Monday 13 April 2009

3 Break Ins in 3 weeks - Pearl Garden Block C

I am opening up a new post for security measure topics here. As you all probably know, there were several break ins within a time span of weeks in Pearl Garden. Recently, 3 break ins at Block C and the management committee is seriously looking into matter. Countermeasures such as the installation of CCTV to boost up security will be discussed in the EGM this 25 April 2009. 

Please view the below comments and please participate in this issue as it involves all residents. Thank you.

40 comments:

  1. Transferred.

    Great about this blog.
    This is really inconsiderate as I'm a blog A resident too. There seems to be many inconsiderate people.

    Did anyone hear about break-in happened in Block C? I heard 2 units was broken into. Can we have some info? What is the progress on security?
    Sigh

    ReplyDelete
  2. Transferred. From Jimmy Leow

    Yes, inconsiderate and ruthless too. There was one time my wife saw a kid splitting from the 2nd floor to some passer-by below. I believe the kid was a visitor. We shouted at him and he run away.

    Break in at Block C? No, I have no idea but I will ask JMC if they have any news. And, yes, we need to push for better security measures. Please ask more residents to comment about this matter here. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Transferred. Jimmy Leow
    I just got some information from a committee member LT Yeoh indicating that there were 3 cases of break in within a time frame of 2 weeks. Luckily, no one was hurt.

    So far, the committee has questioned the security company but I think it is not enough. It seems in a few weeks time, the committee will discuss the approval of CCTV security system in which I believe can at least deter such happenings. And moreover, the CCTV security system was discussed way back in 2008 and until now there is still no action.

    How many more break ins before the committee gives the go ahead to install the CCTV and enhance the security system? Pearl Garden Committee, please remember such break ins may happen to your unit or worst still your family may be hurt too.

    So, as a resident I would like to express my concerns over the recent break ins. I believe the other residents here will feel the same way too. I therefore request immediate action without delay.

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  4. Transferred. KS Gan
    Yeoh / Leow,

    We may want to educate our resident to call management office for any cleaning work or maintenance support they need. We have 1 full time handy man to carry out the work and need to request through management office by phone or hard written request. As much as possible we like resident to feel their needs have been attended too timely. Unlike previous they need to escalated to committee to get thing done.

    I also notice the same lift having finger print mark on the door.

    KS Gan

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  5. Transferred. LT Yeoh
    Jimmy,

    FYI. The dome camera in the lift is just a dummy. Anyway, there is no recorded camera in PG presently. Will get cleaner to remove the chewing gum.

    LT

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  6. Transferred. Jimmy Leow

    Gan,

    That's for sure as we are not the only ones living here and to add on to this, the cleaners and workers of Pearl Garden should also
    highlight such issues and clear up the mess without the residents complains. I am sure they do their rounds and probably noticed the problems, but just ignore them.

    By the way, any conclusion to the enhancement of security measures to eliminate break ins? Hope to get your input on this matter.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Transferred. KS Gan

    Jimmy,

    We are calling EGM on April-25 to get the approval from residents for ~RM150K CCTV security system and guard house expansion.

    The expansion is needed to house CCTV and also waiting bay for children waiting for school bus.

    For immediate action, 1 security guard each will station at Block A and Block C effective April-13. I have not checked if this is done.

    Gan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Transferred from email.

    Leow,

    Yes. EGM need to attend by all residents with enough quorums (at least 50%. Need to confirm the figure). If there is not enough quorum, then we need to postpone the meeting to following week, same time and place. 2nd meeting call do not need quorum.

    Forgot to inform you that the EGM notice will be sent the residents within this few days. We need 14 days notice before EGM can be called.

    Regards,
    KS Gan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jimmy, One correction needed. 3 security incidents & not 3 break-ins. It should be 2 break-ins and 1 motor cycle theft. LT

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anyone has any more information about the break in? Did it happen in the morning, afternoon or night? Did the burglars come in by breaking the front door lock?

    Any information will be useful to help us residents improve our own security.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi,

    We heard from a cleaner that one break in was at the 1st floor via the verandah. But I will check with the committee if they have any information. Will keep you updated.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  12. Transferred from email.

    Jimmy,

    I need to find out too. Traditionally, the break-in is via the front door by cutting the "ears" of pad lock. Many residents actually used a type of lock that don't hook thru the "ears".

    LT

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  13. Sorry for the ignorance, but which part of the apartment is the verandah?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well, the verandah is where the railing is, it is usually where we dry our clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Transferred.

    Jimmy, CCTV Security details are up in notice boards. Please inform those who posted comments in this topic.

    LT

    ReplyDelete
  16. Would the new CCTV allow for home owners in PG to view whats the CCTV is streaming? Currently I found that if we tune our TV reception, there is a CCTV channel and a few of the channel the CCTV is already not functioning. Does the new CCTV vendor comes with a support agreement and warranty? Thanks and this is really frigthening news as a new family that just move to PG

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi resident,

    Thanks for the comments, I have forwarded them to the committee and they will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  18. The current CCTV system is outdated and very limited in capabilities. The new system will have much greater scope, capabilities, and of course will come with warranty. The control system will be in Office and Guard Post. No streaming to individual home is currently planned.

    ReplyDelete
  19. By the way, the above reply is from Mr. Kam and I believe he has been working on this project for quite awhile now.

    If streaming is able, then it would be a plus point. And if we can log in via the internet to watch them would be superb. Anyway, everything comes with a cost. I guess, the most important now is to get a good security CCTV to eliminate break ins.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi guys,

    Sorry, his name is Mr.Lee Kam Heng, not Mr. Kam. Sorry for the mistake.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, It is not a good idea to allow access from every residents. Imagine the added tool if the crook is insider? It is be a watch out tool for them too! Also, do you want the crooks to know where we place all the cctv? They will just interupt the cctv b4 doing their business! LT

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Jimmy:

    Would like to highlight on keeping pet in Pearl Garden.
    Is it permitted?
    Some are rather big dog that need space to move around.
    Generally we tolerate.
    But, often when they bring their dog to do the 'business', they didn't clear the 'shit'
    They should bring the plastic bag, clear the 'shit' and throw inside the dusbin.
    Could management highlight this on the notice board?

    Thanks a lot

    RW

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi,

    Yes, you are right. Too much access will allow the crooks to plan their business.

    This morning, the CCTV meeting was postponed due to lack of participants. The same meeting will be held next week, same day and time. As everyone know, this security issue belongs to everyone here. I hope all residents can come and show support next week.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi RW,

    Thanks for the feedback. I will open up a new post on this issue.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, I would like to comment on the residents access to the cctv viewing. My opinion is that if the viewing can be make access to all residents then there are more eyes to monitor on what happening in our surroundings rather than depends on the gaurds on duty.It should be a PLUS point.
    I wonder why there are no plan in installing cameras along the fence with army camp?

    rgds
    Lim

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Lim,

    Thanks for the comment. Lets hear what the Management Committee thinks about this.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  27. it is unlikely for resident to tune in to CCTV camera streaming all the time unless they want to see a visitor. The risk of some insider thief leveraging the CCTV is much greater than the potential beneft of additional pairs of eyes. As to why army camp fencing line is not monitored, it was thought that the fencing was rather tall, and unlikely for intruder to come in that way. We are already ~40 cameras. If the residents feel strongly about it, we can consider. Please do come to EGM to provide yr suggestions. Thanks, Lee Kam Heng

    ReplyDelete
  28. i heard another break-in yesterday (30th Apr). The culprit is still here!!! The police is doing nothing about this. i think this is the work of a few people...don't think the CCTV will be effective against them. logically they are outsiders who rented a place here..so one way to catch them is to interview every household and take down particulars for those who rented here. I believe we will get some clue from there...Eric

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  29. Eric,

    Another break in yesterday???? Can you tell me which unit and which block?

    Looks like you may be right about the "stay in burglar". I have informed the management committee to respond to your comments. And I think if anyone has any better idea, please suggest. We as the residents have to do something to stop this.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mr. Gan, Yeoh and Lee,

    If this is true about the break in yesterday, I want to know what further steps are taken to stop these frequent break ins until we have the CCTV system. Your kind reply is very much appreciated.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yes, there was break in on 30th April, Block A level 10. This is very scary, i heard the owner just left for around 2 hours only, like that also can? seems they aware of the tenant in and out. Is the security guard here safe enough??? Is there possibility the security guard here involve with the break in too? sometimes they work with the culprit because they understand the tenant's in and out...seems lot of break in nowadays....

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Ed,

    Yes, there is always that possibility. I am doubting the effectiveness of the guard located at the lobby. Are they doing their rounds at every level, or are they just sitting down writing notes? Anyway, we cannot rely on the guards, but ourselves, by re-enforcing the doors and locks.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jimmy & the rest,

    Sorry I can't confirm the new case as I got to check it out. On the various suggestions from concerned residents, I can only say that there are plenty to be done. We need to overhaul the whole security control procedure. The 1st step being the cctv system which we just approved at this morning's EGM. We also need to put in place some By-Laws to govern the security process. Today, there are many enforcement issues. We can simply check on all residents as suggested by some as the MC does not have that legal power. Gan & myself spoke to GE Tan's mgr this morning and instructed them to implement SOP in all areas but it will take time. It is better for concern residents to come forward and help and not pass comments. We have residents who simply violates our security rules on car entry, parkings ... and many other grand father grand mother excuses trying to bring in their car even when they have no parking lot for it. I spend a lot of my time going after our security officers to enforce control to the extend that people came to my unit and wanted to fight with me. If anyone think he/she can do a better job, he is most welcome to come forward. LT

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  34. Hi Yeoh,

    Very true in deed. Complains will not solve the current problems, but cooperation among residents, GE Tan and MC will definitely bring us closer to reaching the objectives. If I may say, there is a lot of time spend voluntarily by MC members to get things going and we should help rather than criticize.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  35. Is the most recent break-in at Block A, level 10, thru the front gate as well? I've secured my front gate better due to the recent break ins, but I normally leave my verandah door open as I stay on the 5th floor, and I don't except the burglar to come in thru there. Any thoughts if this is safe?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi,

    If you noticed the pattern of the break ins, most of them are corner lots. Reinforcing the front door will be wise because that is the final barrier.

    At 5th floor, the burglar will not dare risk his life, but you can never know. If you are going out, you might as well latch the sliding door.

    Jimmy

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  37. I would suggest to do an assessment on the possibility of revamping the current fencing around Pearl Garden. I feel the current fencing is too weak. May be a concrete fence around Pear Garden will help to minimize another possibility of outsider performing the 'dirty job'.
    Thanks for the sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Until now to what I get from the feedback in this blog and in the CCTV meeting, there seems to me that NOBODY KNOWS HOW the burglar(s) actually got into the units ( through the verandah? through cutting off the lock ears? through the intermediate units' dinning windows? how the burglars got through the main doors?are those units concern intermediate or corner units?) No firm info is given. ALL information given is hear said.
    Can someone do a actual interview with all the units concerned so that we can establish the cause(S) and take actions.
    Without knowing the cause(s), any actions taken may only get beating around the bush, may not be effective.

    Lim

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Lim,

    Very true. LT Yeoh was just discussing with me about interviewing the victims and to understand how the break in was done. I think LT's suggestion is good. LT is trying to get the permission from the latest victim. Once ok, we will get into the action.

    By the way, can you let me know your email address so that we can contact you via email?

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  40. my address: blessyou123@yahoo.com.sg

    Lim

    ReplyDelete