PARAMARIBO - RESIDENTIAL GUARDS; DS PROPOSAL TO

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000201

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR DS/OPO/FPD C.TOY, DS/IP/WHA M. WRIGHTE, WHA/CAR
J.ROSHOLT, OBO W.MCLEESE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AFIN ABUD AMGT
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO - RESIDENTIAL GUARDS; DS PROPOSAL TO
REDUCE RESIDENTIAL GUARDS

REF: A. SECSTATE 27945


B. PARAMARIBO 85

C. LEWIS/MARVIN TELECON OF 3/6/08

D. TOY/MARVIN EMAIL OF 3/11/08


1. SUMMARY: This cable responds to reftel (A) requiring Post
compliance with Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB)
standards for residential security and provides Embassy
Paramaribo,s recommendations and funding requirements for
residential security upgrades and measures needed to bring
Post,s residential housing pool into compliance with OSPB
standards.


2. The Embassy also takes this opportunity to point out
several specific, special circumstances that Post,s
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) believes affords
justification for maintaining its current residential guard
program (paragraphs 7-11). Post therefore requests that DS
approach Post,s upcoming new guard contract solicitation
process with flexibility, specifically by authorizing Post to
solicit bids on three different guard proposals, each
providing a different level of residential guard coverage
(paragraph 12). END SUMMARY.

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Residential Security Upgrade Requirements:
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3. Embassy Paramaribo,s EAC met on April 8, 2008, following
receipt of reftel (A) which notified Post of DS/OPO/FPD,s
intention to eliminate Post,s residential guard program,
citing OSPB standards for "High Crime" threat posts.


4. As a result of the deliberations of the EAC, in early
April 2008, Regional Security Officer (RSO) Paramaribo
resurveyed all Mission residences to determine what upgrades
were needed to bring residences up to OSPB standards in the
event that residential guards were removed. The RSO
determined that, due in part to an effective residential
guard program, a number of security enhancements had been
postponed, delayed, ignored, or were otherwise not possible
based on local conditions. The RSO also advised the EAC that
the elimination of the residential security guards would
create certain hazards and security challenges. These are
described below, along with RSO recommendations, endorsed by
the EAC:

-- Perimeter Barriers: A nationwide ordinance prohibits
perimeter walls or barriers that exceed 1.5 meters in height
along streets and roadways and 2.5 meters on property lines
bordering neighboring properties. Exceptions require the
permission of the Ministry of Public Works; however, waivers
are unlikely. Reportedly the Ministry has directed the
tearing down of walls that exceed those heights enumerated in
the ordinance, and Embassy residence landlords have refused
to increase the height of perimeter walls, citing the local
ordinance. These low walls provide easy access to
residential properties by criminals. Outdoor motion
detectors are impractical, due to the prevalence of small
animals and birds. Some builders or homeowners have
installed chain link fences or barriers of iron bars that
exceed the heights permitted in the ordinance; however, we
believe this may also be a violation of the ordinance. In
short, there is no way around the ordinance.

-- Electric Gates: Loss of residential guards would require
installation and maintenance of electric driveway gates so
that residents would not have to dismount from the protection
of their vehicles while attempting to open the driveway
gates, thus increasing their susceptibility to crime. (NOTE:
We understand this may come under the purview of OBO;
however, the RSO considers this equipment extremely important
for personal safety at a critical choke point.)

-- Pedestrian Gates: If post were to lose residential
guards, all residences would need to have a pedestrian gate
with padlocks keyed alike to allow access for Mobile
Patrols/React Units and the RSO for normal rounds and in case
of emergency.

-- Intercoms: Installation of intercoms would be necessary
so that tenants could screen visitors from the safety of
their residences or safe havens.

-- Grills: Whether or not the residential guard program is
cut back, windows at some residences would have to be grilled
to meet OSPB standards including the installation of fire
egresses in all grilled bedrooms.

-- Perimeter/Safehaven doors: During his survey, the RSO
noted that many doors and locks did not meet OSPB standards
and would need to be replaced or upgraded.

-- Alarms: If post were to lose residential guards,
residential alarm systems would become one of the most
important aspects of our residential security profile.
Additional keypads, sensors and panic buttons would be needed.

-- CAMS: The Embassy does not have a separate alarm
monitoring contract. The majority of the alarms at Mission
residences are owned by the Embassy and set up with an
auto-dialer, which utilizes a landline to dial the local
guard company and the Local Guard Coordinator (an Embassy
Locally Employed Staff member). The local guard company then
contacts the local guard at the residence and sends the
mobile patrol for assistance, if needed. Due to continuous
problems with the local telephone system, and the ability of
criminals to cut telephone lines, the auto dialers are not
considered a reliable system. To be truly considered as
reliable, functional CAMS, all alarms should be upgraded by
adding leased RF transmitters to be monitored by an
established alarm monitoring company. RSO has investigated
and has found only one suitable local company that can
provide this service.

-- Mobile Response Unit: The elimination of static guards at
Embassy residences would require increased patrols by mobile
units. The addition of one, 24x7, 2-person Mobile
Patrol/React unit would allow a 5-7 minute response time
anywhere in the city.

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Residential Security Upgrade Cost Estimates
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5. A specific breakdown of needed residential security
upgrades follows:

One Time Cost Upgrades:
Qty Cost Total
Install. of electric gates 5 $2,000 $10,000
Installation of Ped. Gate 4 $550 $2,200
Ped. Gate Padlocks 25 $30 $750
Purchase of Intercoms 18 $600 $10,800
Grilling Per Square Meter 28 $75 $2,100
Emergency Egress Install 9 $200 $1,800
OSPB Standard Doors 16 $200 $3,200
S&G 181 Sliding Deadbolt 60 $65 $3,900
Shipping Costs-S&G 181s $300
Alarm Keypad Purch. Inst. 7 $280 $1,960
Wired Panic Buttons Inst. 72 $100 $7,200
RF CAMS Transmitter Inst. 18 $75 $1,350

Recurring Cost Upgrades:

RF CAMS Trans. Lease/Yr 18 $600 $10,800

CAMS Monitoring Svc/Yr 18 $300 $5,400

Total Cost for One Time Upgrades $45,560
Total Cost for Recurring Upgrades $16,200
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Total $61,760



6. Post would require $30,000 for the remainder of FY08,
followed by $31,670 for FY09 to complete the residential
security upgrade project prior commencement of the new
contract on February 1, 2009. Once the funds are received RSO
and Post,s residential security coordinator would
immediately commence upgrading residences. Assuming the first
installment of FY08 funding was received soon, and the FY09
request was received early in FY09, RSO does not anticipate a
problem with finishing the upgrades prior to the commencement
of the new guard contract.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONSIDERATIONS:
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7. Although Paramaribo is currently rated a "High Crime"
threat post, DS/IP/ITA has informally indicated that Post,s
crime threat rating may be raised to "Critical" in the near
future, based upon the Post,s February 29, 2008 "Annual
Crime Evaluation Questionnaire (ACEQ)".


8. Embassy Paramaribo EAC understands that OSPB standards
would require that a proposal to initiate a Residential Guard

Program would be considered after two consecutive review
periods confirmed the advisability of instituting a
residential guard program; however, the elimination of an
existing residential guard program at a post that is already
demonstrating the trend seems counterintuitive and counter
productive.


9. As reported in Post,s February 29 ACEQ, crime in
Suriname has increased significantly in recent years.
Criminals are becoming more aggressive and more violent.
Armed home invasions have become a common occurrence in areas
surrounding the Embassy and Mission residences. Post,s EAC
believes that the best deterrent to residential crimes is the
presence of residential guards. The local Police liaison to
the Embassy and other diplomatic and international missions
in Paramaribo agree. The Dutch Embassy, which participates
in the informal network of Security officers created by
Post,s RSO, have recently changed guard companies (to the
company used by the U.S. Embassy) and beefed up training and
security around both the Dutch Embassy and residences. Dutch
officials have expressed disbelief that the U.S. Embassy
would contemplate cutting back on security measures, as they
are convinced that the upward trend in crime will continue.
Suriname,s zoning ordinance restricting the heights of
perimeter walls presents, perhaps, the single most serious
challenge for ensuring residential security in the absence of
static residential security guards.


10. Armed carjackings have increased in the past few months,
and we are aware of at least one instance of kidnapping for
ransom. Criminals target victims based upon their appearance
and the types of cars they drive. Residences are key
chokepoints for these types of crimes; the presence of
residential guards is a key deterrent.


11. Post has worked carefully over the past decade to
cultivate a responsive and effective residential security
guard program. Performance standards are high, and guards
have received extensive training. It will not be possible to
terminate the residential guard program, and then start it up
again if and when the &critical8 crime rating endures for
two consecutive rating periods.

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POST PROPOSALS FOR RESIDENTIAL SECURITY:
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12. SOLICITATION OPTIONS:

-- OPTION A: In light of the uncertainty of the crime trend
and the impending expiration of the current residential guard
contract (which is part of the overall Embassy security
contract),Post requests authorization to extend the current
guard contract by one (1) year. That would give Post the
opportunity to confirm that current crime trends are enduring
and warrant maintenance of the current LGP. This is the
option that the EAC recommends.

-- OPTION B: A reduction in the residential guard program
to 12 hour coverage from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. This option
would provide coverage at times of greatest risk.

-- OPTION C: All residential guards, with the exception of
those at the Ambassador and DCM residences, are eliminated
per DS/OPO/FPD,s request. One additional 24x7, 2-person
Mobile Patrol/React unit is added. This should allow a 5-7
minute response time anywhere in the city.

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RESPONSE REQUESTED:
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13. Post is currently working on the solicitation for the
next guard contract. Before getting too far into this
process, Post requests further guidance from DS to determine
what level of guard service should be specified in the
solicitation. Furthermore, Post seeks DS,s permission to
list and request bids on all three of the options listed in
paragraph 12 above in the solicitation.


14. Post appreciates DS/OPO/FPD,s attention to this matter
and looks forward to their reply.
GENTON