4 ms·

Internal and external burglar bars on all windows, and an outside perimeter fence. High walls on side and back, topped by barbed wire. Security gates on all doo

by buyx 12y ago

Internal and external burglar bars on all windows, and an outside perimeter fence. High walls on side and back, topped by barbed wire. Security gates on all doors. Burglar alarm linked to armed response, and outside perimeter beams. This is fairly standard in South Africa for standalone homes in decent areas. Much of this is to protect against home robberies (violent home invasions). Many people have internal gates separating sleeping areas from the rest of their homes, as well as CCTV and electric fences. If you live in a gated estate with security, you can afford to forgo some, but not all of these.

prawn 12y ago
Wow, that's pretty extreme. Is it nerve wracking living in an environment where that level of security feels necessary? I can imagine it would be stress-raising unless you were used to it? There'd be a low risk of minor burglary in my area, but the risk of anything violent would be almost nil. I lock the doors and cross my fingers.
- buyx 12y ago
  You get used to the stress, and the ubiquitous security, and you get on with your life. But you have to constantly be aware of new threats: a newish one that has hit a few people I know is "car jamming" where remote locks on cars are jammed and the contents are looted.
michaelt 12y ago
Here in the UK a perrenial problem with alarm response companies is despite taking your money, they often won't turn up until a few hours after the alarm has activated - if they turn up at all. So there's really not much point in paying for them. How do the companies in South Africa convince their customers they're worth paying for, and that they'll show up in a timely manner if the alarm goes off?
- buyx 12y ago
  It does happen that armed response companies are tardy, but the local papers usually make a big deal about it, especially if there was a house robbery (home invasion). Plus, since incidents do happen more often, presumably the security guards are more prepared and alert, and competition keeps them on their toes.

by buyx 12y ago

prawn 12y ago

Wow, that's pretty extreme. Is it nerve wracking living in an environment where that level of security feels necessary? I can imagine it would be stress-raising unless you were used to it? There'd be a low risk of minor burglary in my area, but the risk of anything violent would be almost nil. I lock the doors and cross my fingers.

buyx 12y ago
You get used to the stress, and the ubiquitous security, and you get on with your life. But you have to constantly be aware of new threats: a newish one that has hit a few people I know is "car jamming" where remote locks on cars are jammed and the contents are looted.

michaelt 12y ago

Here in the UK a perrenial problem with alarm response companies is despite taking your money, they often won't turn up until a few hours after the alarm has activated - if they turn up at all. So there's really not much point in paying for them. How do the companies in South Africa convince their customers they're worth paying for, and that they'll show up in a timely manner if the alarm goes off?

buyx 12y ago
It does happen that armed response companies are tardy, but the local papers usually make a big deal about it, especially if there was a house robbery (home invasion). Plus, since incidents do happen more often, presumably the security guards are more prepared and alert, and competition keeps them on their toes.