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Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Why the Gated Community?
By Gamal Newry
Aug 28, 2007 - 8:42:31 AM

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Contrary to popular belief, the crime rate is subject to who is counting and who it affects. Thus when the police say crime is under control we must remember the old saying 'a fisherman never calls his fish stink' as a result we should not expect anything but high praise and votes of confidence when it comes to the reporting of crime. However you and I know the numbers do not lie, more so we live around the corner or across the street from that person who was robbed or killed over the weekend. Thus it is with great interest as I observe the continuing debate about urban renewal and community policing, how it deemed to be a success. As mentioned the numbers do not lie, so when we are told of the accomplishments of this initiative but see a different picture being painted, not only by the media, who daily report of crime and mayhem but the by the police themselves who have increased patrols and implemented other crime prevention initiatives.   But my serious doubts about the practicality and sustainability of this urban renewal programmed will be discussed at a later time.

Really I want to talk about the increases in gated communities, be they condominiums or private residential housing. Which might I mention is the result of what is happening or not happening in the communities of the Bahamas? We are now living in an electronic age where what happens in the back yard in Acklins can instantly be seen anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. Case in point the events and actions surrounding the missing boys in Grand Bahama, were broadcast all over the globe, just go to Google and see how many hits the story gets. However despite the fact of the various social ills we face as Bahamians, the foreign investor is prepared to live here under the right conditions. From Bimini Bay to Bakers Bay to what is being proposed in Mayaguana, we are seeing as the major investment characteristic the gated communities?  This is where the developer decides he wants the sand sea of the Bahamas without the people of the Bahamas. This statement may not be politically correct but it is the truth, why come to paradise and be exposed to crime, power failures and unreliable phone systems.  But the main reason why someone would want to live behind the gates of Old Fort Bay or The Ocean Club, I submit three reasons security, security, and security. Really there is no other reason than to have a peace of mind that cannot be achieved among the masses. With this in mind the developer of such a community must provide such a tight network of preventative measures. Without a doubt even it means in some instance distorting the obvious to appease the resident.  The resident themselves sometimes must wonder if they are not prisoners, imagine the need to announce your arrival departure, expected guest sounds like prison to me. But this is the price one must pay to feel safe.

The fundamental component here is access control, which cannot be limited, to entry and exit but also how one the resident or guest moves in and around the controlled area. Keep them out no matter what the cost is the underlying theme behind access control.   This is where the problem lies as the restrictions on movement in many regards become and annoyance to the authorized occupants. This is magnified by the fact that most residence of the community is wealthy and considered by themselves and society to be very important. A characteristic which is transferred to their employees, be they house staff or the contractor building their home. In comparison the security guard is most likely, not as influential in the community at large or wealthy. As a result in the efforts to create a secure environment the work of the security officers is hampered by the desires of the resident. But this the key selling point, '24 hour security', but are we really prepared to secured 24 hours seven days, sounds good but is it really good.

Can residents and their hired protection personnel reach an agreement about how much security is enough? This difficult indeed, as the failure to provide security event the perception thereof is sometimes just as vicious as providing it. Never the less enter the professional who knows his task, despite the unstable, wavering, inconsistencies of the masses. Based on solid loss prevention principals, not emotional illogic a plan can be implemented that can successfully protect the residents and the guards alike. Indeed an all encompassing plan that similar likeness must include everything from disaster preparedness, to fire and rescue to emergency medical services. Yes the security department of gated community must act as a full fledged police force and provide all the essential service required to keep the community safe and secure. In essence the professionals who are hired to man the protection operation must be respected as professionals.

About the author: Gamal Newry is the President of Preventative Measures, a Loss Prevention and Asset Protection Training and Consulting Company, specializing in Policy and Procedure Development, Business Security Reviews and Audits, & Emergency and Crisis Management. Comments can be sent to P.O. Box N-3154 Nassau, Bahamas or, email gnewry@preventativemeasures . net  or visit us at www.preventativemeasures.net


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Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
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