Are you safer beyond the gate? Advice after recent gated home invasions

NAPLES, Fla. – Security experts say gated communities are one layer of protection but after all the recent home invasions behind the gates of local communities, homeowners have to be vigilant.

The gate, security guard and camera are something many Southwest Floridians are willing to pay extra for; it gives a piece of mind.

“You have security people, others don’t have access during the day and at night there is security,” said resident Michelle Jack. “It’s an extra plus.”

David Winsow, who also lives behind a gate, agrees. “I feel as safe here as I could feel in a community.”

But is a gate a false illusion of safety? Or do gates make you and your home safer from criminals? We let the experts answer.

“A gated community is just one layer of a multilevel approach they need to protect themselves,” said expert Chris Knott, who is a former deputy and owns Naples Security Solutions. “A gate can stop solicitors and lower level criminals, but if someone wants to get in the community– example is last year’s home invasions– they’re gonna do it.”

Knott says Southwest Florida has what he calls “professional” criminals. Ones we have seen at work in Collier County home invasions and the latest home invasion in a gated community in Lee County.

“So it comes down to personal responsibility to secure their homes,” explained Knott. “You don’t live in a bubble, you are not beyond the reach of a certain percentage of criminals.”

Many living beyond the gates say despite the wall they continue to watch.

“I think it is important to be vigilant wherever you live,” said Winsow.

“Crime is going to happen anywhere,” said Jack.

Security experts say to deter criminals: keep your lights on, put alarm signs in your yard and set-up security cameras. The key is to make your home less desirable to the criminals so they move on.

If you would like to learn more about Naples Security Solutions, click here.