On the flip side...

Optimism of the Kenyon

Our current security situation is no surprise to anyone. Whether you blame the Israeli politicians, the "settlers", the "terrorists", the US, the UN, the EU, or the H.A.M.A.S - none of us are shocked that there is still an issue of security in Israel.

With this reality as a backdrop it seems a little odd that security always looks like an afterthought. It always looks like we make a plan and then afterwards it occurs to someone "Oh, how should we handle security?" Case in point - The Kenyon.

Every Kenyon (shopping mall) is designed in the standard international shopping mall style. Multi-level & multiple entrances and exits on each floors. The mall is just about to be declared open and only then do we start thinking about security.

How do I know this? Just look at the security guards outside each supermarket, bus station, and mall - each one is sitting on a plastic chair, with the entrance cordoned off by plastic barriers, the metal detectors freestanding and a little plastic stool next to him for his coffee mug. If there had been even a little bit of forethought our loyal security guard would have an alcove, with the metal detector built in to the doorway, a proper table with a telephone, an ashtray, and a place for his coffee mug. The barrier would be built into the ground in the same style as the building and the malls would only have as many entrances as they could afford to staff. We wouldn't have stores with 15 doors and only 2 of them unlocked.

It's long been my opinion that the only explanation for this is our optimism. Even though we know the situation, we are all waiting for the day when we can unlock all the doors and throw out those damn plastic barricades.

Soon.

posted by YS @ 2:58 PM