Patrol Report

Thomas Catri

Happy New Year, everyone, and may the new year be filled with wellness, joyfulness, inspiration and opportunity! In addition, welcome to all those who have abandoned their old neighborhoods to start new lives behind closed walls and gates. Private, gated communities have become very popular, because those who choose to live behind gates feel safe and secure, but there’s more to know. The main function of gates along with a perimeter fence is to provide a perception of safety and security, along with privacy, which means exclusivity, which has been known to increase home property values. Do you ever ponder if a private, gated community reduces crime? Well, yes, they certainly do. Gates and walls together actually do reduce unauthorized vehicle and foot traffic during the day and night. What many residents enjoy the most about living in a private, gated community is the reduction of traffic. It definitely helps to keep the riff raff out. Who wants random people driving in and out of SunBird? No matter where we choose to live our lives, though, all residents must always understand that they are the last line of defense against crime. Here in SunBird, residents should take all reasonable steps to secure your private residence, as if there is no Patrol and gate services provided by the HOA.

These days, there are many rules or laws that do the best they can to prevent motor vehicles and golf cart crashes, but people must follow the rules and laws for them to work, and even when following such rules and traffic laws, things are not guaranteed. Traffic rules/laws dealing with stop signs, speed limits, distracted driving and driving under the influence are meant to help protect citizens and keep the roads as a safe place to be. Too many times, though, you find that people “dislike” these rules and feel that they are above the law and should not have to follow them; but in the end, no person is invincible, and everybody needs to follow simple laws. A lot of accidents are avoidable, as long as the drivers are aware of their surroundings and make smart decisions.