A public housing estate in Tuen Mun has sparked online discussion after issuing an official notice prohibiting security guards from opening doors for residents.
A notice from Tuen Mun's On Ting Estate was shared on Facebook. Issued by the On Ting Estate Office on October 14, the notice read: "Except under special circumstances, security guards will not provide door-opening services for residents."
The notice also pointed out that the measure is "for security reasons," explaining that the office has received feedback from residents that some households frequently request security guards to open the doors instead of using the security code, which “impact daily security operations."
This sparked the online discussion, with many supporting the explicit ban on security guards opening doors for residents.
"Absolutely reasonable, because guards may not actually recognize the residents. Opening the door for anyone can be genuinely risky, especially toward the end of the year, which is a high-risk period!" one commented.
“Security guards are not doormen. They are here to perform security duties.” Some netizens pointed out that it was not the guard’s responsibility to open the door.
Some even suggested that the explicit ban should be extended to all housing estates: "Every estate should put up such a notice."
According to the Manual for Security Personnel Providing Guarding Services in Buildings issued by the Security Bureau, the duties of estate security guards include preventing unauthorized access, reporting and recording incidents, handling emergencies, and preventing and detecting offenses.
