The Hindu : Kerala News : Guards must be vigilant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 14, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Guards must be vigilant

In cities in Kerala, burglars have started targeting flats which were generally considered relatively safe with the collective security they offered. What needs to be done to tackle this new menace? Our readers respond:

That burglars have started targeting flats, considered free from such activities in cities here, comes as a surprise. This happens mainly because of failure on the part of security personnel. As such, there seems to be no solution, other than to force the security personnel to be more vigilant. Burglar bars should be fitted on all windows and alarms installed to frighten burglars. Occupants of flats should form teams that meet once a month to chalk out programmes to check illegal entries, thefts, etc. Also, when the occupants of a flat have to be away for a few days, one of the keys to the flat should be entrusted with the guard on duty.

K.K. Kunhi Kannan

Koyilandy

Harsher punishment

Incidents of looting, burglary, and chain-snatching are at a record high. The main culprits are youngsters, out to make money by any crooked means. The minor punishments in such cases persuade them to repeat the crime. Installing search-lights near flats and posting police for regular night patrolling might control thefts. Severe punishment under the law is another step to curtail burglary.

Nafeesa Basheer

Ottappalam

Due vigilance

The security system in many flats, especially the smaller ones, is not that efficient. Anybody can sneak in any time. The residents of a flat may not know the occupants of even the opposite apartment. This is an added advantage for the burglar. Most of the thefts in flats take place during day time. Increased vigilance on the part of the residents and mutual cooperation may go a long way in checking burglaries in flats.

C. George Varghese

Thrissur

Better relations

Many communities prefer apartments to individual houses for the incentive of safety. But thieves have raised a challenge to this concept. Apart from the security personnel at the main entrance, a communicative and friendly atmosphere among occupants is essential to warding of criminal elements. Guards should verify whether a person who entered through the main gate has reached an apartment. This can be accomplished through intercom facility. Cameras and other security equipment in hard-to-supervise areas should be made mandatory.

Jibu Jamal

Kochi

Day hazard

Burglars target flats during daytime because occupants leave for their places of work. Security needs to be bolstered. Apart from this, strangers in the guise of vendors should not be permitted to enter flats to prevent possible burglaries.

V.P. Ramesan

Thripunithura

Cautious steps

The prime objective in deciding to invest in flats is the security and companionship it can offer, especially for the aged. A few safety measures may help maintain this purpose. There should be only a single entrance into the premises and there should be round-the-clock security at the gate. A caretaker should be present at the reception and it should be made mandatory that visitors should reveal their identity and the resident he wishes to visit. An intercom should be provided at the reception so that the caretaker can contact the resident to get his consent before the visitor is allowed to proceed to the apartment.

Even domestic helps who come to the apartments should be asked to sign in the register provided.

Sheela Zachariah

e-mail

Systematise security

The recent incidents of theft in flats have made people realize that they cannot afford to be complacent about security. Cameras should be installed at the entrance in all flats. Alarms that go off on opening could be provided at the front door. Security guards should be given training and should not be used for other purposes. All helpers should be given identity cards. Repairs should be done only through registered personnel or regular contacts. Keeping gold ornaments in locked flats should be avoided. Periodical meetings among residents can be held so that they get to know each other. The premises should have bright lighting arrangements. Provision to alert the security could be made in each flat.

Jacob Sahayam A

Thiruvananthapuram

A vibrant social sphere

The lack of familiarity among flat dwellers creates a very conducive atmosphere for the smooth entry of burglars into flats. The collective security system provided in the flats is often not that effective because most of the security personnel employed are not well qualified, equipped or trained for such a task. Among the various possible solutions, one is the creation of better relationships among flat dwellers. This will transform the flats from a ‘dead home’ to a ‘lively home’ resulting in a vibrant social sphere which will create a hindrance to the entry of burglars.

Bijo Joseph

Thiruvananthapuram

Prevention is better

Flats have revolutionised life for the urban class as it provides convenience, comfort, and security. But reports of burglaries indicate that even there, security has become a myth.

Police alone cannot effectively prevent burglaries in flats. So, a combination of methods have to be used to keep burglars at bay. Almost all flats have their own security systems like watchmen, burglar alarms and parking attendants. Maintenance of a register for tracking strangers could help in the event of a burglary. Residential policing can be another effective measure to combat thefts.

S. Rajasekhar

Thiruvananthapuram

Community policing

Community involvement and partnership is what is needed to curb crimes. So an immediate answer to the recent burglaries in flats is the effective implementation of community policing. Community policing brings police and citizens together in identifying and addressing issues. As a policing strategy that involves community interaction, it would be easier to bring problems to the attention of police. It would also help in quick identification of suspects. Archana V.

Kollam

Building it safe

The once popular belief that flats are relatively safer has proved to be a myth in Kerala. Numerous burglaries and even murders are frequently reported from flats in Mumbai and Delhi. Lack of communication among flat-occupants, inefficiency of the security staff, vacant flats in between occupied ones, etc. are some of the reasons that can be attributed to the unsafe conditions in apartments. Police also are lackadaisical towards apartment blocks, thinking that they have their own arrangements for protection. Instead of building scattered blocks on small plots in low rise, high density residential areas, which rob existing residents of privacy and their already strained infrastructure facilities, larger sites preferably away from the city centre should be selected for high rise apartments. The design and layout of the blocks are important. Care should be taken to provide limited entry/exit points. The present style among flat dwellers of living in isolation has to be avoided and mutual interaction and frequent get-togethers encouraged. K. Thomas Poulose

Thiruvananthapuram

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