With the increase of theft of electric gate motors from residences around Gauteng, Fidelity ADT provided tips to secure properties.
Fidelity ADT community development manager, Linda Reeder, said there had been two incidents in Gallo Manor in the past week and the reality was that there was a thriving black market for gate motor parts.
“Stolen gate motors are either stripped down and its various components sold individually or they are sold as complete units to unsuspecting homeowners by these ‘access automation bandits’ as they are often referred to,” said Reeder.
She said there was also a worrying trend of suspects deactivating the gate motor and accessing the property while on manual override.
Here are some useful tips for safeguarding your gate motor against theft and from criminals accessing your property:
- Ensure that your gate motor is secured in a steel casing or bracket which is locked at all times. Suspects often just place their hands through the gate if your gate motor is unsecured and installed right next to a palisade-type gate. They are then able to switch the gate to manual and access your property
- Make use of a good quality lock to secure the motor’s theft-resistant cage. Preferably opt for an insurance-rated padlock
- Install adequate anti-lift brackets and weld a piece of flat bar onto the gate rack to prevent thieves from bending the rack upwards
- Combine mechanical anti-theft systems such as traditional theft-resistant cages, with electronic notification devices which are able to send notifications to users when the device’s inputs are triggered
Read Vehicle theft increases in Douglasdale and Fourways
“Your electric gate should be one of the first perimeter deterrents to protect you from crime. By following the tips provided, you can ensure your gate motor and gate are securely protected and work against crime rather than against you,” concluded Reeder.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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