“Remember one thing,” Moumita told her husband Sujoy, “Safety and security are paramount in a gated community.”
The family has been looking to buy an apartment in Kolkata.
In light of the somewhat scary stream of news in the media about the dwindling security environment in Kolkata, her concerns are to the point.
Sujoy and Moumita have a seven-year-old daughter and Sujoy’s old parents to care for.
No wonder, Moumita considers the security of her family members a high priority.
Moumita is not alone. Kolkata residents are now prioritizing safety above other amenities while buying a flat in the city, and for good reason.
We will discuss the potential safety lacunae and measures you should check while buying an apartment in Kolkata.
Keep reading.
Common Security Concerns
Undoubtedly, the security environment inside a gated community is far superior to a standalone building with bare minimum security arrangements.
However, you should inspect the safety situation in a housing complex and never assume anything.
Crimes
Chances of theft and burglary are minimal in apartment complexes. Elaborate security arrangements ensure that suspicious characters are not allowed inside the complex.
However, standalone buildings often lack elaborate security arrangements and you need to be far more watchful in such a building.
Common area safety
A gated community is a large area and usually the whole area is monitored with comprehensive security arrangements. This gives a feeling of safety to all residents.
Generally, all the entrants in a gated community are properly monitored. In a large complex with several buildings, each entrant (especially e-commerce delivery guys, labourers, etc.) needs permission to enter individual buildings even after entering the complex.
Security in Gated Communities
Residential complexes can also suffer from various security risks although they are much less these days. We will discuss some of the common security risks and how they are managed in gated communities.
Emergency response
Emergency response in a gated community is usually fast as there is a dedicated security team managing all facilities.
Access points
Loitering and trespassing are ubiquitous issues in standalone apartments. Uninvited visitors can enter such buildings and commit crimes like theft, vandalism, and assault.
The good thing is that housing complexes are walled and you can enter only through specified entry points.
All entry points are manned in gated communities.
Enhanced communication
There is a need for clear communication between residents, security staff, and property managers.
Nowadays, communities communicate through facility management apps and all the stakeholders are on the same page with all the relevant information in real-time.
Security system vulnerabilities
Security systems like CCTV cameras, alarms, and electronic surveillance systems are prone to breakdowns and can be easily tampered with. Professional facility management teams generally repair the systems quickly in such cases.
Safety Measures in Gated Communities
As we can see, there is hardly any chance of safety violations in a gated community. Children and the aged are particularly safe inside a residential complex.
Before you buy an apartment in a residential complex, please inspect the security arrangements in great detail.
Let’s discuss some security measures by which a gated community can feel safe.
Security guards: Experienced and trained security personnel can be hired to patrol the community. Nowadays, security agencies provide personnel with their antecedents checked.
Visitor logs: A log is usually kept at the gate to record visitors, their addresses, phone numbers, and entry and exit times. Non-residents can be allowed inside only after they identify themselves with valid photo-identity proofs.
Lighting: Good quality lighting can improve visibility.
Response centre: A central location or phone number is often established for reporting crimes and suspicious activity.
Access control systems: These systems include automatic gate access control, key fob access, or biometric access control. Biometric access control uses unique identifiers like fingerprints or facial recognition to grant access.
Security cameras: Gate entry systems with built-in security cameras help monitor the community.
Video gate intercoms: These provide extra protection and convenience for tenants. Security personnel can only allow visitors who are permitted by the residents.
Alarm systems: Outdoor and indoor security sensors and control panels detect intruders in real-time.
Photobeam sensors: These are installed on the perimeter fence to trigger an alarm when someone climbs it.
Fencing around dangerous areas: It is a good idea to fence the waterbodies to prevent children from accidentally getting into the water. The safety of residents is of serious concern in a gated community and they should take sufficient actions to ensure that. As a homebuyer (and a resident) you should regularly check if all the security arrangements are working properly.
