VILLA PARK : Community to Lock Its Gates at Night

Because of security problems and vandalism at Villa Park Orchards, the City Council this week voted to allow residents of the community to lock the main entrance gate from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The six residents of the city’s only gated community will use an electronic card system to get into Villa Park Orchards during those hours. The gate will be left open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The system will be tried for a year.

Only three homes are in Villa Park Orchards now. The 29 other home sites are expected to be developed within two years.

“This will save us from all the vandalism here and we won’t have to call the sheriffs to come by as often,” said John C. Coelho, a resident and developer of the community.