Gate vs. no gate: It’s a personal preference

About 10 percent of Americans choose to live behind bars, and with a quick drive around town, it looks like that might be a low estimate by the census.

And while many might think bars are meant to keep people in, Las Vegans construct them to keep people out.

But do gated communities really offer that much better security?

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say no. It’s all about vigilance and security.

“The sense of security you get from a gated community can come back to bite you if you become complacent with your other security measures and simply rely on a gate that can oftentimes still let an intruder into your neighborhood,” said Robert Adams, a Las Vegas real estate broker.

As homebuilders respond to the demand from buyers for reduced traffic, less solicitors, more exclusivity and a promise of better safety, the issue of gates, guards and free access continues.

“Gated communities offer an extra layer of security for homeowners within the community,” Adams said. “Guard-gated communities take security even one step further.”

Guarded gates not only cut down on traffic, it can help monitor who is in the neighborhood. A log of visitors and roaming patrols might not prevent crime, but they can serve as deterrents and investigative tools for crime.

“Unless there is a guard at the gate, gated communities can offer a false sense of security. In Cadence, the Heritage by Lennar active-adult neighborhood is the only gated community and it will have a guard. This requires all visitors to check in with the guard after having their name provided by a resident. This truly limits access and can increase security a bit,” Persinger said.

In communities controlled by a security code gate, there will always be factors like drivers sneaking in behind another car or residents giving out access codes to friends and delivery drivers. What’s to keep these people from entering the neighborhood without express permission? Not much.

Las Vegas police suggest ensuring your home is safe with a deadbolt lock with at least a 1-inch throw bolt and a solid wood, metal or security door. And, they remind, two locks are better than one.

If you’re concerned about safety in your home, Las Vegas police offer a great program. A crime prevention specialist is available to evaluate your home for access, lighting, locks, alarms, address display, landscaping, contents and other others to determine your level of safety and offer suggestions of how to improve it. This free service takes about an hour. Find out more by contacting your area command.

“I believe all types of gates add some sort of value to the home,” Adams said. “Obviously, a strict guard at the gate with the roaming security and cameras will add the highest value, next would be a guard that is not so strict, and finally a gate with no guard at all would add the least value.”

So if gates, especially those with guards, can help beef up security, why would a buyer choose to live beyond them?

“Many homeowners are looking for communities where they can get to know their neighbors and their children can make friends and feel safe playing outside. Cadence offers a more traditional, almost Midwestern feel — where neighbors know one another and neighborhood children grow up together,” said Cheryl Persinger, vice president of marketing.

And the best part of a blended entrance is that lack of division between neighbors as well as neighborhoods.

“Cadence chose to limit gates within the community to encourage a sense of community for residents. Without walls and gates, residents are able to more freely walk around the community and get to know their neighbors,” said Persinger.

Either way, someone’s doing something right. According to the 2013 American Housing Survey conducted by the U.S. Census, 90 percent of Las Vegans say they are satisfied by the police protection in their neighborhood. And 52 percent rated their neighborhood at 6 or better on a 1-10 scale.

“I would weigh the pros and cons, including the price differences of the nongated neighborhood as well as the price of the gated neighborhood,” Adams said. “Is there a price difference? If so, how much? Then ask yourself how much is being behind that type of gate worth to you. This is a personal decision that is worth it to some while it is not worth it for others.”

Clearly, Las Vegans don’t completely hate the gate.