After spurt in thefts, safety and security in apartments under scanner

After a spate of recent thefts that were reported from an apartment in the posh Infocity area of Bhubaneswar, questions are being raised on the safety and security in these high-rise dwellings.  

Now, the role of security guards engaged by security agencies, and the efficacy of electronic surveillance systems in apartments are under scanner. 

No background or efficiency checks!

Many wonder if the security agencies are following SOPs while recruiting guards for apartments and paying heed to the expertise and reliability of the security guards. 

According to reports, on Monday night, thieves broke into four flats of Rajavatika Apartment in the Infocity area and decamped with articles, cash and valuables worth crores of rupees. Many dwellers of the apartment have lamented the lapses in the security arrangements. 

In certain cases, security guards and close acquaintances are found to be involved in theft cases. One problem that is being pointed out is that security agencies are engaging people as guards in the apartments without background scrutiny, efficiency and reliability checks.  

Manas Choudhry, owner of a security agency, observed, “Many people in Odisha have no idea about the duties of security guards and how they will be deployed. Guards are being deployed without their efficiency checks.”    

Beware of tenants, domestic helps, cooks and drivers 

In the past, apart from security guards, some domestic helps, cooks, and drivers, who are relied upon for their services, were found to be involved in crimes like murders in the apartments in Bhubaneswar. 

On February 19, 2012, a retired bank officer, Balaram Sahu was murdered in Khandagiri area by a mason and his assistant engaged by the victim for the construction of his house.  

On September 24, 2016, a couple living in Acharya Vihar was murdered by their tenant. On September 11, 2013, a security guard murdered a woman Chandan Sudha in the Rasulgarh area.  

Ramesh Bisoi, ACP of Bhubaneswar, admitted that such incidents are taking place due to a lack of proper security. “The rate at which apartment culture is spreading in Bhubaneswar, security aspects are not paid due attention. In cut-off areas, apartments are more vulnerable to such crimes. Records of entry and exit of persons into the apartment are not properly maintained. Taking advantage of this situation, miscreants commit such crimes,” he reasoned.

Subrat Nanda, secretary of Snehalata Apartment in Cuttack, said "CCTV cameras may have technical problems. But we have to give priority to security guards who need to be more vigilant.” 

To ward off such incidents, apartment dwellers are advised to pay heed to the aspects given below.

1.    Adequate number of CCTV cameras in and around the apartments. 
2.    Picking up security agencies which are registered by police 
3.    Proper criminal background check of security guards prior to appointment
4.    Agencies should recruit guards after examining their skills
5.    Obtaining details of security agencies from police
6.    Proper maintenance of records about the entry and exit of entrants
7.    Strangers should be kept at bay from apartments
8.    Proper cohesion and relation among residents