Home safety

Many residents protect doors and windows with ornamental steel bars. Home security systems have been selling well in recent years. These usually include alarms, automatic lighting devices and automatic phone calls to the police. Some private-guard companies provide patrolling services at a fee to complement the state and (where available) municipal police services.

Crime in residential areas has been reduced somewhat by a trend towards closing accesses to residential developments and controlling traffic by means of private guards and gates. A majority of the residents in a sector must be in favor of “closing” before they can request municipal authorities to do so. Installation and upkeep costs are paid for with contributions from neighbors within the development. The Puerto Rico Legislature approved funds to help communities install access control systems and such funds may still be available to your neighborhood.

Many neighborhoods have opted for this protection system in recent years. However, it has been the subject of much controversy in areas where people oppose the installation of access control systems for a number of reasons.

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