Verandah controls vehicular access through our Main and Tropic entrances. Care to guess how many vehicles of all makes, models, and sizes enter Verandah each day? It will surprise even the savviest homeowner. This spring Verandah’s gatehouses had over 2500 resident vehicles entering the Main gate each day. At the Tropic gate resident entries averaged nearly 1,500 vehicles a day. Guests and vendors entering the Main gate averaged 400 vehicles a day. In summary, Verandah is a very active community with many, many people coming and going each day.
Roles and responsibilities
Weiser Security – The VCA contracts with them to manage our two gatehouses. They have several responsibilities, most important being to control vehicular access and conduct community patrols. Six times a day these patrols check the Tropic gate and perimeter fences to ensure they are secure, drive through each neighborhood, look for streetlights and monument lighting not working, check that all amenities are secured after hours, and check all construction sites to ensure contractors are gone by 6:00 PM. (They also staff the Tropic gate when needed.)
If you see something amiss like a water main or sprinkler break, a pet on the loose, or excessive noise from a neighbor please call the office (239-694-6358) during the day and the gatehouse (239-693-1321) in the evening. (These phone numbers are also posted to our website VCAlife.com.)
The VCA has directed gatehouse personnel to ask for identification for all people entering through the visitor lanes – even if a vehicle has an Envera sticker on the windshield. (These stickers are used by Envera in many communities and gatehouse personnel do not know if a sticker on an entering vehicle has been issued by Verandah.) We know this may delay your entrance time and ask that you be patient with the staff while they do their job.
Envera – Envera provides electronic services including the kiosk at the Tropic Gate, a 24/7 resident and visitor call center, cameras that record activity at both gates, and the access stickers that each resident vehicle has on their windshield. (If you need to reach Envera please call 1-877-936-8372 or use the app they have provided to all residents.)
Controlling access vs. security
Verandah is a gated community that controls access, but Verandah does not provide security services. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) is responsible for security. For example, when people are concerned about family or neighbor disputes, vehicular accidents, and unusual behaviors they should call LCSD. If you feel there is a security issue in Verandah please call the Sheriff at (239) 477-1000. Everyone is encouraged to “say something if they see something”. Let’s all keep Verandah safe.
