Common Grilles for Back Lanes

[rachel_fplee]

Of late, robberies & break-ins (houses/cars) have been increasing round USJ9. Myself is a current victim too. My house was broke-in 2 weeks ago (during daytime), through the front entrance.

This may have got the attention of other residents too, especially residents from USJ9/3A to 9/3D to employ a security company for patrolling service. Another option the residents went for is to install grilles at the back lanes, to limit access/exit of mainly, strangers & uninvited guests. This method is rather common in most areas around USJ.

Recently, I was informed by a resident staying a row behind that similar measure (grilles for the back lanes) was also proposed for my area as well as her place. In fact, couple of months ago, 3 volunteers (housewives) went around to meet up with all residents involved appealing for assistance to ease administrative processes (eg. approval from authority/MPSJ etc) and monetary contributions. I must say, my deepest appreciation to them for such initiative.

Unfortunately, such proposal was viewed negatively by few residents. They instead misled the volunteers with untrue information that the volunteers will be deem liable if there's a fire or other accidents happen. The grilles will limit the access/exit of residents. Hence, instead of preventing crimes, it'll even post greater danger to the residents! The plan was later scrapped due to the objection from this minority group of residents.

I would like to know from other residents who had past experience(s) (esp. those who had successfully installed the grilles at their back yards) to share views pertaining matters below:

1) Is approval necessary? If yes, from which party (eg. MPSJ)?
2) Does JKP (Zone 3) has to be notified on such plan?
3) Is it required to obtain 100% agreement from residents before such plan can be initiated?
4) Is there a general legal counsel (FREE service/consultation) for USJ where I can post couple of legal concerns, which might be of interest to the residents? Eg. common responsibility/liability among residents, common custody of the grilles installed etc.

Will be useful to have comments from residents out there!

[RolyPoly]

Hi,

In USJ2, we had installed the grilles at both ends of our backyard, to prevent robbers from break-ins. It was done more than 4 years ago.

One of the residents in our row actually took the initiative to approach all affected neighbours, explaining to them the reasons, gain their approval through signatures and of course, to share the costs too.

Those of us who have seen strangers passing behind our houses unanimously agreed to have the grilles. However some stingy neigbours refused to pay for the cost.

Eventually, we had the grilles and we have to give those non-paying neighbour a set of the keys to the lock of the grilles. Reason being they would need the keys during emergency, e.g. when there's a fire.

I was told that MPSJ's approval is required to have the grilles installed.
I can check with my neighbour if you need to get residents signatures before approaching MPSJ for approval. Will revert to you.

Nowadays I feel safer and do not mind keeping my kitchen's windows open as there is no more strangers or suspicious characters who pass by our backlane. That's the advantage to highlight to your fellow neighbours. Now that crime acts are so rampant, the grilles is just an additional security feature.

Good Luck! :)

[rachel_fplee]

Hey, thanks for the info. Do keep inform if you have any update on the MPSJ approval thingy.

I'm prettly sure if I do call up MPSJ to check, the standard reply from them is, YES, you need approval for everything! :-)

[pcyeoh]

I would like to know from other residents who had past experience(s) (esp. those who had successfully installed the grilles at their back yards) to share views pertaining matters below:

1) Is approval necessary? If yes, from which party (eg. MPSJ)?
2) Does JKP (Zone 3) has to be notified on such plan?
3) Is it required to obtain 100% agreement from residents before such plan can be initiated?
4) Is there a general legal counsel (FREE service/consultation) for USJ where I can post couple of legal concerns, which might be of interest to the residents? Eg. common responsibility/liability among residents, common custody of the grilles installed etc.

Will be useful to have comments from residents out there!

1. Yes approval is required as MPSJ wants to check whether you have complied to their requirement. MPSJ commits to make it easy to get their approval as they are the one who have provided this guidelines. You will get the prompt approval if everything is complied with.

2. I am the Chairman of JKP Zon 3. Although you are not required to do so, it would be good if we are being informed so that should any problem crops up, we can assist you.

3. According to MPSJ, you just need 51% of the residents affected to give you the consent. I strongly suggest you go about getting their consent in black and white and make sure that they understand what you are doing. Also form a committee to get quotation and be transparent to avoid being accused of wrong doing by people who refused to contribute. Though they don't contribute, you must provide them with a set of keys. Don't worry about being legally implicated. So far I have not heard people got burnt to death while in the back lane. Further more if there is a fire, he won't be the only one in the back lane. He is just making life difficult for you. I am told that there is always a 30% who refused to pay and yet these people are so thick skin to also want to enjoy the security and the worst lot are those who can't even keep their mouths shut. Leave them alone and concentrate on those willing ones.

4. In our usj.com.my forum, we have a column called Legally Speaking and our moderator name Shali is a lawyer by profession. Just post your case there and a lot of people will provide you their 2 sen worth of thoughts.

I will get my fellow resident to provide you how to write the application letter to MPSJ and the know how on how to get this done. Averagely, each house must be prepared to pay about RM 200.00 based on 30% not paying. Each grille cost about RM 1,000.00 - 1,200.00. Ask the residents to recommend the contractors to you. Ask for minimum 3 quotations and the most 5 as you don't want to spend too much time looking around. Then you just do your maths and get the committee to decide. Call me 012-2995330 if you need further help.

[rachel_fplee]

1. Yes approval is required as MPSJ wants to check whether you have complied to their requirement. MPSJ commits to make it easy to get their approval as they are the one who have provided this guidelines. You will get the prompt approval if everything is complied with.

2. I am the Chairman of JKP Zon 3. Although you are not required to do so, it would be good if we are being informed so that should any problem crops up, we can assist you.

3. According to MPSJ, you just need 51% of the residents affected to give you the consent. I strongly suggest you go about getting their consent in black and white and make sure that they understand what you are doing. Also form a committee to get quotation and be transparent to avoid being accused of wrong doing by people who refused to contribute. Though they don't contribute, you must provide them with a set of keys. Don't worry about being legally implicated. So far I have not heard people got burnt to death while in the back lane. Further more if there is a fire, he won't be the only one in the back lane. He is just making life difficult for you. I am told that there is always a 30% who refused to pay and yet these people are so thick skin to also want to enjoy the security and the worst lot are those who can't even keep their mouths shut. Leave them alone and concentrate on those willing ones.

4. In our usj.com.my forum, we have a column called Legally Speaking and our moderator name Shali is a lawyer by profession. Just post your case there and a lot of people will provide you their 2 sen worth of thoughts.

I will get my fellow resident to provide you how to write the application letter to MPSJ and the know how on how to get this done. Averagely, each house must be prepared to pay about RM 200.00 based on 30% not paying. Each grille cost about RM 1,000.00 - 1,200.00. Ask the residents to recommend the contractors to you. Ask for minimum 3 quotations and the most 5 as you don't want to spend too much time looking around. Then you just do your maths and get the committee to decide. Call me 012-2995330 if you need further help.

Hey PC, thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure when such proposal is opened up to residents, there'll be a lot of questions regarding approval, legal implication etc.

Therefore, it'll be most helpful if you're able to provide more info on the application letter to MPSJ. With this in-hand plus other legal details which I'll discuss with Shali soon, we can at least do up a proper and complete proposal when approaching residents.

Can understand that residents need assurance on matters which might be a concerned to them as well. Therefore, it'll be proper to have this fundamental work done first.