Caribbean Beach Club is a water-facing estate at Hartebeesport Dam and was concerned about rising levels of crime around the dam.

The estate's vision is to provide a sound investment in a secure lifestyle, and to ensure the estate - which consists of 200 free holding and 150 sectional titles - was not a target of the crime, we needed to invest in a more sophisticated security solution, on the understanding that prevention is better than cure.

"Additionally, our position on the waterfront meant we needed to be able to secure the estate without destroying the aesthetics," says Adam Palmer, the estate manager. "The estate is also unique in that it usually only runs at a 20% full-time occupancy rate - if any of the units were burgled, we would only have found out at a later stage. Therefore, we needed to ensure the perimeter was very secure and we needed to know immediately if the perimeter fence had been tampered with.

A total security solution was designed around six pillars, using one security provider, ADT Security:

Pillar 1: Perimeter

This included the wall/perimeter fence, electric fence - including warning devices, energisers etc - and electronic beams.

Pillar 2: Guardhouse

An access procedure was defined, with technology to identify who was in/out of the estate at any given time, control centre for guards to report to, action plan, log system, etc, and notice boards.

Pillar 3: Guards

This involved a tracking and reporting system for guards who patrolled the perimeter as well as the interior of the estate.

Pillar 4: Alarms

Alarms were put along the perimeter, with monitoring systems direct to the control room; and also in homes, with intercom systems for residents and guards to communicate.

Pillar 5: Law enforcement

A system to uphold estate laws and regulations, with the ability to diffuse volatile situations with limited force and commotion. Armed response.

Pillar 6: Safety

This covered fire, medical, emergency drills and procedures.

"The biggest obstacle we faced was the change over from our previous service provider to ADT," says Palmer. "Our previous security solution was a basic guarding facility with palisade fencing. This was a very primitive solution and we had no technical solution in terms of electrical fencing, alarm systems, etc.

"We needed to get the old system out and the new system and infrastructures in place within specific time frames without compromising security.

The Site Operation Procedure also had to be adjusted and residents had to be educated as to the new procedures.

"Caribbean Beach Club is exceptionally pleased with the manner in which all objectives have been met, though, and ADT management has constantly been available to assist with the implementation," Palmer concludes.

For more information contact Marcel Pienaar, ADT, 086 121 2400, mpienaar@tycoint.com, www.adt.com