ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 08
Financial Times  

Challenges in condominium living

The outlook of these residential complexes is seemingly attractive – beginning with captivating TV adverts and scenic hoardings that promise luxury features like roof top swimming pools and value added service features such as personalized waste management support. 24 hour security is yet another feature that is a salient selling point – but, how secure is that security still remains more a question than a reliable solution.
“Every time I come home at night after my airline work, it is my driver who wakes up the sleeping security officer. That is to open the gate of the complex to drive my car in. If a seasoned criminal decides to scale over the wall into the complex – he is intruding without being challenged - as the security officer is just an ornamental statue at that moment in time”. This is how a resident raised his logical concern – for him and for other residents. “Of course the gate will still remain tightly closed,” he grins with biting sarcasm.

By Damith Kurunduhewa

“Higher the rise – Greater the fall” is a law of nature that was simplified and taught to us in school. Even before the great Sir Isaac Newton scientifically tagged the reason for falling as “Gravity”; it still was a natural effect that virtually applies to everything in life and material. In the arena of protection, the residential compounds are no exception – be it a high rise condominium or a lateral housing complex.

The outlook of these residential complexes is seemingly attractive – beginning with captivating TV adverts and scenic hoardings that promise luxury features like roof top swimming pools and value added service features such as personalized waste management support. 24 hour security is yet another feature that is a salient selling point – but, how secure is that security still remains more a question than a reliable solution.

“Every time I come home at night after my airline work, it is my driver who wakes up the sleeping security officer. That is to open the gate of the complex to drive my car in. If a seasoned criminal decides to scale over the wall into the complex – he is intruding without being challenged - as the security officer is just an ornamental statue at that moment in time”. This is how a resident raised his logical concern – for him and for other residents. “Of course the gate will still remain tightly closed,” he grins with biting sarcasm.

Buyer risk factor
The primary security risk in residential complexes rests on the BUYER factor. The apartment purchaser can be a disguised terrorist agent or criminal agent who performs an Oscar winning cosmetic act (of innocence and genuineness) at the time of negotiating the purchase.

The risk then connects from condominium security into the national security bracket as well.
Without the knowledge of residents, a safe house could secretly be functioned within, as an URBAN COMMAND CENTRE to commit a range of terrifying activities with relative ease – taking advantage of upscale social curtains - sheltering from routine and clandestine law enforcement checks in the area.

Occupancy risk factor
The original purchaser could genuinely be investing in apartments for wealth boosting purposes. When he eventually rents out or re-sells it to a third party occupant - that is a time of BETTER AND SAFER opportunity for a discreet front element of terrorists or organized criminals such as drug traffickers.
Yet, the popular concept projection – 24 hours security - is seen around, but often only as a superficial consolation - than a purpose driven mechanism that grasps greater threats by deep penetrating beyond daily security trivia.
A (senseless) police raid into a military safe house in a residential complex made deserving uproars some time back. Residents never knew the existence of a combat safe house – third party occupancy - within the complex until it was exposed. The danger in here is that the terrorists could design a better evolved “short term methodology” to cause maximum destruction in the city – by secretly operating from a protected mini community. (That is, if they haven’t already penetrated!!!)

Domestic risk factor
Deployment of domestic servants, pool attendants, landscapers and drivers etc are another core threat avenue. It can either be a national security risk where a camouflaged terrorist is housed in - or a residential security risk where a tempted criminal who is into “phase up stealing” within the complex – hiding behind a domestic servant or family driver ID.
Sheltering of domestic servants sacked by a household on grounds of CRIMINAL DISHONESTY - by another home in the same complex is an embarrassing risk some residents embrace blindly - at the expense of safety of every resident in that exclusively designed community. It is a selfish and short sighted violation of protective rights of all. In fact, it travels further than rights. It is a question of values and senses.
The more affluent is the complex; the more risky it is in terms of family protection – the safety of the principal occupant, spouse and kids.
The family data protection faces a greater challenge, by which the terrorists or criminals track the favourite life habits of each occupant with spot on timings. The pre - kidnap data sourcing criminals do concentrate on this element extensively.

Visitor risk factor
Visitor management into the complex is another burning concern for the simple reason that the residents have little or no control over the visitors of another resident.
It becomes more serious during residential functions where numerous strangers and service supporters get virtually free access on a mere verbal assurance to the complex security by an appealing resident.
The tragic murder of a promising young girl by her (permitted) visitor companion within a secured residential complex in Colombo about two years ago is a vivid testimony for us to realize the gravity in this risk dimension.

Parking risk factor
The recent 1000 plus kilos devastating vehicle bomb attempts by terrorists – though averted – still remains a frightening potentiality of future combat.
Condominium basements or lateral premises provide ideal hiding grounds for launching such colossal disasters – and they perhaps only need the (willing or grudging) support of just a SINGLE house occupant or a driver. Destruction caused by an “accidental” mega explosion within the complex – obviously – is way out of ordinary imagination.

Fire risk factor
Let us focus on the threat to life and assets in the event of a fire at home. And also the volcano burst-like emotional panic and trauma - erupting with roaring flames of fire. On any scale of measurement, it is damaging. The potential catchment area of a condominium or lateral complex fire is far greater than a single house fire. The fire containing equipment, the fire safety awareness and the response preparation – by all concerned – needs a concerted and conscious effort. What exactly is your planned response, if your apartment catches fire tonight while you and your family are fast asleep? How did it mean to you when the developer promised 24-hour security?

From voice to motion
The width of the residential risk umbrella does not end here. Yet, it often is best to tackle the tough ones first, while still they are manageable – before investing our time, energy and effort for secondary layers such as drowning risk in swimming pools.
As a saying goes “It is an immutable law in business that words are words. Explanations are explanations. Promises are promises. Yet, only performance is reality”.
It’s time that condominium developers and management forums leap beyond illusionary explanations and hollow promises - and begin to actually PERFORM safety, security and holistic protection.
Email - solutions@sltnet.lk

 

 

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Copyright 2007 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.