Perceptions of the effectiveness of security measures used at security estates: case studies from Centurion in the city of Tshwane, Gauteng

Abstract

Residential security estates are built to deliver the kind of security (and personal safety) that residents seek and, from a visitor’s point of view, one of the primary reasons for choosing to live in a security estate. However, incidents of crime continue to be reported as occurring at these sought-after residential security estates. This raises the question whether living in these types of estates can create a sense of complacency in residents and security staff towards the crime problem, influence perceptions of personal safety, and whether current security measures implemented are delivering the requisite security needed to protect and secure the residents living inside these estates, while simultaneously ensuring their overall safety and protection within such a residential estate. In this study, the security measures at the selected security estates, as applied by the security officials and by the residents themselves, were examined in order to assess not only the perceptions of both residents and security personnel concerning the effectiveness and impact of the implemented security measures on security at a residential estate, but also whether security measures were being routinely implemented, practised and enforced by residents and security services alike. If not, why is such implementation being neglected or not being enforced.