S.20.2-14: Gatekeeping Kinda Sucks Act (Failed)

[reagente]

Gatekeeping Kinda Sucks Act

Section 1. Definition
1. "Gated community" shall refer to a form of residential community or housing estate containing strictly controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, and often characterized by a closed perimeter of walls and fences.
2. "Publicly accessible" shall refer to an entrance or exit that any member of the public can access by car (unless the subdivision has no car access), bicycle, or on foot.

Section 2. Eating the Rich
1. All residential subdivisions in the Southern Region must have at least one publicly accessible entrance.
 a. This entrance may not be obstructed by a gate, fence, or toll booth.
2. Any residential subdivision currently inaccessible to non-residents or invited guests due to any obstruction must remove said obstruction no later than six months after passage of this act.

Section 3. Clarification
1. This act shall not apply to hotels, motels, or residential apartment or condominium buildings.

Sponsor: Governor MB (D/L - PR)

I'm curious what Governor MB's rationale for this legislation is. Presently, I do not see any reason to pass it.

[reagente]

Gated communities interfere with two things: freedom of movement and community ties. Blocking access to neighborhoods for non residents serves no purpose except to keep the "other" out and stems from an era where people were discriminated against in housing based on their race. It can give people the feeling they're somehow more entitled than the average person because of where they live.

There's no evidence that gated communities make a place more secure - in fact the opposite can sometimes be true. Trayvon Martin was shot in a gated community. A gate won't stop your average criminal either. Often they're only blocked for cars, any criminal with half a brain can either walk right through or hop the fence. And adding onto that it's usually filled with more expensive houses which means more expensive stuff to steal.

Although I remain unconvinced of the necessity of this legislation, I thank you for responding.

[reagente]

Nay