JUNE 18 — The rising number of gated and guarded (G&G) neighbourhoods springing up in old and new residential areas in Malaysia marks a shift in the changing security needs in the country. Newly built and wholly integrated townships have mostly included the G&G concept as part of their marketing and sales strategy. Potential buyers of such property usually pay an additional premium for the security systems which have now become fashionable for those who want peace of mind.

These newly built integrated townships usually have a 3-tier security system while some developers have even included a 7-tier security system in their developments. Such complex security systems have been claimed to be an added attraction to property buyers and are slowly becoming an essential feature in most landed and exclusive high-rise property developments.

Security has thus become a premium for most people who desire a peaceful night’s sleep in such comprehensive townships.

The rising sale of security systems that integrate alarm systems with CCTV monitoring is also a sign of the times that people are becoming conscious of the need to protect their homes and their families from potential harm. In addition, the sale of personal protection items, the hiring of security guards, the installation of makeshift boom gates, back lane gate fencing, the closure of residential roads, the growth of private security firms, and the creation of smartphone security applications all point to the need for additional security in such times when criminals are smarter and bolder in their acts.

Sadly, we are enjoying less freedom as we become obsessed with walling ourselves in and such acts of ‘self-enclosure’ would only ‘transfer’ crime to other parts of the neighbourhood without the issue being resolved.

In actual fact, such security systems/measures should complement the existing societal framework of a residential neighbourhood. The security measures are only as good as the people who run/use it and as people become more dependent on such systems, we become apathetic and communicate less with our neighbours as we are confident that the systems/measures implemented is sufficient to curb potential crime.

An over reliance on such security measures/systems could make residential communities becoming isolated and socially indifferent to one another.

Therefore, a social approach is much needed to help alleviate crime and ensure a revival of close neighbourhood relations.

An alternative and effective approach in curbing crime in a residential neighbourhood would be involvement of the residents in the crime prevention process itself. Community-based approaches such as Community Policing (CP) programme could complement the existing security measures/systems and provide a holistic approach in the crime-prevention approach that involve all stakeholders concerned (community, police, and security providers).

The CP initiative is an excellent voluntary community policing approach similar to the neighbourhood watch concept in the UK and the Rukun Tetangga night patrols of the 1970’s. The CP programme is a good example of a community-based approach where residents and the police work together to curb crime in the neighbourhood while meeting other residents from other parts of the neighbourhood.

This not only enriches the social interaction and integration of the neighbours but fosters a collective social unity and enhancing the sense of belonging and responsibility among the residents. Close co-operation with the police will foster a greater relationship between the community and the law enforcement agency thus enhancing the security networking of the community and the residents in general.

While it is emphasised that a system is only as good as the people who run it, community based approaches to neighbourhood crime prevention must ensure its sustainability, viability, and relevance by garnering the continuous support from residents and the police alike.

The collapse of community-based approaches have been all-too common with the residents being non-participative in the community patrols thus causing the programme to be obsolete and redundant. The reliance on the outsourcing of security and the establishment of G&G communities have also led to the demise of such community-based security patrols.

It must be stressed that community-based security policing is not meant to replace current private security systems/structures but both initiatives could work together to ensure a more effective, safe, and socially vibrant community exist in Malaysia’s soon-to-be fragmented residential communities.

* David C.E. Tneh David is a member of the CP of Section 17, PJ.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.