Friday, May 25, 2012

Neighbourhood Security

For the past several days there have been a spate of incidents in my neighbourhood that raised the concerns of many about the efficacy of our security guards.
My neighbour whose house is directly opposite mine was broken into at 8.15 pm and the son who was at home was tied and forced to open the safe and the contents were looted. Only the maids and his grandmother were at home while the parents and his wife were not at home.
The resident's association of my neighbourhood had put a security system to prevent untoward incidents such as snatch thefts and house breaking since September 2010 after several incidents of snatch thefts and house breaking were reported.
We had a change of the security service provider when it was found that some guards were under performing as it is difficult to get good ones at the rate we are paying. High performing security providers normally do not cater residential areas and the cost would have been beyond our means. Nevertheless, the security situation have improved since the system have been installed.
The problem has always been to find a balance of implementing a system that entails the closure of the many entrances and exits and the ease of traffic flow since we have a school in the neighbourhood. And not all are paying the monthly fees.
Now since the recent increase in security lapses we are going to implement a system that restricts entry and exit only through one gate and the rest will be closed. It is going to cause inconveniences to visitors and residents, but it is a small price to pay to ensure security.

4 comments:

Al-Manar said...

My 'kampong' is just like many whwere Malays are in the majority. Hoouse-breaking is a kind of nightly affair. Generally people talk of drug addicts who go anything that be turned to cash. It is a shame. To me the current problem is small compared to a time when these youths are adults. The possible crimes may not be petty any more. And what will become of the female addicts? I hate to image the possibilities. Apa dah jadi kepada golongan kita yang menganut satu ugama yang teragong?

abdulhalimshah said...

Dear Pak Cik,
I cannot imagine that such things happened in rural Trengganu where traditional values of village solidarity should prevail. Nampaknya keruntuhan akhlak bukan disebabkan oleh kejahilan semata mata, tetapi nilai agama sudah tidak lagi menjadi teras utama dalam masyarakat desa.

kaykuala said...

Dear Hal,
It's a pity that things are not as safe as before. Religious awareness before was less apparent but still security was tolerable. Now we have gated housing and youngsters are kidnapped (not rich towkays like before) The materialistic society got them to seek an easy way to survive. With the impending global recession and minimum wage structure imposed, unemployment will soar. It has not seen the worst yet!

Hank

abdulhalimshah said...

Dear Hank,
I just cannot imagine what the worst will be coming our way when the world is in turmoil.