Discovery residents seek cards

“The premise is under CCTV surveillance. Entry for authorized card holders only.”

Notices stating the above have now been pasted on the main doors and across the buildings in Discovery Gardens, a master community with 291 buildings.

In November, Emirates 24/7 reported that Discovery Gardens will have close circuit televisions (CCTVs) and access control systems by March this year. Nakheel, the master developer of the community, has achieved the task in the mentioned time.

Although close circuit televisions (CCTVs) have been activated, the main doors of the buildings still remain open. Access cards are yet to be issued to residents .

The master developer, however, says owners' associations will have to decide on when they want to activate the systems and issue access cards.

A Nakheel spokesperson told Emirates 24|7: "We are installing the system as per owners' association requirements. It is then the responsibility of the OAs to decide on activation timings."

Amit Mehta, a resident-owner of an apartment, says: “The security in our building has been quite lax… you never find the watchman at the door. It is good to have the CCTVs working, but there is an urgent need to activate the access control systems as early as possible which will make then make the building safe and secure.”

Neil Johnson, another resident-owner, states: “Work on installing the access control system in our building was completed last month. However, we haven’t been informed on when will the access cards will be issued and what the charges will be.”

In some towers in Dubai Marina, OAs charge anywhere between Dh50 and Dh100 for issuing access cards. If cards are lost, the owner has to pay nearly double the amount the cost of the card.

In November 2012, Emirates 24/7 reported that Nakheel Owners' Association Management had issued a notice that said: “In the interest of upholding the property value of individual units and enhancing security and safety to the community, the Owners' Association Management will be installing the following systems with work commencing from October 30: CCTV monitoring system and door access control system.”

The notice added various cameras would be installed in common areas with 24|7 recording and access proximity card controls will be installed on main access doors.

“Once installation is complete, you will be notified to apply and collect access cards. Kindly note that without the access cards, you will not be able to access the building,” it stated.

Discovery Gardens consists of six themed communities inspired by garden living, and includes Zen, Mediterranean, Contemporary, Mogul, Mesoamerican and Cactus courtyard gardens. The development has over 25,000 apartments.

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