Do security guards make residents feel safe?

Alice Chandler

UK, assistant finance and operations manager

“I live in Jumeirah Lake Towers in a 32 storey-building. Having experienced a wonderful, first-class security in other buildings in the heart of the Marina, the standard of security does not feel [better] in my current building.

“[Of course], the security personnel are attentive and efficient in resolving issues. The security systems in place offer access cards to the building which essentially provides access to the residential lifts. However, my building is also a commercial premises and though we have different access cards, this can be unsettling at times.

The building has security cameras in the lobby and on all floors. In addition, they have a sign-in book for all visitors and this notifies me via text which I believe is a great way to track people such as cleaners, couriers, food deliveries, dry cleaning, etc.”

Yvette Jabbour

Lebanon, interior designer.

“I recently moved to Dubai Sports City and I do feel safer with the security guards in the building which has 25 floors. At night, our area gets really dark and sometimes, I come back home late and it can be scary, but when I find them there, it makes me feel better and safer.

“The security system in place in our building has the access card, which means no one can get in without it. Once, I didn’t have the access card and the security guards helped open the gate for me.

“The guards are meant to keep an eye on everything and everyone walking in and out of the building. There are two surveillance cameras on each floor of the building but there is a need of a surveillance camera inside the elevators. The good thing about the building is that there are separate entrances for residential and commercial blocks.”

Venkatesh Margabandhu

India, director, father of one child

“In our building in Karama, we have security guards working round the clock in two shifts, morning and night. They have made us feel safe and secure from the time we moved into the building nine years ago. Just around six months ago and as per regulations from Dubai Municipality, CCTV cameras were installed in the building. Everything is monitored through a display in the security room and this has made us feel more secure.

“Apart from that, the security systems in place include an access card and a speaker system at the gate outside where visitors have to punch the apartment number so we can allow them access.

“Any unknown or unfamiliar person coming into the building is questioned by security guards and we appreciate that they cross-check everything to keep us safe.”