Dubai's Springs to get CCTV, remote access

Dubai-based master developer Emaar Properties is gearing up to install new security devices in Dubai’s The Springs community for the benefit of residents.

“Community wellbeing, safety and security are some of our primary goals, so we’re pleased to tell you about a new initiative to enhance all three – an Automated Access Control System (AACS) and a CCTV Surveillance System,” the developer noted in its latest communication with homeowners.

These are initially being fitted in the Springs 3 locality on a trial basis, the developer noted, and once any initial hurdles are cleared, the developer will be looking to install them everywhere else in the community too.

The Springs is a gated community of town houses in new Dubai, located adjacent to Emaar’s the Meadows community of villas. There are a total of 15 Springs communities (numbered Springs 1 to Springs 15) and nine Meadows localities (numbered Meadows 1 to Meadows 9).

Emaar will soon be rolling out the pilot automated access in the Springs 3 locality to test the waters. An access control device will be fitted to the gatehouse at Springs 3, which will require residents’ vehicles to contain a registered access device to enable easy entrance to the community, the developer has informed residents. In conjunction with this, a CCTV Surveillance System will also be installed, it maintained.

Many residents had earlier voiced their concerns about unauthorised entry into the gated communities by anyone vaguely familiar with the layout of the communities. Besides, the cars entering or exiting such communities currently do not have identification stickers or access control devices that could help distinguish residents’ vehicles from those of the visitors.

The new system, however, is expected to cover these loopholes. “The AACS will allow only residents’ vehicles with a registered access device fitted inside the vehicle to enter the community through automated access. Visitors/contractors and/or vehicles not fitted with one of these will have to stop and identify themselves and their purpose / destination to security prior to being given access,” Emaar has noted.

In addition, the installation of closed-circuit cameras will mean that a digital log of vehicles entering and exiting the communities will be maintained, resulting in better security and safety in the areas.

“The CCTV Surveillance System will capture and record video images of all vehicles and vehicle number plates entering and exiting the community site via the gatehouse entry and exit points. This pilot project will be on trial during the months of September, October and November 2013,” Emaar said.