Comments on: Gated communities: Do they belong in Hayward?

By: Matt O'Brien

Matt O'Brien — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:39:51 +0000

Along with Mlsmith’s comment above, I also received an email from a Woodland Knolls resident about the incident that happened there a couple days ago. The e-mailer wrote: “Only two nights after the Hayward Planning Commission voted against our gate, a non-resident of Durham Way crashed into our fire hydrant in the middle of the morning and our neighbor’s truck was broken into. The police have already told us they don’t have the manpower to patrol the area and the Planning Commission in their ultimate wisdom voted against our security gate. I have no idea what we’re expected to do?”

By: Alex Harmon

Alex Harmon — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:24:43 +0000

Monica, what street is that? I live on Sixth Street off D there is always a car accident there the speed limit is 25 and people go 40!

By: monica ruiz

monica ruiz — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:30:56 +0000

My street is a 25 mph residential street. Every day hundreds of cars travel at 35 mph or more. There have been numerous collisions and cars ending up in residents front yards. Teens routinely drive and walk on my street and drink, do drugs and sex also. We hardly ever see the hpd only when they are answering a call. Can we also have a gate in my neighborhood? My point is that every neighborhood has problems and challenges and we all want to feel safe and secure but I believe some of you are bordering on paranoia. “Paranoia will destoy ya.”

By: mlsmith00

mlsmith00 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:13:10 +0000

Did you know that less than 36 hours after the Hayward planning commission voted not to approve the application, three youths are now hospitalized in a local hospital with serious injuries after speeding on Durham Way late at night last night and failing to navigate a curve? Bud – get your facts straight. First, out of 17 homeowners in Woodland Knolls, 12 voted for the gate and 5 against. Many have had numerous breakins during the day, mail theft, vandalism, etc. Teens routinely park on the road at night, drink, do drugs and have sex. This is not about property values. The police do not patrol this private road, although you can spot them frequently on neighboring Oakes.

What is it going to take to prove the point that this is about security and safety. Perhaps the rest of you don’t realize that Bud has a personal agenda here – his home is on Oakes just outside of Durham Way.

By: rickro

rickro — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:34:50 +0000

Hi Bud,

No. I did not know that a large percentage of residents opposed a gated community; however, my comment was based on my experience, and not indicative of any particular community including Woodland Knolls. Yes, I am sure, under certain circumstances a gated community might be detrimental, but certainly, at least in some form, the concerns you bring to light can be mitigated to some extent.

By: bud

bud — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:59:03 +0000

rickro
do you know that a number of woodland knolls homeowners are passionately opposed to the gate including a 87 year old grandmother that fears that the gate might well cause a life-ending ambulance delay
i reckon the key question is should someone be gated in against their will

By: rickro

rickro — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:46:13 +0000

As a deterrent to intruders, security gates serve an excellent purpose. However, by no means is a gate a panacea for all security issues. From a real estate perspective, as a Real Estate Broker, my assessment is that value depends on the individual buying into the community. There is no general method to add value to property simply because a particular property or development is gated. Having lived in both environments, and presently living in a non-gated development, I prefer a gated environment. I reason that any impediment to criminal intrusion is better than none. Moreover, gated environments usually involve Homeowner’s Associations responsible for adhering to the best interests of all residents living in the community. Certainly, at least for the gated community residents, a better living environment is no detriment.

By: TheVoice

TheVoice — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:39:42 +0000

Let us get more patrols up there to give out more tickets to the offenders, the homeowners must get to know each other and form a watch group up in their neighborhood. Everyone has to be vigilant and aware among thier immediate surroundings. Use the system to resolve the issues. Stay away from isolation.

By: bud

bud — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:10:59 +0000

i agree with monica- why haven’t the woodland knolls people ever considered a neighborhood watch program. i strongly believe that their desire for a gate is based more on an increase in property values. perhaps part of their desire is based upon their need to feel elite. i drove through woodland knolls today and was shocked to see that some of the strongest proponets of the gate already have huge, very expensive locked gates in front of their homes. if these proponents of the gate so strongly about the need for a gated lifestyle, why did they purchase a home in an ungated area rather than moving into an area which is already gated

By: monica ruiz

monica ruiz — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:10:12 +0000

How about a neighborhood watch group? That’s what the rest of US have to do…

WE ALL have the same issues no matter what part of the city WE live in.