Earlier this year I got involved with the local security contract that looks after our enclosed secure area. What was obvious was what we were paying was over the top for the service provided. The main issue was certain residents were not paying the monthly service fee and the community was now in debt. I had to find alternative cheaper solutions if they were available. This is needed as over most weekends we hear the gunshots echoing through the valley.
After getting a whole list of quotes it was not looking good because the service we were paying was the cheapest on the list. We also had cameras which we had not included so the long term solution was rather obvious. We either had to run this security company ourselves or help someone start their own business.
One of the guards has literally not missed a day in the last 5 years and everyone knows him by name. It was actually quite funny
because during our monthly meet ups it turned out many residents were giving him extra money each month so he would stay. He was making a small fortune and it is no wonder he never missed a day.
The decision we made and it kicked into gear this month is Edward the guard now has his own security company and is responsible for the main gate guarding. The community has purchased the cameras which you can see the screen shots and we receive these updates daily with a report of any or no activity.
The outstanding debt owed to the last security company has been paid off and Edward is now his own boss doing the day shift with another crew doing the night shift.
The change is good and already we have blocked access to certain individuals saying they were representing the electricity supplier. If there is no booking then there is no access and when we contacted the houses they were supposed to be visiting they were unaware of anyone coming.
Spiderman the thief that steals whatever he can and that includes clothes off the washing line has not been seen again. I have a suspicion I know who it is and believe he is a homeless vagrant I recall from a few years ago. He used to hang around the petrol station that is less than 2km away and when out driving in the area I have my eyes peeled to see if I can spot him.
Having this secure zone is more than just having the extra security, but this adds value to all the properties by as much as 35%. This is a major selling point in our crime ridden country and why it had to remain in some form or other. Most of the houses are finally onboard paying monthly ($30) and think there is only a couple of non payers currently. Mind boggling that people refuse to pay $30 when it adds so much value to their property.
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