Protection Money or Security?

USJ is being swamped with strangers knocking on doors asking residents to subscribe to their security services.

Three months ago, a group of young boys were in USJ 18 for that purpose. They were chased away and the police called. They returned again last week and were at my gate with an Indian man. Told them not to bother because our Neighbourhood Watch committee is in the process of negotiating with some companies. Now, it has been more than 2 months since that decision was taken. Will the person who is sitting on it, please move your butts?

On other fronts, I am aware that some residents in other parts of USJ are individually subscribing to this security service. Here and here and in some instances, this appear more like paying protection money! Not that I am against this arrangement (minus the arm-twisting part, of course) but I strongly feel that this has to be a residents' initiative, especially the part on the collection of monies. Not them. Above all else, the residents have to be in control on the security coordination, as well as on hiring and firing.

If approached, my suggestion is to please stay out and not pay anything but REPORT to the police if no resident is coordinating this effort, because we do not know who we are dealing with. Unless, you do not mind these people taking control of your neighbourhood.