SS2 C1 Utara folk set up gated and guarded scheme

SS2 Utara folk set up gated and guarded scheme
By CHRISTINA LOW (From the Star Nov 20th 2009)

ANOTHER gated and guarded community has been set up over the weekend in SS2, Petaling Jaya.

Residents of SS2 Utara (C1) who worry about the increasing number of break-ins and snatch thefts, have come up with their own security programme, hoping to give the occupants of some 270 homes in the sector a good night’s sleep.

Like their neighbours in SS2 Utara (B), they have also resorted to blocking backlanes and certain access roads with barriers.

Some were cordoned off at all times of the day, while others would be closed from 11pm to 6am the following day using plastic barriers and no-entry signs so that vehicles could not enter the area.

However, those living outside SS2 Utara (C1) who use these access roads to escape the jam as well as a shortcut to their housing area were not happy with the move.

According to SS2 Utara (C1) Residents Association chairman Mohd Ghauth Ghani, they had to take measures to prevent crime in the area.

“Certain roads have to be closed and most of the residents have agreed to it,” said Mohd Ghauth who had 86% support from the SS2 Utara (C1) residents for the closure.

Mohd Ghauth said the roads that would be closed temporarily at night were SS2/78, SS2/77, SS2/74 and SS2/91.

During the launch of the programme, residents wanted to know if they could proceed by closing certain roads and their question was promptly answered by MBPJ enforcement assistant director Tun Mohd Izliham Bahardin.

“Roads used by the public can only be closed by the police or the Road Transport Department (JPJ), even MBPJ cannot do such a thing.

“If we close one side of the road, it may block the access of personnel from the fire department and we (MBPJ) will be blamed for allowing such access roads to be closed,” said Mohd Izliham.

He said residents who wished to set up security programmes should ensure that they followed the guidelines set by the state’s Housing and Property Board.

According to one of the guidelines, it mentioned that boom gates are allowed to be closed only from midnight to 6am daily while security guards do not have the right to stop a vehicle from going into an area.

Besides that, 80% of residents must also give their consent to the setting up of a gated and guarded community.

“We have no problems working with residents and hope that they send in their application for such programmes so that we know of its existence.

“Their applications will also be looked into by the engineering and enforcement department,” said Mohd Izliham.