After week one!

Dear Residents,

The Committee's initial thoughts and rational about the Hari Raya break being a good time to start our Security services has been far from target. We thought that due to the long holidays, there were less people in the area and therefore any teething problems can be fixed quite easily.

Unfortunately, a myriad of problems started to surface which has made this voluntary task into full time jobs for some of us. Our mobile phones have been ringing non stop due to complaints and others issues. And so the journey began...

We had to break some of our initial plans, like opening up some of the gates, etc and make ad-hoc adjustments like setting up additional gates, etc. Of course, all that had to be done with assessments to our affordability, etc. We had to make certain adjustments quickly to our plans and make it more efficient.

Being a 'newbie' in this, for all of us in the committee, we had to learn quickly, otherwise, the problems will persist and our plans may fail. As it is now, there are some unkown people (who may have their own agenda) are bent on making this project a failure for reasons which are only known to them.

But you know what? We will NOT fail! We will persist to make this project a reality. We have your mandate and trust and we will work towards the success of this project. The committee stands by what we want to do - and that it to protect ourselves. That remains our No. 1 objective and priority. Our security enforcement will come into effect gradually and in stages. You may notice some slack for now but it will be tighten in time as we move along. This is also to give people a chance to familiarize themselves with our security system.

While there were some issues which came up which took away much of our attention and focus, we have also come across some folks who objected with ridiculous reasons, some of which are so hilarious, we just do not know how to classify them anymore! And I thought it will be a good idea to share them with you.

Here are the top 10 reasons given to us:

1. "...I want to park my car here because it is safer - won't get summon from MPSJ. Also just in case, I forget to put the coins in the meter as I am very forgetful...!", from a lady who comes to the shops who parked at our road shoulders, even when there were ample parking space.

2. "...my customers who are married wants to come over with their girlfriends. They don't like to be checked...", from a restaurant owner.

3. "...my neighbour also not yet pay, so why should I pay?...", from a neighbour who wants to set a 'good example'!

4. "... I got 4 cars and I don't want to pay but I want the stickers for free...!", from a very 'friendly' neighbour.

5. "... I pay RM50, so therefore you all in the committee should guarantee 100% that there will be no more crime in our area...", from a very unreasonable neighbour.

6. "...what security? crime does not happen to me - only to others as I have been living here for more than 10 years - nothing happened to me...", from a non-paying and sceptical resident

7. "...how can we leave our safety to a bunch of guards and some drums?...", from a very concerned neighbour

8. "...you all collect from 700 houses, so much money, so since they pay then I don't have to lah...", from a 'smart investor' neighbour

9. "...I want to save petrol so I want to use my short-cut...!", from a 'cost-cutting' resident probably from outside our area

10. "... I am a Malaysian and I have my rights to use all the roads I want!", from an old man who was in his Made-In-Germany car, in a 'not-so-himself' condition, who thinks he is still 20 years old, probably from outside of USJ 11/3.

Well, I would like to reiterate to these neighbours and people who had objected that your committee pays the same fee as well apart from doing their 'full time job' (like me updating the blog so that you guys are kept informed). Personally, I am not doing this for fun but to ensure that we do something for ourselves as a community. I am sure that sentiments are the same for all our committee members who had walked in the hot sun, collecting money from all of you, having meetings at odd hours, etc.

So, what is wrong with being a bit nicer to people who live next to you?

We have mentioned before that this security project is done on a 'best effort' basis and therefore we cannot guarantee anything. Heck! How can we do that, when we cannot even guarantee it for ourselves? But at least we are doing something about the escalating crime in our area.

We have now managed to, at least secure our surrounding areas by checking on people and preventing those from coming in, people who have no business in our area. As well as that, our guards are doing their rounds checking on our houses periodically, etc. However, that does not mean that a possible breach in security may not happen, as USJ 11/3 is a huge area.

Therefore, you are also encouraged to help look out for your neighbours, switch on your car porch and back lane lights at night, be vigliant at all times and CALL the police should there be a problem. For example, if you want to complain about people playing mahjong, etc, please by all means - call the police. It is not the job of our security. While the guards have eased some of the things that we do not want to do, such as standing in the hot sun checking on people coming in and out of our area, please do not leave everything to the guards or the committee. There is also such thing as self-help. Know what I mean? So be nice!

Talking about that, we initially had some problems with some of the shop owners but mostly because they were not well informed of our plans. We have since engaged with some of them and we have now worked out a plan which hopefully will be acceptable by all. There is still one who is persistant about ensuring that we do not secure our shared border but in general, the rest have been quite reasonable.

And so, thank you to the boss of Country Barn for taking the initiative to resolve some of the issues. It does not mean that it is all clear as there is still one very stubborn boss. But hopefully, he will come to terms with our resolve to have this security in place, as we represent all of you - at least 500 houses! That should be something he should be thinking about - hopefully!

That said, we hope that you, the residents are feeling a lot safer coming out of your houses now and hopefully your neighbours will be smiling to you and vice versa. We have come a long way but we have a long journey ahead. And don't forget to smile and wave at our friendly guards who are making this a safer place for us besides taking some unreasonable and unncessary flak from some people who do not want to be inconvenienced.

So, let us all stick together and work closely as a community.

Thank you.

The Committee
11 Trees @ USJ