Ever since the real estate boom began, around the 1980s, there has been a building and buying trend toward gated communities. Instead of locking criminals within bars, people are willingly placing themselves behind a new set of bars, hoping to keep the criminals out. The proponents of the gated community trend say they are a safe haven for homeowners, while detractors suggest the alleged security benefits do not measure up to the price tag. So, which is it?

In truth, a gated community is likely to have a lower crime rate than a nearby, non-gated neighborhood. But, all gated communities are not created equal. Those with a uniformed guard monitoring the entrance to the community are safer than counterparts with a simple buzzer system. The presence of a guard is a very real deterrent, enough of one that most criminals will certainly favor a location without the hassle. A typical guard-monitored community has one gate for residents that requires a code or special card for entry, and then a separate gate for all guests. This system does work to provide greater security, which for some, is enough to warrant the extra cost that comes with it.

A gated community without a guard could still prove to be a nuisance for criminals, but one they may be more than willing to endure. For every person who thinks of the word safe when they hear of a gated community, there is another person that thinks of the word wealthy. A patient criminal may be all too willing to wait for an opportunity to sneak his way into a gated community for a chance at the wealth he believes to be inside. And we’ve all seen how easy it is for someone to slip in through an open gate on the heels of a resident’s car.

Bottom-line: Whether you live in a gated community or not, there is no solution that will offer 100 percent protection. If residents within a gated community take security lightly, any benefits will be quickly erased. Gated communities can provide some additional security, but there are plenty of safety measures a homeowner can take on his or her own to generate additional security as well. In the end, it boils down to a matter of preference and budget.