Johannesburg townhouse residents are being warned not to become the weakest link in the security chain. This advice comes from Gauteng´s largest security company, ADT Security, after noticing that complacent residents could unwittingly jeopardise the security of their complex.

“You move into a secure townhouse complex for peace of mind,” says Roy Rawlins, Managing Director of ADT Johannesburg. “People don´t realise there is more to security than living behind high walls, electric fencing and electronic gates with remote control access.”

Rawlins proceeded to say that members of the public should always remember to take basic precautions to help keep their homes safe and secure, as opportunistic crime will always be a problem within the community. “Criminals thrive on easy targets. The opportunistic criminal will walk past a house, see a door open and casually stroll in, targeting small but valuable items.”

He went on to say that much crime could be averted through good old-fashioned neighbourliness where everyone in the community looks out for one another.

Criminals have been known to use a number of techniques to gain access to complexes and steal. Rawlins outlined some examples of how security measures have been breached and gave some tips on how to prevent this from happening:

• A resident buzzes someone in at the gate without checking who they are or what they want. Always confirm who the visitor is.
• A resident´s “friend” is given the gate code to enter and exit the complex at will. All secure codes should be treated as confidential.
• A resident uses a brick to keep a side gate ajar as the intercom is broken and visitors are expected. Ensure that security related systems are in good working order.
• The would-be intruder steals a remote control for the gate. Always keep remote controls in secure places.
• The intruder sneaks in the gate when residents don´t wait for it to shut before driving off. Be alert at all times and wait for gates to close before driving off
• The intruder could reside inside the complex. Alert neighbours are important!

Another possibility is that, although the front of a townhouse complex is secure, the other perimeter walls might not be so well protected.

“Electric fences are a great deterrent but if vegetation grows and touches it, the alarm will go off,” Rawlins adds. “After the security manager investigates three or four times and can´t find out why it is happening, the system might be switched off completely leaving the whole complex vulnerable.”

Targeting electric fences seems to be the latest method that brazen thieves are using to gain perimeter access. It is believed that various other techniques are used to establish whether a resident is home or not, including ringing the door bell in early hours of the morning.

He warned that thieves were always waiting and watching for easy targets and normal security precautions should always be taken, such as activating the unit´s alarm if you are going out or to bed and remembering to close all windows. It is important to fully understand the workings of your alarm system and what it can do.

“The idea is to keep the thieves out,” he said. “If they get into the complex, they can easily move from one unit to the other.”

When electric fencing is installed, the frame carrying the strands should be angled away from the protected area. If the strands are upright, thieves may be able to throw a heavy duty blanket over the wires and scramble across. Special attention should be given to the corners of secured walls as this could be a weak security spot.

Rawlins believes that security should be an issue at the top of every Body Corporate´s agenda.

“Written security rules and procedures should be in place and if security in the complex is compromised, everyone should be told,” he said. “Residents who don´t hear of incidents become complacent about security and may take chances that affect everyone. It only takes one person with a lax attitude to jeopardise the security of an entire complex.”

He encourages residents to take up any concerns with their Body Corporate if they see neighbours taking risks, such as allowing strange cars or trucks to follow them through the electric gates.