24
Nov
2014
Nov
2014
X – Box 360. Along with that stunner of a game called Assassins Creed. My roommate bought them at the beginning of the year, and since then it’s pretty safe to say I’ve completely redefined the concept of procrastination. For example, at this very moment I’m sitting with a controller in one hand and stretching the other out to reach the keyboard as a write this, so as not to allow a hoard of angry Italian soldiers to storm me. So to reiterate, procrastination – or as I like to refer to it, “fun” – at its finest.
One thing the game did give me (other than umpteen hours of escape from reality into a world where the impossible becomes real and you are not held responsible for your actions – and when you are, you can just hit the power button. Ah, almost as much bliss as a day of golf at Silver Lakes) was an idea for a description. Up to this point, I feel that all of my pieces on how safe enclosed neighbourhoods are were becoming generics of each other. Walls, gates, fences, blah blah blah, you’d get the same kind of story from any real estate broker trying to make a quick buck. The difference is that, here at Myroof, we embrace an aspect that is often skirted over as of inconsequential importance by descriptions of security within enclosed neighbourhoods, and sometimes even by security companies themselves – that of the human element.
How does this fit in with my Assassins Creed analogy? I’m getting there. Perhaps a little background is in order – the game follows a young Italian male bestowed with the quest of freeing his people from an evil overlord tyrant (in a very broad overview, there are ton of subtleties that I’m skimming over. Seriously you should get the game) and faces a seemingly endless enemy threat in his mission to do so.
I feel that the business of security has similar conditions to it. No, the setting is not pre-modern Italy, but rather upon the grounds of properties within The Meadows Estate. The weapons of choice are not stiletto blades or broadswords, but rather an array of the very latest in digital crime-fighting technology in the form of infra-red cameras, motion sensors (highly sensitive, so try not to offend them), and a network of CCTV cameras so vast it would make DSTV look like child’s play. And instead of drawbridges, electronic gates that open upon personalised key-card activation (personally I would’ve kept the drawbridges. But then again, who wouldn’t?). One similarity that became very apparent, very quickly, however, was that of the attitude of both our aforementioned Italian hero, and the guard duty at the Meadows Estate.
For starters, both have exceptionally awesome uniforms. But passing over the obvious, the no-nonsense attitude is the kind of characteristic that no doubt all of us like and appreciate within those whose job details the protection of others (in this case, the residents living within the enclosure). The job comes first, the ends justify the means and all is done to ensure that the mission is a success. Whether saving the world or keeping safe those whom they had sworn to protect, the work ethic is spectacular. Guards within The Meadows Estate do any and everything in their power to make sure that all is well within the enclosure. The well trained crew is rotated regularly, ensuring that fatigue never falters judgment. Armed response units roam within the walls of the estate meaning that, should an alarm be raised, help is literally around the corner, and so well-coordinated that you’d swear you were living a scene from Zero Dark Thirty.
The second similarity between what is possibly the greatest game ever conceived and strongest guard ever deployed is that, no matter how great the odds, the job is always completed. Crime is something that has been around for centuries, and will surely be around for centuries to come. However for the first time ever, we can say with the utmost confidence that you. Are. Completely and utterly. Safe. Just as surely as there will always be a hoard of angry soldiers charging down my X-Box figurine, intent on cutting him to pieces and getting me kicked out of the animus (long story – again, get the game), so there will always be a nameless faceless villain to fear in the real world. But just as surely as I absolutely destroy my enemies, such is my brilliance (yeah, I’m feeling myself just a little bit), so will said guard duty smite any would-be intruder before thoughts of thievery ever formed.
In short, within all that is found amongst the Amenities of the Meadows, walls, gates, electrical wiring - they’re all fine and well. But imagine the concept of security without those whom make us feel secure? The human side of things is the most important aspect to safety and security, and it’s something that The Meadows appreciates in the utmost. The presence of people as beacons of safety within dim days and dark nights makes all the difference to one’s quality of life – for what would make you feel safer - a static, motionless perimeter wall, or an alert and versatile team of the very best (just by the way, the answer is “both and then some” as that’s what’s to be expected in terms of security at The Meadows)? For the men and women in charge of your safety and security are not any ordinary “guards”.
For arguments sake, let’s call them a brotherhood of “Assassins”. And they’re on your side.
