Traffic and Safety Committee: Lock Your Vehicles / Off Hour Call-Ins

Lock Your Vehicles
I am sure that it has happened, but in the last seven years or so I haven’t heard of a thief breaking into a locked vehicle to steal anything. When thefts have occurred here in the Shores, the cars and trucks have been left on the street or driveway unlocked—as our deputy sheriffs remind us via their main crime prevention program, “Lock It or Lose It.”
Off Hour Call-Ins
Every day there are taxi-type vehicles arriving at the Mariner gate to pick up someone and transport them to a particular place such as an airport or a special appointment. Most folks utilizing these transportation services alert the patrol officer at the gate and the Uber, taxi, or Lyft driver either picks up their passenger at the gate or is directed to the proper residence. This system almost always works well.
Unfortunately, there are exceptions to even the best of plans. During the extra quiet hours just after midnight there are very few, if any, non-resident vehicles that attempt to enter through the gate. As a practical matter, the guard is assigned to perform patrol responsibilities through out the community. If, during this period, a vehicle without an appropriate bar code approaches the gate and wishes to enter, there are directions clearly posted directing the visitor to access the speaker a few feet away and speak with Securitas personnel. If appropriate, the guard will return to the gate house and either admit the driver or provide appropriate guidance. Normally this system is very effective, but a surprising number of professional drivers don’t see the sign or speaker. The consequence is that the driver leaves and someone misses a timely ride to their flight or appointment. Staff, while investigating one such incident, reviewed the video and noted that the Uber driver, upon seeing no guard on post, got out of his car and looked into the guard house. He apparently didn’t see the clearly posted sign that was several inches from his nose and drove away.
To preclude taking a chance of missing an important connection, during the hours after midnight, please notify the transportation provider of the directions on the gate guard door, and the speaker on a pole next to the door. An alternative is to meet the driver at the gate. Either one will ensure that you make your connections in a smooth and timely manner.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy