I hope I don’t come across as being too critical with this, but, this type of situation affects Laguna as a whole. Especially our reputation. Also, you know what I used to do, thus, cannot help but share my 2 cents on this matter. From the below email communication, I think K. Ooi has missed the mark here.
Yesterday, I phoned to speak with K. Ooi after receiving complaints from James Holgate( Homes 57/10). James came to us concerned because his home was invaded twice within a few months apart. James also owns a Cassia unit and told us he will make full payment this week before going back to work in Hong Kong.
James is not happy with the answers provided by K. Ooi and feel as if Laguna is only giving excuses but no realistic action plans on what will change to prevent future robbery around Laguna. He is complaining about the security company(PCS) as well that perhaps they’ve been here too long and aren’t as active as during their first few years of service. He also asked who is ‘head of security for Laguna?’, I told him it was K. Ooi. But, K. Ooi told him to get in touch with PCS.
Reminder to you on doing an immediate new security bid. No more PCS. The contract can be cancelled with only a 30 day notice.
If I were K. Ooi, I would have taken a different approach(to convey more compassion, empathy, and concern). Homeowners can careless who is to blame they just want to know what will be done next to try and do our best to prevent the next robbery.
As an action plan, I would have two separate security company come do a new risk assessment and for them to tell us what should be done differently around the perimeters and provide an in person meeting with the home owners or committee to relay and explain to them the importance. I would provide a breakdown of how much(minimal) the cost is in terms of baht amount which is needed from the home owners to help towards guarding their valuables and homes to give them a peace of mind. Not talking about just adding 1 more security guard.
What about these ‘Black Suits’ team? What do they do for Laguna, are they our loss prevention team? Who’s on duty at night from Estates for security reason? I would not just rely on the security company to do this. I would add to the action plan to re-do the night security Loss Prevention roster. Night shift should be the most important and as it’s the most vulnerable. If the area by the golf course is an issue, place a few of the ‘black suits’ there until we can either add more white lights there or put up temporary fencing(until can find permanent solutions) and require the security company to provide different scan/guard tours each night of the week to keep robbers guessing. Using the same route or pattern or same time each night is too predictable. Also, does K. Ooi’s team have a copy of the security guard(s) background verification form from the security company. Make sure security guards don’t have any criminal records.
I hear these homes have dogs, but the dogs aren’t barking during the invasion which may mean the dogs know the people doing the invasion (??), perhaps an inside job? However, without proof we cannot point fingers at anyone.
Also, perhaps you get reports from K. Ooi on how many homes or which projects got invaded. Because during Sunday night, I heard homes in Laguna Waters were also invaded (also PCS). I inquired on this and was told by K. Ooi yesterday that she has not gotten around to putting together a report on these incidents yet, too busy.
I have to let you know that K. Ooi was not happy about my call because she asked me ‘what I wanted her to do’? I told her I am not stepping on her toes because I am sales and am trying very hard to make more sales but this type of news and complaints from homeowners give us a bad name. I just wanted to be in the loop so that when clients come to complain about this type of incident to my sales team or me, I am not in the dark because I was not aware it had happened.
Laguna Homes and Waters seem to be hit the most. I drove pass both last night around 8pm, both have extremely poor lighting: those yellow color bulbs don’t do any justice at night.
My honest opinion, Estates need a senior person ‘focused’ on handling Laguna’s common area security, not some junior person. I understand K. Ooi is very good at what she does with the day to day estates handling (she knows many local authorities and police)and she’s very busy but she’s not a security person. She looks to her subordinate for this. If K. Porn (man) is her best supporter, I do worry because I don’t feel he’s very intuitive or pro-active nor detailed enough.
Just my 2 cents to you. To share with K. Ooi but don’t say it’s from me. Don’t want K. Ooi thinking I’m doing her job.