Robberies

My neighbourhood idiot, Jeff, is not happy. The story goes like this. Over the last few months, more and more residents have dropped out of the private security scheme - that is, they are no longer paying their dues. Of course, he residents are fed-up with all the failed projects that they had no say but had to pay for the damn thing. This included CCTV (which does not work) and closure of roads to the point it annoys everyone.

Jeff, as usual is going about his fear-mongering. He event went as far as to say that the guards will do nothing if they see a non-paying (non-participating) resident's house get rob/broken into. Jeff being Jeff, he only sells fear, condemning the non-paying residents. He never tells of the benefits of the paying residents.

Sadly, a good number of robberies happened. This unfortunately included paying residents. Let's get real. You think the bloody robbers will care if you pay for security or not? No. They do not care. If they see you as a target, they will rob you. Plain and simple.

Equally sad is to note that the community security scheme is failing a part, and as I have said years ago - it is ineffective.

Some facts about those who got rob as recent as 30 days ago:

• Appears to be committed by a gang of three or four men; driving a Alphard.
• One of the men (Malay / Indon looking) has a gun and handcuffs. He waves them around to imply he is a police officer (which is how he got into the gated community) - but never identifies himself as a police officer.
• One of the victims withdrew about RM 5000 from the bank earlier (many hours ago but within the same day). It appears that they do "tag" their victims.
• One victim was right next to the guard house. Guards did not know. I do not blame them.
• Waits for victims to leave the house for work in the morning or returns from work in the evening. Attacks when victim opens the main gate.
• In another case, victim goes out at night (about 8 to 9pm) to hang out / bring in the laundry. Robbers attacked and gains easy entry to the house.
• Most houses have walled fences (not the usual chain-linked). It is best to keep good visibility from the road to house. Privacy may be an issue but lets face it - how often do we have intimate moments in the garden?

It is at best troubling to have to blog about such things. Life must go on. We must stay on our guards and keep an eye out for each other. As I have stated, the above were robberies. Chances are, it is not random crime. They would have surveyed the place, look out for targets.

So, if we see anyone suspicious - inform the community, inform the guards, turn on more lights (show that we re-act) and yes - make a police report. Don't just bloody tell them - make a report. If the police stats begin to look bad, they will begin to act.