Five Steps to Better Parking Lot Security

Many businesses will put parking lot security low on their list of priorities, however, violent crimes, car accidents, parking lot takeovers, and theft are all common risks you can face. 

Those who own or are responsible for parking lots have a duty of care to the individuals who utilize it, even with intruders.

Therefore, to avoid being hit with large legal and financial consequences, it’s time to prioritize your parking lot security and LotGuard is here to support this.

Offering the USA's leading choice for parking lot surveillance cameras, we outline the five steps property owners and businesses should take to prevent crimes from occurring within your lot.

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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 the security at your lots, but some will likely be more effective than others. At LotGuard, we always recommend a blended approach to security. 

Providing autonomous security cameras for parking lot security ourselves, we have gained insight from clients and generally surveillance systems are considered to be the most effective way of keeping your lots safe – especially when they're being watched by remote monitoring services.  

Our security cameras prevent more than just theft, the cameras function 24/7, documenting everything taking place in your lots to provide support for evidence and liability claims.

Assess Your Risks

Before deciding what security measures to implement, you need to assess the risks your parking lot is facing, and the likelihood of an incident occurring.

This helps pinpoint exactly where you have security weaknesses, the impact of not addressing them, and who will be affected.

Understanding the type, severity, and number of risks you're facing will help you prioritize which areas to tackle first and what security measures you should 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 speak to one of LotGuard's security experts regarding the flexible security solutions we can offer to you.

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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. For extra reassurance, consider backup power for these in case of an outage.

Installing fences and bushes will create a physical barrier to prevent trespassers from accessing your lot or being able to view into it. 

Although fencing does help to deter crime, it does not guarantee protection as criminals can scale fencing to access the parking lot.

It is vital that you have a maintenance program 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 parking lot, keep areas such as stairwells and elevators well-lit.

Control Access to Your Parking Lots

Controlling who accesses your parking lot will help to ensure only authorized people can enter and that a full audit trail of visitors is logged. 

Options such as a manned or automated security gate using a swipe card or ticketing system, keyless PIN pads, and facial recognition systems, all support protecting your lot and providing visitor evidence.

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.

Install Emergency Phones and Stations

In an urgent situation, or if one of your customers is in immediate danger, a dedicated emergency phone or station can be used to provide instant assistance to them. 

Even though most people have cell phones these days, in a flat battery / no signal situation emergency phones can help your employees or customers get connected to an emergency operator when they need it most.

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 providing remote crime prevention including the deployment of law enforcement or security guards to respond to an incident.

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 unit's built-in video analytics can automatically detect unwanted intruders, triggering a remote crime prevention process.

LotGuard can also offer the following enhancements:

• License plate recognition (LPR) cameras
• Thermal cameras
• 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.

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