Tenants get extra protection following Marriott incident

Tenants get extra protection following Marriott incident

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

High-rise apartments and townhouses are beefing up their
security systems to protect tenants from threats of danger in the
wake of the recent bombing of JW Marriott hotel.

The blast that killed 10 people last month, early last month,
has boosted the awareness of high-rise apartment and townhouse
operators about the need to have a reliable security system that
can immediately detect any break-in or threat to security at an
earlier stage.

As a preventive measure, for instance, most apartments and
townhouses have established layered security checks. Anyone and
any vehicles entering the area of an apartment are subject to a
thorough security inspection by security personnel armed with
metal detectors and mirrors at the front gate.

Other security guards will carry out a further inspection of
guests at the apartment front desk where, based on the approval
of the tenant with whom the guest wants to meet, the guards will
determine whether the guest is allowed to proceed inside or not.

To ensure an optimal result, many apartments have not only
provided more training for their security personnel but also
installed new security equipment. Some have even hired security
personnel from security companies to manage and operate their
security system.

"Personnel hired from a security company are generally more
professional," said Gatot Setyadi, the marketing manager of The
Pakubuwono Residence apartment complex, now under construction.

In addition to hiring security professionals, The Pakubuwono
Residence management has also set up sophisticated IT-based
infrastructure allowing would-be tenants to monitor and control
their units through panels or remotely through the use of the
Internet at any time and from anywhere.

The Pakubuwono Residence, which will have five towers and 639
apartment units, is strategically located on Jl. Pakubuwono 6 No.
68, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Construction of the apartment
is expected to be completed by December 2005.

Several apartments in Jakarta such as Aston International and
Allson Residence have recently tightened their in-house security
systems with the assistance of the police.

Aston, for example, has tightened all security check
procedures, especially at the apartment's front gate.

"Only registered guests are allowed to enter and use an
elevator going to a guest room," said Aston International's
marketing and communications manager Nieke P. Handayani.

She said that all emergency doors were subject to inspection
every 30 minutes to ensure that the doors were closed.

In anticipation of unexpected incidents, Aston also plans
refresher training programs for its security personnel. The
subjects include basic security awareness, security skills and
bomb awareness. "Our hotel management staff must also attend bomb
awareness training sessions," Nieke said.

Allson Residence in Senen, Central Jakarta, has also set up an
in-house security system offering round-the-clock service, with
an efficient and effective system.

"As a preventive measure, we have intensified our efforts to
safeguard vital places, carry out control of crime-prone sites
and inspect objects that could cause a security threat," said Ung
Beng Huat, general manager of the 23-floor Allson Residence.

"We have also established a partnership with the local police
station from which we get updated information on the security
situation and receive assistance immediately in the event of a
security-related incident," he said.

Besides improving the skill of their security personnel, most
of the city's apartments have also installed state-of-the-art
security devices.

These include closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitors,
fire/emergency control panels, house videophone, smoke detectors,
computerized access cards and metal detectors.

With CCTV monitors placed next to receptionists on the front
desk, security personnel on duty can monitor any activities in
different areas, such as the entrances, driveways, front door,
plays areas, the nursery, garages and backyard.

Beside CCTV monitors, each tenant's unit is connected to a
house videophone installed at a reception room equipped with
cameras. It allows tenants to monitor anyone wishing to meet them
even when they (the guests) are still at the front desk or lobby
so that tenants can see whether they recognize the guests.

In accordance with standard procedures, anyone wishing to meet
a tenant is required to wait at the front desk. "Security
personnel will not escort the guest to meet the tenant until the
tenant asks them to do so," said Ung Beng Huat.

As part of the security system, most apartment operators have
also installed a special device on elevators that can limit guest
access to floors.

Employees, staff and even tenants in most apartments are also
involved in security awareness. They are, for example, asked to
report suspicious people to security if they see them trying to
enter the apartment complex.

"Our employees are asked to pay great attention to suspicious
objects and always cooperate with security personnel in
accordance with their responsibilities," said Tamanpuri Oasis
assistant marketing manager Bertha M. Gani.

Even though most apartments have not revamped their existing
guidelines regarding security matters for tenants following the
Marriott bombing, tenants have responded positively to strict
security systems or procedures adopted by their respective
apartments or townhouses.

"Tenants have shown their willingness to cooperate in this
regard by cooperating with the checking of guests' cars or those
of their staff," she added.

Ratu Neilla of the Plaza Residence, said, "we have not
(issued) specific regulations but tenants are encouraged to
report anything suspicious."