Residential estates and townhouse complexes have mushroomed over the last few years with estates and complexes ranging from about 40 units to huge developments of thousands of units. Residents flock to these types of development for their promise of an aesthetically pleasing, lock-up-and-go secure lifestyle – but living on a security estate does not mean that all good sense about security should go out the window, says Clive Humphrey, Managing Director of ADT Central Region.
“Unfortunately crime syndicates often target lifestyle estates,” says Humphrey. He explains that people can become complacent once moving into these estates and that the syndicates know this.
“Criminals also ferret out information from communities who, knowingly or unknowingly, provide information on what they see and hear as contractors or service providers on estates. A particularly serious problem is information passed on by people who live on, or have regular jobs within estates, he says. Armed with information, and their own reconnaissance, the criminals keep finding new ways of gaining access to estates.”
While estate security companies are constantly on the look-out for ways to improve their service to residents, residents too can play a part in dealing with crime in estates.
ADT Security offers the following safety tips for estate residents:
- Don’t rely on perimeter security alone. While perimeter security measures have been successful in driving down crime in estates, residents still need to take precautions in their homes. “Once criminals gain access to properties within estates they often have free rein because residents become complacent about their personal home security within these developments,” says Humphrey. “Be sure to lock doors and windows and ensure vehicles are locked, even if parked in a garage and don’t leave valuables lying around, particularly where they may be visible to passersby.”
- Check the references of your domestic worker and gardener. Very often crimes within estates are carried out with the assistance of a domestic staff member. Make sure you have properly checked your domestic worker’s and gardener’s references and educate them on keeping your home secure when you are not there. ADT sponsors monthly Domestic Watch programmes for this purpose, so why not send your domestic workers to one of these sessions.
- Watch out if there is construction on the go. Having construction workers on site within estates has historically resulted in elevated crime levels. Whether this is a direct result of construction workers having access to the estate, or because of the increase in traffic in and out of the estate remains moot. The wise thing to do is to take extra precautions and be extra diligent about ensuring your home is secure.
- Report suspicious behaviour. One of the modus operandi within these estates is for a crime syndicate to move into a home for a period of time. During this time, they monitor the behaviour of residents and initiate house break-ins in the estate before moving out. If you notice any suspicious behaviour, such as blinds or curtains permanently drawn, report it immediately to your security company.
- Be alert when entering and exiting the estate. Criminals have targeted residents leaving from or returning to estates and hijacked them a few metres from the gates or, followed them inside and robbed them by tailgating them as they enter the premises. The reality is that people relax and become less and less alert the closer they get to home. Don’t think that just because there is a security guard at the gate that you can become complacent. “If you notice anything suspicious at the gate rather don’t pull in right away but watch from a safe distance or drive on and alert the SAPS or your security company,” Humphrey concludes.
