In Southwest Florida, hurricane preparation is part of life. Most communities have clear plans for shutters, landscaping, and common areas, but security systems are often overlooked until it’s too late.

Vehicle gates are one of the hardest working systems in any community. They operate hundreds, sometimes thousands of times per day—exposed to heat, rain, salt air, and constant use. And yet, many associations don’t think about their gates until something breaks. In fact, this exact pattern shows up again and again—systems that “worked yesterday” until suddenly they don’t.

We are excited to announce that Key Powell, owner of Key Security Services, has written a book! Geared specifically for property managers, The Gates Worked Yesterday takes readers behind the scenes of community security in Southwest Florida. Through real-world case studies involving vehicle gates, access control systems, cameras, master keys, elevator controls, hurricanes, and human error, he reveals a simple truth: security systems rarely fail all at once — they drift.

Locked out of her Estero condo on a Friday evening in January, with her phone locked inside, she had a friend call the first locksmith they could find. What followed was less than 10 minutes of work that resulted in a bill nearly 5 times the industry average and a discovery of how little regulation locksmiths face in Florida.

For decades, community associations have been forced to choose between two unsatisfying options: A big, up-front capital investment that strains the annual budget A reactive repair model that leads to unexpected bills and emergency board meetings But Key Security Services created a better way. Introducing the All-Inclusive Peace of Mind Plan from Key Security Services—a smarter, simpler way to secure your property without the chaos, confusion, or capital surprises.

Destroying Padlocks the old fashioned way with Grinders and Guns.

Crime is no laughing matter, except in these cases.