Gated communities and security systems

Gated communities have been a popular choice among Indians for reasons more than one. From facilities provided to the sense of security that these societies give the residents, such complexes have it all. More Indians today than ever choose to become nuclear families and move into gated communities to ensure the safety of their children.
However, since the shocking incident of rape of a minor girl in a Chennai apartment complex last year, the safety of such communities is being questioned by everyone, including the residents themselves. The safety concerns arise from the fact that most residents are unaware of who is entering and leaving the society premises. Moreover, the staff (security guards, plumbers, etc.) in these complexes are contract-based and change from year to year. Together these factors give rise to the question:

Are children and adults, alike, safe in gated communities?

Housing societies across India have decided to answer the question above themselves through the installation of various security technologies. While some have pooled in money to install CCTV cameras in and around their complex, some others have invested in biometrics to ensure the safety of the residents. One such housing society is Savita Enclave at Mira Road, Mumbai.

Savita Enclave can be considered as a pioneer among the housing societies in Mumbai as far as security measures are concerned. The complex implemented CCTVS, biometric system, and grill front doors in all of its apartments in as early as 2011. With an all-inclusive expenditure of over INR 2 Lakhs, the housing society has ensured that no one other than the residents enters the premises. Their support staff and outsiders will need to use the intercom system.

Read more about Savita Enclave’s initiatives here.

At CommonFloor, we continue from where Savita Enclave other such communities stopped. Our application ‘SmartGuard’ by CommonFloor Groups allows the members of the housing societies to form a close-knit community all interconnected in a single app. With features like event calendars, polls, online notices, and many more, residents can collaborate efficiently and effectively. Moreover, online visitor management becomes hassle free and a fool-proof practice with the SmartGuard mobile app. The application enables tracking all visitors (guests, staffs, and vendors) entering the premises through instant online reports.

Summary

Safety and security is a priority irrespective of the type of household or residential area. Gated communities give out the illusion of protection through the presence of guard and a visitor’s logbook. However, with the rising crime rates in the nation, security technology is the best bet we have to ensure the safety of the residents.