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Trellidor a Criminals Worst Nightmare

16 July 2009

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Durban residents Laird Anderson and Matt Goetsch are not your average crime busters. They are as far removed from the ‘bouncer' bodies one has come to expect from this industry as you can get. Matt has the tall, spare frame of an avid cyclist while Laird is the epitome of a distinguished gentleman. Yet both are passionate about security. "Because we are so close to the coal-face, we deal with the fall-out from crime everyday," says Laird, "and want to help fellow Berea and Northglen residents take a proactive approach to preventing crime."

Both are Trellicor franchise owners, and put into practice the responsibility they feel towards their communities as market leaders. "We may be specialists in physical barrier security, but have a broad knowledge of how best to secure a home," said Matt, "so our free consultations invariably include advice on keeping criminals out with layers of security that cover the complete spectrum of options."

Stop them in their tracks

The objective is to create a criminal's worst nightmare by making your home as difficult to break into as possible. This is especially important for those times when you leave the house empty, such as during holidays, as this is the ideal moment for someone to break in. They have ample time to ‘remove' any impediments to gain access without being disturbed.

Setting up security layers means criminals have to spend a great deal of time getting through and risk the noise created, thereby alerting neighbours or your security patrol. Those ‘layers' could range from good perimeter security to burglar alarms, movement sensors, physical barriers and good quality garage doors.

"Garage doors are not something people spend too much time thinking about," said Matt, "but most of us store tools in our garages, giving burglars a wonderful choice of weapon. Solid fitting garage doors that are difficult to break through will block off this option, but only if we remember to keep those doors closed!"

"From an aesthetic point of view, your garage door occupies a large part of your home's exterior surface, so it should also enhance your home's appearance as well as its security," adds Matt, who supplies wide range of attractive, high quality Coroma garage doors.

Tips to Thwart Thieves

• Buy the best security systems that you can afford. Products that depend completely on price will inevitably suffer a resultant drop in quality and strength. If price is a deciding factor, at least know the limitations of the product you are buying.
• Security barriers should be custom made to offer the best possible protection because each opening is unique. Quality manufacturers make barriers to fit curved and angled walls, extra large or very small apertures, blocking off access to criminals.
• Fit barriers inside the home so that thieves have to break through doors and windows first, increasing their chances of discovery.
• At least one window should be fitted with sliding barriers so that it can be used as an escape route in the event of fire or a hostage situation should doors be inaccessible.
• ‘Award' symbols used in adverts often relate to the marketing of products and quality management systems rather than guaranteeing the product's strength and integrity.
• Insurance companies often specify maximum sizes for the openings on burglar guards, so make sure you choose a product such as Cottage Guard that can be made to measure and stay within these limits. Security products that fit precisely offer better resistance against attack, helping to prevent a break-in.
• Properties with garages that open directly onto the street offer easy access to would-be thieves, and open garages in cluster housing estates offer easy pickings to repairmen, builders or casual workers, so remember to keep those doors closed.

The Cost of Crime

There is no doubt that preventing criminals from gaining access to your home has a cost, both in terms of money as well as aesthetic issues. We'd all rather spend that money on fun and not have to live with barred windows and doors. Until a long term solution to our crime problem is found, however, these are discomforts we all have to live with. And the absolute minimum one should have is barrier security.

"Barriers provide a very visible reminder to criminals that your home will not be easy to break into," agreed Matt and Laird. "Security on your windows, doors and garage sends the message that criminals should move on elsewhere. Coupled with other proactive approaches such as an active neighbourhood watch, attending CPF meetings in your area and helping one's local police station in any way one can will go a long way towards frustrating criminals and encouraging them to stay out of your area."

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