Gated Up
The tragic deaths of those girls who, in two separate incidents, were trapped by electric gates caused an outcry about the regulation of the industry. Naturally this should be addressed.
However, I think we should take a view on the merits of allowing gated properties or gated streets at all – electric or otherwise and that view should be that residential streets should not be gated.
As it happens, I live in a town where three quarters of the land area is made up of private streets, most is gated and most of the gated land is electronically controlled. I think the reason why people buy gated properties is to make a statement – “Look at me” or “I have arrived”. They might pretend to themselves that it is for security but that reason does not stack-up. First crime in our town is very low in relation to national standards (whether in a gated property or not) and, secondly, much of the crime, such that it is, is high-end car theft to order. These thefts are undertaken by career expert criminals who take an order to steal a specific car – down to model, colour engine size etc, break into the owner’s house to get the keys to steal the car. The electric gates open for them automatically as they leave.
Admittedly, some of our private gated estates are very pleasant to walk or cycle though. Especially those with electric gates and security staff. But secure they are not – there is always a way to get through.
In my view, a gated society is dysfunctional – we should find ways to ensure that people would not feel the need to live behind bars.
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Comments
Gated Areas
In an ideal world, we agree it would be "nice" not to have to resort to gated streets or alleys.
However, if you have been plagues with gangs of kids congregating behind your house, the language the broken bottles, syringes and other items I dont wish to write on here !!, then you will be one of the many of us who cheered and applauded the day these gates were invented.
We have lockable gates behind our row of terraced houses , they never get stuck and would be impossible for anybody to be trapped on one. Unless, of course, they are the undesirables who will still attempt to climb a 10ft high "locked" gate, or try to squeeze through a tiny gap, then in that case they deserve everything they get after that.
Sadness of kids dying or being trapped with electrical gates is dreadful, but this must be heavily looked into for the causes whether they be electrical failure, bad workmanship or other reasons.
Please do not generalise too much on this as some of us have lived through hell without the security these gates provide.
North Manchester Resident
Mixing the back with the front
I quite understand the need to protect the rear of a property. The word garden derives from the meaning "of protected space or area". What you are describing is the rear of property. I was talking about whole streets being gated.
It is common for rules to allow for higher walls and fences at the rear of a property than at the front - for example my wall at the rear of my home is over three metres high.
Having lived myself in places that The Sun has called "muggers mile" I understand how it can feel. However, I do not resile from my view that gated streets indicate a dysfunctional society. There should be other ways of ensuring that the fear you experienced is removed from our land.