Post-Y2K polls in the Los Angeles Times found 91 percent of Orange County residents satisfied with the quality of life in suburbia. Restricted to south county residents, the sentiment becomes virtually unanimous. Nearly two-thirds of residents are fully supportive of their local law enforcement agency. Most have no intention of moving out of the county in the near future. Life is good.
Crime is on the decline.
People feel safe in their homes. Currently, a full one-fourth of the county's population lives in gated communities and many more are debating whether to become part of a growing trend. Those in favor of such neighborhoods argue that the gates keep residents of the community safe from unwanted trespassers. Yet less than five percent of county residents report experiencing or being affected by crime. Another, more insidious argument contends that security-patrolled gates would dramatically raise property values in otherwise static real estate markets.