Builders Jamaica December - March 2022

safety & security
Improving Residential Security
The Right Personnel for the Job
If you live in or have visited someone who lives in
an apartment complex or gated community, you’re
no doubt used to the presence of the security
guards who monitor the property to help ensure the
safety of residents. Lobby and front gate security
personnel primarily screen visitors to ensure they
have legitimate reasons to be on the property before
granting access, and there are often other guards
on patrol. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much the
extent of their jobs and their power as they generally
don’t have the authority to make arrests when they
do apprehend someone with nefarious intentions.
Despite this limitation, it’s still a best practice for real
estate developers to factor security personnel into
their safety plans when they’re creating communities.
Lobby guards/Doormen
These personnel monitor the coming and going of
residents and visitors alike. They’re best suited for a
single block of apartments, although a front gate security
office would serve a similar purpose for complexes that
are more spread out. As advised by the National Council
for Home Safety and Security (NCHSS) in the U.S., a
doorman “should have absolute control of all access to
a building or group of clustered buildings, including the
main door at which he is stationed, rear or fire exits, and
any garage or service entrances.” This means he should
be able to view each point of entry directly and have
the appropriate electronic systems to open and close
these doors as necessary--for example, “buzzing in” a
known resident or keeping the door locked to screen a
stranger. An intercom system that allows the doorman
to communicate with tenants in their apartments is
also essential in enabling him to confirm the identity of
guests and make further inquiries concerning strangers.
Over time, doormen become familiar with who the
residents are and even their frequent visitors. However,
according to the NCHSS, “a single doorman cannot
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