I live in the land of sunshine where there seems to be five million country club communities spread all over the state. I however do not live in one of those country club villages, but in a high rise condominium right on the ocean. It's a nice older building with a view to die for that only faces water. I really consider myself very fortunate to be living in a place like this. It is by no way pretentious and our security consists of one person sitting behind a desk with some security camera's around the building. It is like this 24 hours a day and seems to work fine with some wonderful retired people in plain clothing sitting there and doing their job. (When of course they are not watching TV or reading a newspaper ) In the ten years that I have lived here, there has not been one incident of crime or vandalism.
Now I am sure you are wondering why I am going through such bullshit, just to get to the point of the story ? I am thinking the same thing, so here goes. I guess Florida, California and a few other states lead the country in those kind of golf communities that I am talking about. They all seem to look the same and are built around a golf course or two. There is usually a golf shop, restaurant, bar, pool, gym, and all the other crap that goes along with that. Oh, lets not forget that everyone that lives in one of these places thinks theirs is the best in the world. They have the best golf course, the best restaurant, the best amenities and the fucking best everything. Just don't ever try to eat in any of those clubs because the food always sucks and they are all ugly.
But alas.........The one thing they will all tell you about is their wonderful security system. Most of these housing developments (as I like to call them) have the fanciest of fancy entrances. They extend for miles and usually have either large bodies of water, water falls, mountains, gigantic signs with so much stuff going on. Finally, you pass that and guess where you are ? At some gate house, with a huge gate, and some funny looking rent a cop who thinks they are on CSI, Rookie Blue, or any other of your favorite TV shows. They are sitting in some booth with 5000 TV surveillance cameras and watching everything. (actually they are sitting and eating and bullshiting with the other rent a cop. They seem to always be in pairs. )
So here is the deal. They will stop you and walk up to your car window (usually only a foot or two), and ask you who you are there to see. Now that is a very fair question and certainly does make lots of sense. Once you tell them who you are visiting and your name........they will go into their booth or house or whatever and check to see if you have permission to enter. Now in most places the person you are visiting will have put you on a list or telephoned the guard in advance, or they will call that person. In any event, that is really no big deal.
Here is the part that is complete and total bullshit. After he or she has checked your name with the person you are visiting, you will be asked to provide a drivers license for them to check. Now what is the fucking point of giving my name along with the person I am visiting ???? No one other than me will have that information....What is the point of this idiot rent a cop looking at my license ?
But that is not even the point. Have you ever seen some of these people ? Can you believe that some of them carry guns ? They really have no authority to do anything. It is really a complete joke, but that is not even the point. When you finally do get past the gate you will probably drive some 5 miles of perfectly landscaped and tree lined streets before you reach your destination.
What bothers me is some people living in these places think they have the best security system in the world. I must admit that some do a really good job of watching who they let in. The reality is that if your driving a nice car, dressed well, and manage to wave and give a big hello to the rent a cop............most of the time they will open the gate for you.
I guess the bottom line is that if someone wants to commit a crime, they will do it. Or, maybe I am just jealous that our guards in my building are just nice guys, know everyone, don't wear uniforms, and are not about to ask a guest for their license. I guess I am just ranting because I just hate to have show my license to one of these jerks when I am visiting someone. It is just wrong.
That is why I wear my CRaPUSA cap whenever I go to one of these places. You can do the same.
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