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Sheriff's deputies have electronic keys that would let them into any of Santa Clarita's gated complexes that have installed emergency key boxes and panels, including apartment complexes and some schools.
"Right now we're doing a lot of catch-up for facilities that need to come into compliance with the city of Santa's Clarita's code," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Rissler, who estimated that only about 20 to 35 percent of complexes the station tracks have the systems installed on their gates.
"It could be a simple thing, like they're not aware of it," Rissler said.
He added that the station is now in the process of notifying complexes of the ordinance through personal contact. More notification will follow, and then those out of compliance will start receiving fines of $500 a day, he said.
While complexes are required to pay for the devices, ranging from about $70 to $300, Rissler said they are worth their price tags.
"The cost of the box will outweigh the cost of a life or a crime," he said.
Julie Estrada, manager of Cordova Estates mobile home park in Canyon Country, said her complex has a key box.
"It makes the residents feel safer that the police have access," Estrada said, adding that deputies used to have to wait for someone to open the gate.
Santa Clarita is the first city in the nation to enforce use of the system through an ordinance, said Sheriff's Sgt. A.J. Rotella. The Los Angeles County Fire Department had secured mandatory use of the system years ago.
The city's ordinance became effective in October 2008, but complexes already in existence at the time were given a year to have the devices installed and operating, sheriff's officials said.
Complexes that are required to install the system include commercial or industrial structures with restricted access, multi-family gated communities and structures with restricted access, schools, government structures and nursing facilities.
