Vehicle Vandalism & Parking

Dear Editor,

I am one of the residents recently afflicted by the recent troubling act of vandalism that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 30th August 2006. I am writing this letter to suggest possible options available to us to prevent the situation from occurring.

Additional guard patrolling on the outside. I am not sure if we may face an issue of area jurisdiction; however, their visibility alone may be a sufficient deterrent. Based on my observation, I am certain that we have enough guards to do so.

Free overnight parking for residents at empty visitor bays. Priority should be given to residents in terms of parking space.

I understand that there has been some discussion with regards to the creation of a new parking area and the decision made to keep it as a green-lung area. I would like to know if there has been a motion within the Tiara Management Council to incorporate the two entities (unfortunately I was unable to join the discussion earlier). Are there any other more secure parking options that we can develop over the long-term? Parking is a pressing matter that needs to be resolved one way or the other.

Thank you very much for lending your ears in regards to this issue. On another note, I would like to applaud the Management's decision to revamp the guard situation. Most of them struggle to communicate in English, let alone in local tongue, but they have been very professional thus far. I believe they will keep learning and continue to do a good job.

Leon Lau

Dear Editor,

Early this morning (30^th August), my car was one of 9 that were broken into on Jalan 17/1, just outside King's Gate. I park outside, despite a previous break-in a few months ago, because my wife also has a car and uses our space within Tiara Damansara.

If we have no way of increasing the quantity of secure, on-site parking, can we have the security guards take more notice of the surrounding area, including a regular patrol outside the compound, between the two gates?

As well as deterring car thefts, monitoring the area immediately outside our boundaries could also increase everyone's security within Tiara Damansara, by deterring or detecting housebreakers.

Laurence

Dear Editor,

Yesterday, my car, along others was broken into. I am disappointed that the Management will not be looking into the additional parking in the vacant lot outside Jalan 17/1. I think it was a good idea for Management to consider this. Although there were a lot of letters against the idea, I saw that almost all the letters were from residents facing the vacant lot. One resident asked nature be sacrificed for a parking lot? I say yes, if the parking lot can protect my car from being broken into. The alternative idea of parking lots along Jalan 17/1 is pointless as it will still be outside the compound. Maybe we should have the guards patrol outside the compound on their walk from Queen’s to King’s Gate.

Parker

Dear Editor,

The snatch, house or condo, car and other thieves has become a part of the Malaysian way of life, so it is time for us to complement the police in ensuring a more peaceful and harmonious society.

The new guards at Tiara are smartly dressed and can be seen moving around the compound to deter any untoward incidences. This reminds me of the English police system or the Malaysian Salleh System of the 70's and 80's, in which the police were constantly on patrol and the crime rate seemed minimal.

The car window and windscreen-breaking incident that happened outside the Tiara Condo along Jalan 17/1 on Aug 30^th 2006 is a clear sign that the security and safety in PJ Section 17 have not improved at all.

Sad as it may be, the pressing issue is to ensure more vigilant and alert security guards to make sure it is difficult for thieves to function effectively. This will mean the guards need to have a better mode of trans­portation to do their perpetual rounds. An electric bike or motorbike armed with siren and other essential policing tools should be made available to the guards, so that they can be speedy and agile in the event of a mischief, break-in or intrusion.

For the residents, it may be time to have something similar to the Rukun Tetangga or Neighbourhood Watch. The ability to apprehend the culprits on the spot will deter them from trying their luck again.

We are likely to witness and experience more challenging social and community issues, much to our dislike and discomfort. It is time for us to work together to develop a better community living.

Yan-Goh Ng, Ph.D.