Guardhouses and roadblocks are there for a good reason

29/08/2007 The Star

AGAINST Unlawful Guardhouses, I totally disagree with you (“Stop roadblock nonsense now – The Star, Aug 27).

Where I stay, we used to have people coming in a car and stealing expensive shoes. Their actions were caught on digital camera, They do it once or twice a month.

And mind you, the shoe racks are usually just outside our main doors. If they wanted to enter the house, it would have been easy.

Then, my cast iron garden set was stolen. It would take three men at least to cart the set out without making noise among parked cars and over the fence. And surely they would have come in a small lorry.

In broad daylight, a neighbour's house was emptied when they were at work. A lorry came on the pretence of shifting furniture.

The thieves mark those houses that are unattended during the day and come in broad daylight.

It came to a point where the residents were so afraid they formed a residents' committee. The erection of the guardhouse and payment for the guards are all private. If you have no business in that area just stay out. That's my best advice.

The whole idea is to keep strangers out or get visitors to register with the guards. Why have heated arguments when the residents are playing a proactive part in preventing crime.

You should be more diplomatic and understanding and cooperate to prevent crime. Any good citizen will support such proactive action in a crime prone zone.

So re-route if you do not like the roadblocks. If you live there, speak to the residents' committee. Otherwise, let others live in peace and don't terrorise them by having heated arguments when things can be easily resolved.

JC,
Kuala Lumpur.