I have mentioned in the past I live in a boomed off area that basically secures the neighborhood form the nasty's that lurk outside. Tonight we are having a meeting to choose some options moving forward. The problem is that not everyone is paying and it puts pressure on everyone else.
I think there is about 72 houses in the protected zone and just over half are paying for this luxury. The others are just ignoring it and reaping the benefits. They can't be forced to pay as this is a private area and is our choice that the majority made. They just refuse point blank even though they drive a Mercedes etc.
The ones that aren't paying know that the ones that are will have to pay more to keep it as it has so many benefits. Firstly your insurance premiums come down as the chances of a break in or hijacking are less likely and secondly the value of your property is increased due to the safety. One agent reckoned it has put 30 percent onto the selling price which is substantial.
The ones that aren't paying may not know this fact as if we all decided to pack it in and go back to what it was before they would lose 30 percent off their selling price immediately. Houses in my area are averaging in the $240 000 mark so roughly $80 000 is lost overnight for roughly a $30 monthly fee.
I know tonight s meeting will be interesting and the usual faces will be there (the ones paying) and we will come up with a new plan. Currently we have two access gates and maybe we will shut one down over the entire weekend saving on guards salaries. This is still secure as the gates are closed and locked and it leaves one access point still guarded.
I know if it comes to it we will just dig deeper into our pockets to make up the balance , but that isn't the point. What can $30 get you a month anyway and having peace of mind is surely worth it for most of us. Maybe they don't know how bad it will become if we removed the security or they do and know we will pay.
Every Friday and Saturday night we can hear the gunshots and dogs barking echoing through the valley and I know I will pay more not to go back to that circus again. Just to add in we had 15 turn up for the meeting.
Image source risingkashmir.com
