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Five Steps to Better Parking Lot Security
Managing a Parking Lot presents a range of security risks as these locations are a natural attraction for criminal activities such as vehicle theft, vandalism, and property damage.
Criminal activity at parking lots is so widespread that, per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, figures reveal over 10% of all property crimes take place in a parking lot.
That's more than 2 million parking lot crimes each year, with over $6B in property loss associated with those crimes. Numbers are heightened this time of year, with a 30% spike in crime rates around the holidays.
LotGaurd, the USA's leading choice for parking lot surveillance cameras, outlines below our five steps property owners and businesses should take to prevent crimes from occurring.
Five Steps to Improve Parking Lot Security
Parking lots present plenty of security challenges. However, there are several easy steps you can take to keep your employees, customers, and guests safe.
Each of these steps will enhance security at your lots, but some will likely be more effective than others. At LotGuard, we always recommend a blended approach to security.
We provide autonomous security cameras for parking lot security. There is no doubt that surveillance systems are the most effective way of keeping your lots safe – especially when they're being watched by our remote monitoring partners.
It's not just theft WCCTV's security cameras prevent, the cameras function 24/7, documenting everything taking place in your lots to provide support for evidence and liability claims.
1. Assess Your Risks
Before deciding what security measures to implement, you need to assess the risks your parking lots are facing, and the likelihood of an incident occurring.
This helps pinpoint exactly where you have security weaknesses, the impact of not addressing the weaknesses will have, and who will be affected.
Understanding the type, severity, and number of risks you're facing will help you prioritise which areas to tackle first and what security measures to utilize.
We appreciate not everyone will have completed a risk assessment before, so check out the ASIS International website if you want to download a free template.
You can also click the link below to speak to one of LotGuard's security experts.
2. Design and Maintenance Improvements
Criminals operate better under the cover of darkness, so investing in lighting facilities for your parking lots is a simple and cost-effective way of creating a natural deterrent. Also, consider backup power in case of an outage.
Installing fences and bushes will create a physical barrier to keep trespassers from accessing your lots. It is vital that you have a maintenance programme in place too, as bushes, trees and shrubs can provide cover or hiding places for criminals.
Ensuring the safety of your guests, employees, and customers is even more important than protecting property. Create a space where they are not placed in any vulnerable situations.
Clear signage will help visitors navigate their way around your lots, keep areas such as stairwells and elevators well lit, and consider credit card only payment machines so your visitors don't need to carry cash.
3. Control Access to Your Lots
Controlling who accesses your lots will ensure only authorized people can enter and that a full audit trail of visitors is logged. A manned or automated security gate using a swipe card or ticketing system will help you track who comes and goes, and prevent unauthorized access.
It is highly unlikely such a process will be practical for a large retail parking lot, but it remains a viable solution for private property, dealerships, and commercial parking.
4. Install Emergency Phones and Stations
In an emergency situation, or if one of your customers is in immediate danger, a dedicated emergency phone or station can get the immediate assistance they require.
Even though most people have cell phones these days, in a flat battery / no signal situation emergency phones can help your staff or customers get connected to an emergency operator when they need it most.
5. Utilize Mobile Video Surveillance Cameras
Mobile video surveillance cameras provide a visible deterrent to potential thieves. They also reassure your guests, customers, and employees that their vehicles and personal safety are protected.
When surveillance cameras are backed by remote video monitoring, they become a virtual security guard - tracking criminals, gathering evidence, and allowing for remote crime prevention including deployment of law enforcement or security guards to respond.
LotGuard parking lot security cameras can be deployed to your lots regardless of your current power situation. Our solutions are fully customizable and can adapt to any situation whether you have mounting poles with electricity, or need a more mobile solar solution. Our units operate utilizing 4G LTE transmission, making them completely autonomous.
The units built-in video analytics can automatically detect unwanted intruders, triggering a remote crime prevention process.
LotGuard can be provided with the following enhancements:
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License plate recognition (LPR) cameras
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Thermal cameras
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Horn speakers and sirens
Additionally, evidence captured by surveillance cameras can also be used to assist with any vehicular accidents/hit and runs that may occur on your premises - helping reduce liability claims and improving your businesses reputation.
