......thanks bill for all your hard work putting this together
now all you need to do is put together a "ballot" to all the homeowners to agree to pay for this and get about 551 homes to approve an increase in "fees".
Good work, now om to the next step
Bill that looks GREAT. PLEASE keep us posted. Thank you again for all your hard work, you are appreciated more than you know.
What is the cost of this proposed security gate? What would the estimated increase to homeowners be? Great job bill...thanks for putting this together....
This is very good. These are becoming quit popular and affordable. This makes sense for our community. It is also a great sales took for Hometown to sell more homes. How can they not want this.
Way to go Bill. This is a prime example of how an "open-minded approach" to a comprehensive study can bring modern technology to Fairway's.
IN REF ANONYMOUS 6;44
Thank you for your question. Fairways Watch is communicating directly with Chicago, with knowledge of local management. After we get the response from Chicago and their intentions of the ''buyin''--we will publish the estimated cost amount to ALL residents
With the gate security being the subject of discussion for many years why is it that until now this method has never been looked into? Good job Bill.
To thoroughly confused
Thank you for your comment and question. I believe that your question could be best answered by the past and present homeowners committee!
Great job - looks good but some questions: How do Large Fire Trucks get in or any other emergency vehicles. What if a guest gets in the wrong lane, can they still tailgate in. If not, where do they go to get out at gate?
REF ANONYMOUS 11;44
Two good questions--First the orange county codes, dictate that gate systems comply to certain requirements for emergency vehicles. The vendors ,we worked with meet those codes.Its the law!
As for the resident in the wrong lane--simple-- they would only need to identify them selves as residents to the LIVE AGENT at the kiosk and then they would be granted admittance
Bill, what would happen if a quest was in the wrong lane?
REF ANON 1;05
If a GUEST got in the wrong lane with no bar code attached, the resident gates would not open However the spacing of the lineators [ flip sticks ] would permit the guest to circle 180 degrees back around to the guest lane for entry. It would be no big deal. ALTHOUGH THE GATES WOULD HAVE A BATTERY BACK UP FOR POWER FAILURE, ENTRY COULD ONLY BE GAINED BY A RESIDENT BAR CODE OR LIVE AGENT, APPROVED ENTRY.
Wrong lane? Is that your real concern? How about looking at the whole picture, WHO is coming into our community? Get real.
Great Job Bill Just one question, how does this effect the incoming traffic from 50, will there be a back log of cars sitting on 50 waiting to gain entry. Residents or Visitors
The HOME OWNERS COMMITTEE is the reason we are still in limbo on this.
If this is passed and goes into place,we will have volunteers to help make it through, any problems that we may come across.
THINK POSITIVE FOLKS!!
REF ANON 8;15
EXCELLENT QUESTION--.REMEMBER,--WE WILL SPLIT THE TRAFFIC INTO 2 SEPARATE LINES OF FLOW. THEY WILL HAVE FAST ACTING 2 SECOND MEGA LIFT ARM BARRIER GATES. WE WOULD HAVE SLIGHTLY OVER 130 FT FOR THE GUEST LANE [,APPROXIMATELY 7 CARS ]. IN THE RESIDENTS LANE WE WILL HAVE ROOM FOR ABOUT 8 CARS FOR A TOTAL CAR CAPACITY OF 15 CARS AT ANY GIVEN TIME . THE LIVE AGENT WILL HAVE ACCESS TO CAMERA COVERAGE OF THE ENTRANCE AREA.THE CUSTOM TAILORED LIVE AGENT SYSTEM WILL BE DESIGNED TO AVOID BACKUPS ON RT 50 . WE BELIEVE THAT THE KIOSK LIVE AGENT CAN BE FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT THAN ''BARNEY FIFE''---REMEMBER ''BARNEY WOULD HAVE TO WATCH BOTH LANES,--THE LIVE REMOTE AGENT ONLY ONE. THE DUAL BEAM BAR CODE READER WILL MONITOR THE RESIDENTS LANE.
Looks like you just may have hit a Home Run Bill. Comments are overwhelmingly in favor of your study. Can't wait for the buy in from Hometown and your meeting for all residents to have a say as to whether or not they want some security that will help protect our community. We're behind you on this one!
Very good!!!! Love it.! Lets all be positive and believe. Thanks Bill for all your hard work and for caring for this community.
Thanks, Bill for allof your hard work. Remember that some snowbirds go home for the holidays and would not be here for meetings. It all sounds great and would love to see some new and up to date things in the Fairways.
Thanks Bill for all your hard work and for caring for this community
Another car break in last night on Warwick Hills - Fort Apache....
I heard there was a car break in on warwck hills circle last night. This community needs security at the front gate
Good work, Bill. I can see that you & your committee put in a lot of time on this. I love it. My next door neighbor just had her car broken into, so this is definitely needed. I hope the rest of the community sees the need for this type of security & approves, as well as HTA!
Good work, Bill. I can see that you & your committee put in a lot of time on this. I love it. My next door neighbor just had her car broken into, so this is definitely needed. I hope the rest of the community sees the need for this type of security & approves, as well as HTA!
There was 2 car burglaries on Warwick hills circle last night.
One question, if they run the gate at night, will the police be called my the people manning the gate? If it is one of our residents, they should have to pay to get it fixed as well as any gate crashers.
RE NOV 2 2;25PM
The good questions keep coming and thats great !
With the ''trap gate''design --one gate is always closed. There will be license plate cameras [ones that work ]. all ACTIVITY AROUND THE GATES WILL BE RECORDED AND CAN BE RETRIEVED LOCALLY, IN THE GUARD SHACK. THE LIVE AGENT WILL FOLLOW WHAT EVER PROTOCOL, GIVEN TO THEM BY HTA.
I beleive that I had a would be thief in my carport the other night, but between my barking dog and my motion lights, he was thwarted pretty quickly. While I don't expect people to buy a dog solely for the purpose of chasing off intruders.....the motion lights may be something to consider. I'm sure glad I have both.
I beleive that I had a would be thief in my carport the other night, but between my barking dog and my motion lights, he was thwarted pretty quickly. While I don't expect people to buy a dog solely for the purpose of chasing off intruders.....the motion lights may be something to consider. I'm sure glad I have both.
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