The Beginner’s Guide to Gated Community Security in California

For many Californians, living in a gated community is a dream. With 33% lower crime rates than neighborhoods without gates, gated communities offer better security and more privacy — but they’re not completely immune to criminal activity.

Because crimes can happen anywhere at any time, many HOAs and homeowners in gated neighborhoods hire private security services for an extra layer of protection.

From the benefits of hiring a professional security team to what type of guards to hire, here’s everything you need to know about California gated community security.

Is It Worth It to Hire Gated Community Security in California?

Yes, the gates surrounding residential communities provide access control and prevent potential criminals and other unauthorized people from entering the neighborhood. However, having a security team can create a more reliably secure environment.

Here’s why you should think about hiring a security company to patrol your community.

Faster Detection of Suspicious Activity

Gated community security guards are trained to respond quickly when they detect suspicious activity. In the event that someone unauthorized tries to get behind the gates, on-site guards can act in an instant.

The HOA staffs a guardhouse or employs front desk staff to keep track of who’s coming and going and permit or deny entry in many gated communities. In some gated communities, residents can access the property using keycodes, passcodes, or key fobs.

Communities that allow passcode or keycode entry should be aware that such access control systems can be bypassed by smart criminals, and it’s best to have physical guards stationed at entry points to provide an added layer of security.

Deters Crime

It’s unfortunate, but not every resident of a gated community can be trusted to protect the neighborhood peace.

Some residents may invite guests who later commit crimes against other residents. But when you have guards on patrol, it reduces the likelihood of property or violent crimes being committed by anyone, including “authorized” guests.

Improves Emergency Response Times

On-site guards are equipped to act fast in an emergency. In addition to rolling out the neighborhood’s emergency evacuation plans, they can also contact local law enforcement and improve emergency response times.

Given the persistent threat of wildfires in California, quick response times are invaluable.

Many security companies in California can also provide you with specially trained fire watch security officers for when water systems are down, when maintenance is being performed, or when hot work is being done.

Even without the threat of wildfires or criminal activity, having a team that can improve emergency response times provides residents peace of mind.

Related: Fire Watch Security: Everything You Need to Know

Ensures Residents Follow the Rules

Security guards within the community can also make sure that residents adhere to the community rules, such as:

• Using amenities such as pools, gyms, barbecue areas, tennis courts, and pickleball courts
• Parking and speeding guidelines
• Dog walking and leashing
• Noise levels

Residents don’t always follow the rules, but communities are safer, cleaner, and happier when they do. Having security guards to enforce the rules makes life better for everyone.

Increases Property Values

Residents in HOA communities value their privacy and security, and robust security staff and security measures improve upon both. The safer and more private the community is, the more desirable a place it is to live. The more desirable the community, the greater the likelihood that property values behind the gates will increase over time.

Related: 5 Reasons Why Gated Communities Are Safer for Your Family

How Can I Know if My Gated Community Needs Extra Security?

In California, gated enclaves run the gamut.

There are upscale, luxury communities known for their exclusivity, like Los Angeles’ Bel Air Crest and Beverly Park, where every home has its own pool and amenities.

There are condominium and townhome communities in more modest neighborhoods, where residents share a community pool, a community fitness center, and other perks.

So, what types of communities should hire security guards?

All of them.

Gated communities that could benefit from hiring guards include those that:

• Have had trouble in the past with criminal activity like property theft and vandalism
• Are surrounded by or located near high crime neighborhoods and want to be sure to keep that element of crime out
• Are home to lots of high-profile celebrities or high net worth individuals who want to maintain their privacy

Whether you live in a gated condominium complex in downtown LA or in a sprawling estate in a prestigious community like Brentwood Circle or Hidden Hills, you and all your neighbors can benefit from ramping up security measures and safety protocols.

Check Out: 43 Shocking US Burglary Statistics

Do Gated Communities Need 24/7 Security?

When hiring security for a gated community, consider if you need security guards on staff 24/7. Crimes can occur any time and anywhere, so 24/7 security guards are the best choice.

With HOAs, this decision is usually voted on by board members or residents. Some HOAs vote to have 24/7 guards. Some choose to hire a larger security staff at night and a smaller security staff during the day. Others opt to staff guards only at night and rely on remote security system monitoring during the daytime.

For upscale gated communities that want the best security measures in place, a combination of 24/7 security guards and remote video surveillance monitoring offers the best protection.

What to Consider When Hiring Security Guards for Your Gated Community

In addition to deciding whether you want 24/7 security or part-time guards, there are some other considerations to make.

Do You Need Armed or Unarmed Guards?

The decision to hire armed or unarmed guards is a personal choice for homeowners and homeowner associations. In California, all security guards must carry a guard card as proof of their licensing and training to work as a security professional. It’s also proof they’ve undergone a background check.

Those who are licensed to carry firearms must also undergo extensive firearms training. In fact, many armed security guards in California have professional backgrounds in law enforcement or the military.

Do You Need Video Surveillance Monitoring?

If you need new surveillance cameras or wish to update your current security system, ask the security company you’re thinking of hiring if they can handle the installation or monitoring of a new surveillance system.

Many top security companies in California offer 24/7 surveillance camera monitoring, including on-site and off-site monitoring.

Do You Need Guards to Patrol on Foot or in Vehicles?

The size of your community is an important factor in deciding whether to have guards patrol on foot or in vehicles.

In smaller communities, on-foot security patrol services may be enough. In larger communities you may require patrol vehicles or, at the minimum, golf carts to get around.

You can also combine patrol vehicles (to monitor the entire community) and on-foot guards (to monitor the gated entrances) to improve your coverage.

What Type of Residents Are in Your Community?

The type of residents in your community play a big factor in how many guards you will need, the patrol methods you’ll need, if you should hire armed or unarmed guards, and how much you can budget for security services.

For example, in celebrity enclaves, residents may not care how much security costs. In more modest gated communities or those with elderly residents on fixed incomes, increasing HOA fees to cover the cost of added security may be problematic.

In high profile communities with celebrities, politicians, and public figures, you might choose to provide even more robust security, like K9 security patrols to work in tandem with trained guards.

Related: Hiring K9 Security Services in California

When selecting security guard services for your community, always choose the type of security that your residents feel most comfortable with.

How to Find Gated Community Security Services in California

The easiest way to find top security companies in California is Security Explorer. Our streamlined process makes it simple to find gated community security throughout the Golden State.

Get started by filling out our simple online form with your contact information, location, and specific security needs. A member of our team will reach out to you to verify your information and connect you with top-rated security companies that can protect your gated community around the clock or on an as-needed basis.

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With gated community security measures in place, homeowners and HOAs can rest assured that their properties are as safe and as protected as they can be. While the gates alone can be a great crime deterrent, having professional security guards in place further elevates your safety and increases your peace of mind.

To find gated community security services in California, visit Security Explorer now.

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