Need some opinions to fix this problem?

[CGCINC]

I live in a gated community but the gate is always open. The HOA says they keep the gate open because the there are still vacant lots and they want to invite people to look at the Villas and possibly build here. Well, we have a problem with people going swimming in the private pool because for one, they are allowed to drive in without using a code for the front gate and two, the side gate to the pool area has a coded entry but you can reach through the gate and just push the inside handle.
A lot of us have complained but they say it is up to the residents to "police" the pool area and confront those violators...
I told them one simple fix is to alter the gate so they cannot just reach in and push the inside handle. They liked this idea and asked if I could draw up what I'm thinking and submit it to them. I first thought just a thin sheet metal plate but then I went with expanded metal so you can still see in/out of the pool area.

I'm just wondering if anyone has a better idea or something better looking than expanded metal?
The picture of the gate from the inside has a yellow line on one of the posts, I can still reach the handle from this point so that is why I figured just run it all the way across.

[fdcmiami]

I live in a gated community but the gate is always open. The HOA says they keep the gate open because the there are still vacant lots and they want to invite people to look at the Villas and possibly build here. Well, we have a problem with people going swimming in the private pool because for one, they are allowed to drive in without using a code for the front gate and two, the side gate to the pool area has a coded entry but you can reach through the gate and just push the inside handle.
A lot of us have complained but they say it is up to the residents to "police" the pool area and confront those violators...
I told them one simple fix is to alter the gate so they cannot just reach in and push the inside handle. They liked this idea and asked if I could draw up what I'm thinking and submit it to them. I first thought just a thin sheet metal plate but then I went with expanded metal so you can still see in/out of the pool area.

I'm just wondering if anyone has a better idea or something better looking than expanded metal?
The picture of the gate from the inside has a yellow line on one of the posts, I can still reach the handle from this point so that is why I figured just run it all the way across.

does the pool have a railing around it? it had better because if someone drowns or is injured and plaintiff's attorney gets a look at this thread they will be going after the homeowner's association. they will anyway but this would only help their case. amazing the hoa could be this stupid.

you could always build the pool rail if they don't have one. wouldn't hurt to suggest.

http://www.mcnichols.com/viewer.htm

[Titan winch]

If you box in the Handle /Keypad from the inside then it would eliminate some one reaching in to gain easy access to the handle. 4to 5 " out from handle should be enough to allow for any wrist movement to reach the handle i would think.
As for keeping it looking acceptable it might be less intrusive having the box as opposed to adding a full mesh style covering .
Cheers

[CGCINC]

The pool has an entire fence all the way around it. There are signs posted that it is private and for residents only as well as safety rules and swim at your own risk.
I like the "Perf-O-grip" in your link but I bet it's sharp on one side since it's for stairways.

Back when we first bought the place....

[CGCINC]

If you box in the Handle /Keypad from the inside then it would eliminate some one reaching in to gain easy access to the handle. 4to 5 " out from handle should be enough to allow for any wrist movement to reach the handle i would think.
As for keeping it looking acceptable it might be less intrusive having the box as opposed to adding a full mesh style covering .
Cheers

Good idea! They might like that better and since this job is a freebie, I might like that better too!

And, I could probably build it to fit and just bolt it on instead of welding to the gate.....Hmmmmmmm, Thanks!!

[DaveO]

I like the box idea too, but a motivated pool jumper could defeat it with a bent clothes hanger on that handle (if they get tired of jumping the fence). Possible to replace the handle with a round knob?

[CGCINC]

I like the box idea too, but a motivated pool jumper could defeat it with a bent clothes hanger on that handle (if they get tired of jumping the fence). Possible to replace the handle with a round knob?

Well, like they say, "locks only keep out the honest people".
Not worried about fence jumpers, we just need to make it not so easy to get in with that handle. I live across the street and if I see someone jumping, you can bet I will be tossing them back over the fence! My wife watched a guy with his child swim for hours and then when they left and drove out the gate she followed him, he drove about three blocks away to his house..... Yes my wife is a little crazy...she's a woman!
It sounds like I'm a pissy little b i t c h but we pay $125 a month to use the pool so it's frustrating when people just drive in and go swimming like they own the place.

[fdcmiami]

i see, i thought the gate in the photo was to the entrance to the property not the pool area. that is the type of setup we have here. there is a pedestrian gate and gates with electronic operators for autos. to get into the pool area here we are issued (for 100 dollars) a card that is inserted into the reader for entry and exit. since we lose about one person a day down here to pool drownings hoa's are pretty obsessive about pool accesss and liability.

125 a month for pool use seems high; hope they heat it for you.

your hoa sounds a lot less militaristic than ours but they get that way, at least down here, out of necessity. you place looks nice.

[CGCINC]

Well, it's $125 a month for HOA fee's which include grass, trash, snow removal and pool.
A card reader would be nice. If we had one drowning a day here, everyone would be gone in 22 days!! lol...
This is a small gated area here.

[undercut]

Well, it's $125 a month for HOA fee's which include grass, trash, snow removal and pool.
A card reader would be nice. If we had one drowning a day here, everyone would be gone in 22 days!! lol...
This is a small gated area here.

1/8" plate laid down all around the outside of the gate. Work clamp on plate. Torch connection on gate. Special key to turn off power on the welder. Done!

[Slartybartfa]

I keep thinking you could do the box-thing, and stand it off the gate using rubber insulators. Then hook it up to a small fence charger so's you'd get zapped if you reached around, especially when barefoot, or with a coathanger.

Either that or epoxy small treble hooks around the perimeter. That way if someone tried to get in, you'd have a tissue sample for positive DNA match. You'd get the perp!

Boat docks are often accessed through steel gates. Usually the knob on the inside is set in a box, screened about 18" (or one cubit if you walk like an Egyptian). all around with expanded metal. Seems simple enough.

A dummy (or real) security camera mounted conspicuously facing the gate might help keep honest people honest.

Or you could borrow from that scene in Caddyshack where Bill Murray tosses a maple bar in the pool. Get some creative individual to make a phony turd out of foam. Have residents toss it in the pool when they leave and remove it when they want to use it.

Don't get me started!

Seriously, though, pools are attractive and carry high liability. That problem should have been dealt with when the gate/fence was put up. Just asking for trouble.

[CGCINC]

Seriously, though, pools are attractive and carry high liability. That problem should have been dealt with when the gate/fence was put up. Just asking for trouble.

I'm pretty sure they're not gonna go for a zapping metal fence...lol. Although I would be all for it!
Yeah, this was a bad idea from the start and no one caught it, or cared enough.

[redbeard]

If the gated community was actually gated, this problem wouldn't exist either.

Whichever way you go, box or panel, people being the resourceful bastards that they are, can still defeat it with a coathanger. I think a round knob on the inside is needed regardless.

IMHO the panels would probably look nicer and be easier for the residents than reaching into a box. You could cut them to size, treat the edges (or not) and just zap them on with Tek screws.

Or, you could get a "No Trespassing" sign for the gate, then instead of just following people home, your wife could do this:

[CGCINC]

If the gated community was actually gated, this problem wouldn't exist either.

Whichever way you go, box or panel, people being the resourceful bastards that they are, can still defeat it with a coathanger. I think a round knob on the inside is needed regardless.

IMHO the panels would probably look nicer and be easier for the residents than reaching into a box. You could cut them to size, treat the edges (or not) and just zap them on with Tek screws.

Or, you could get a "No Trespassing" sign for the gate, then instead of just following people home, your wife could do this:
]

Wow, tv was so simple back then... I remember watching that all the time but it's been Years.

The main gate being closed is the easy answer but we have tried and that will not happen for some time.
A round knob is also a good idea!
I'm just waiting to hear back from the main guy and see what he want's.

[Rambozo]

I can't believe anyone would install something like that without saying something. I'm sure they paid quite a bit for that kind of lock, too. A little more would have got the version with a code pad on both sides as one option. (Not sure if that is legal for a pool gate.)

[undercut]

I can't believe anyone would install something like that without saying something. I'm sure they paid quite a bit for that kind of lock, too. A little more would have got the version with a code pad on both sides as one option. (Not sure if that is legal for a pool gate.)

I was thinking the same thing but I guess there might be something against the possibility of locking someone in (when they forget the code). Round knob will help. Security camera (real or fake) might deter people. Blocking the openings is not going to help with the existing handle in place. coat hanger, wire, rope, etc will easily defeat.

[Brian Ski]

I know this is a welding forum... But I am thinking of a sheet of 1/4 Lexan. Can pre drill holes so you should not get cracks and you can see right through it. Plexiglass is cheaper but brittle. If it shows wear in time you can replace a sheet of Lexan pretty easy if you had too. One sheet can do up most of the door and the left side... If you don't do the right side it probably won't be noticed...

Welding would not be bad but start looking like a jail door.

BTW pool party at CGCs!!!!!

[undercut]

BTW pool party at CGCs!!!!!

Hey, now there's an idea. And we can let ourselves in!

Oh, and congrats on the contest, Brian.

[CGCINC]

BTW pool party at CGCs!!!!!

Actually, that's in a few weeks!! My wife is having a work party for all the nurses on the Trauma floor.... All the BBQ they can eat!

[Brian Ski]

Actually, that's in a few weeks!! My wife is having a work party for all the nurses on the Trauma floor.... All the BBQ they can eat!

Wow... Trauma nurses!!!!!