Private Drive

The traffic free, hilly road that I like to run is in a subdivision. Its a subdivision that is maintained by a homeowners association. There are all of 5 houses (when I say houses, I actually mean small mansions all on a minimum of 5 acres each. One house actually looks like a castle) scattered throughout since it is largely undeveloped. Obviously it is more or less a private road since all roads in the subdivision lead to a dead end. This is why running back in there is so appealing. There is no traffic whatsoever, and the traffic I do encounter are residents. All of the 4 times I ran back there one car has passed me.

So my question is, do you think that it is ok for me to be running back there since I don't live back there? My house is a 2 minutes walk from the entrance. Also, my in-laws live right across the street from it. A road sign was put up about a month ago saying that the neighborhood is protected by neighborhood watch and that the county police do not patrol back there. Ok, whatever, most neighborhoods are protected by neighborhood watches. Most recently, like 2 weeks ago, a new sign was put up. It clear as day reads "Private Drive - Video Surveillance in Use". Hummm... This could complicate things.

I interpret this sign as a way to deter crime. Maybe even as a way to deter the Sunday drivers. You know, the people who just drive around and look at other peoples' houses to make sure they are keeping up with the Joneses. I don't know. Jon interprets this sign as them saying that they don't want anyone back there that doesn't live there. The sign doesn't say "Private Drive - Keep Out," or "Private Drive - No Through Traffic." To me its more of a type of warning like, "We got you on video so don't think you can get away with anything."

I mean, I'm not some miscreant intending to steal, vandalize, or solicit anything. I just want to run, and in a safe area. I have always had the mentality of "Its easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission," and I figured I would keep running out there until one of the property owners asks me to stop. In fact, I passed 2 of the property owners on my last run. None of them said anything. They both just said hi and went about their business.

Maybe thats rude or inconsiderate, I don't know. In my defense, I stay on the main road and concentrate on my running. Its not like I go trekking through their property or looking in their windows.

So, bloggers, what do you think? How would you interpret this?