-
Share This:
-
Rate this article:
Weather
Mostly Cloudy
Max: 85°F | Min: 75°F
| Business boom for security firms |
|
Apryl Sands
Guardian Intern
Published: Jul 04, 2012
Some home security firms in New Providence have seen a ‘shocking’ increase in the number of calls from women expressing concern for their safety after it was recently revealed that police were investigating a series of rapes and home invasions. Gia Williams, assistant manager at Pro-Tech Security Services Ltd, told The Nassau Guardian that over the past week, there has been a substantial increase in the number of inquiries about home alarm systems. Williams called the spike a ‘shocker.’ “Our daily average phone calls inquiring about the systems would be three to four,” said Williams. “But after (the news broke) we received on average six to seven calls (per day), particularly from females inquiring on the alarm systems and how they work.” Williams said she believes the numerous requests for more security are in response to the rape warning issued by police last Monday. On that day, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson revealed that police had reports of numerous rapes that occurred on New Providence over the last six months. One incident involved a woman who was sexually assaulted in a suburb of western New Providence around 5 a.m. last Monday. Ferguson said four of the alleged victims, who live in eastern New Providence, reported sexual assaults over the past few weeks. Another four alleged rapes occurred in western New Providence in recent months, according to Ferguson. Williams said one of her clients wanted extra protection after someone tried to break into her home the day after the rape warning was issued. Office manager at Security Control Equipment and Systems, Cheryl Howard, also said the increased demand was immediately noticeable. “We normally have an installation once a week,” she said. “[But] since [news broke] we’ve had three weekly.” Graham Weatherford, manager at Sure Security Systems, said his company also experienced a recent jump in requests for alarm installations. He believes it’s a direct result of the rape warning. “It was more homes than businesses calling,” Weatherford said. “That’s how I knew it was related to the recent events.” However, Clint Harding, general manager at Harding Security said while he has not noticed an increase in calls over rape concerns, the demand for increased security in general has risen dramatically over a short period of time. He said it’s either because of a rapidly growing population in some communities, or people are simply now recognizing the need for more security. “People are now taking security seriously,” he said. “People are feeling as though this is pressing, this is real.” Stephen Greenslade, CEO of ICS security Concepts, which has a large corporate security division and is contracted to run the government’s electronic monitoring system, said private security has become a “major component in the fight against crime from a preventative standpoint”. |
