Secutiry Update as of Jan 16, 2009

Happy New Year to everyone.

We're now well into 2009. Since the 24/7 guard services started, I can feel that our neighborhood is much safer than before. There are much less incidents reported. That's exactly what we want to achieve. The most severe incidents reported were two attempted burglary, both along road 32. Fortunately the burglars were not successful. Most of the other incidents are minor and some of the domestic types. I've not heard of any snatching incidents or car jacking. I hope those will never happen here again. And a big thank you to all of you who have written in giving suggestions on improvements and observations on the attentiveness of the guards. We will try to incorporate your suggestions where possible.

I'm happy to report that as of today we have 535 residents who have signed up for our security scheme. There's 690 occupied homes in our zone, so yes, there's still quite a number out there who have not signed up for whatever reasons. We hope that they will change their mind and contribute to the success of this scheme. If you know of your neighbors who have not signed up (no green tag on their gates) please help us by convincing them to sign up too. This scheme benefits everyone living here.

Many of us are now getting ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I'm sure many of our neighbors will be going back to their kampung to be with love ones. It's assuring to know that our homes are much safer today than in the past. However, as a precaution, starting from 15 January to 14 February, for this one month period we have increased the number of security guards to 4 guards per shift, i.e. total of 12 guards to keep watch on our homes when we are away. They have been briefed to be even more attentive, suspicious and cautious with all vehicles going into our neighborhood, especially those claiming to visit friends or relatives.

If you are going to be away, I suggest you make use of Homeguards Tiger Eye service. Please call the Homeguards Call Center (03 3373 3994) and inform them of the dates that you will be away. The guards when they are on their patrol will stop by your house to check for any signs of intrusion. If they spot something amiss, they will call you right away to report it. Each time after they check on your house, they will drop a note into your mailbox to inform of the date and time they stopped by to check on your house. Also, if there are so called "visitors" who claims that they are there to visit you during the period you are gone, they will not be allowed into the neighborhood. This service is complimentary from Homeguards for us.

For those of you who will be holding parties in your house, please inform the guards of the date and time of your party so that your guest will not be inconvenient at the guard post. The guards can also direct them to your house.

Over the next few weeks, i.e. after CNY, we will be closing up permanently the entrance at road 33, currently with oil drums. We will put up a 9ft high fence to stop all from using it. However, during emergency the gates can be opened by the guards to allow for entry and exit. We will also erect a 9ft high fence at the back lane of road 31, i.e. after the houses of the two detractors. With that done, our neighborhood will be even more secure.

We are still awaiting TNB's approval to connect permanent electricity to the two guard post. We are currently depending on the very kind generosity of the two residents who have temporary allowed us to tap electricity from their house. A big thank you to Mr Lu (road 35) and Mr Lim (road 32) for their cooperation and generosity. It is truly appreciated.

Once the electricity is in place we will install electronic boomgates to the two post, starting with road 35 first. We are still trying to figure out the best compromise on how to erect boomgates for road 31. That is a bigger challenge and will need the cooperation of the residents living around road 31, 32 and 34. There will be inconveniences but I hope they will be willing to compromise and accept it.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all our Chinese friends Gung Xi Fa Cai, Nien Nien Yo Yi, Wan Xi Ru Yi!

And to all other friends Happy Holidays!