I am not sure if everyone agrees, but it does appear that the guards are more diligent lately. I am certaily happy about this.

I understand that the committee members and line leaders have had a meeting and may have had some role in this.

I do take note that they have put traffic cones at the entry point so as to be able to question any entry of vehicles by ppl not known to them. Personally, I would feel better if we had something more secure than just cones, but I do know there many factors to be considered before one implements such measures.

I guess we will have, as we had exprienced in the past, those who do not agree to it and those who are cautious that such barricades (if you can call the cones that) or even boom gates are allowed or not under law. Whatever it is, I for one feel that it is certainly a welcome option. As previously mentioned by many others, nothing is fully 100 crime proof, but every crime deterrent is plus point in my book.

Even in our past postings on this website (such as on 28 January 2007, 23 February 2007, 9 April 2007, and on 8 June 2007), we have deliberated and discussed on the matter with no real conclusion.

Interesting enough, I stumbled upon another article on security issues in neighbouring areas in the NST today but since I can seem to attach a pdf version of the article (I wonder why?), I will cut and paste below. have a read ... nothing conclusive though.

Peace of mind comes at a price
Halim Said

PETALING JAYA: Concerned over rising crime rates, residents of many housing estates
are taking security into their own hands and installing security gates and hiring guards
to patrol the streets.

But it does not come cheap, and the worse part is they are actually breaking the law. Under the Street, Drainage and Building Act they are not allowed to obstruct public roads.

And for the moment, the authorities are allowing the gates to remain while councils and state
government discuss whether or not to legalise the gated community system.

Bandar Sri Damansara residents association paid about RM15,000 for boom gates and to hire
security six years ago.

Association president Ravindran Raman Kutty said: "Residents have to pay about RM50
a month. The problem is that not all are paying for the security coverage. If everyone
paid we could reduce the charge to RM30."

He said the housing estate, with a population of 60,000, is divided into two sectors.
Those in the higher density areas pay less.

"Some residents have their own private security guards as well," he said.
He said MBPJ has issued a notice to remove the boom gates, "but the ruling is not being
enforced yet because our local assemblyman and MPs are looking at the situation. We
hope MBPJ will introduce by-laws on the gated community system soon."
Bandar Utama residents' association chairman Datuk Manpal Singh said about
RM50,000 was spent to install 15 boom gates. A close-circuit television system was also
been set up. Residents pay about RM40 a month.

"We do not want to be a gated community, but this is the only way we can deal with
the increase in crime. The system is not foolproof, but it acts as a filter," he said.
PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council is looking at the feasibility
of setting up a gated community system in non-gated neighbourhoods.
The council needs to discuss the technicalities with the newly appointed councillors, he
said.

He and Subang Jaya council president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan said the issue of gated
communities had been discussed at the state level, and the councils were awaiting
further instructions. "For the time being we will allow the gates to remain," Mohd
Roslan said.

Nine areas in USJ have adopted the gated community system. Residents' association
president P.C. Yeoh said the ranges from RM30 to RM100 a month depending on the
area. He said the Municipal Council issued guidelines on the system. "At least 80 per
cent of the residents have to agree." Adnan said: "We will see in the next two to three
months what the state government decides."

__________________________