2010 News Archive 

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City starts plan for quick access to gated communities in emergencies

With 41 gated communities and apartments in Johns Creek, police and fire officials feared that someday a locked gate could slow their response in an emergency.

So, with approval of the homeowners associations, the City began installing a system in which emergency vehicles can open the gates much like a garage-door opener.

"When we first started the department in 2008, we couldn't get into some of the gated communities," said Johns Creek Police Major John Clifton. "Some of them gave us codes, but half the time the codes didn't work. This is a lot better for police response time and citizen safety."

Police Chief Ed Densmore and Fire Chief Joseph Daniels said the new system demonstrates the vision of the Mayor and Council, and City Manager John Kachmar.

"I don't know of another city that's done this," Daniels said. "It shows a lot of foresight. They're absolutely looking out for the citizens."

Densmore agreed, saying, "This system could save lives and property. During an emergency, the last thing you want is all the emergency vehicles stacked up outside the gate."

Called "Click2Enter," the system is set up to work at all participating gated communities and apartments, eliminating the need for having multiple access codes or gate openers. As of early July, Click2Enter has been set up in 33 of 41 gated apartments and neighborhoods. The City owns and operates the system.

The gates have receivers that can be triggered by emergency vehicles as they approach so the gates open before the police, fire, or ambulance are even at the gate. Before, many gated complexes and neighborhoods had special locked boxes near the gate, but emergency personnel had to get out of their vehicle to retrieve the key and open the gates.

"This new system takes a couple of minutes off the response time," Daniels said. "In an emergency, minutes matter."

Sometimes, police and firefighters have even had to force the gates open to get to a dangerous situation.

The City in September began installing the system, which cost about $32,000. By early July, four gated communities had not enrolled in the service. Another four were not recommended for the service because their gates are manned around the clock.