Frequently Asked Questions on Parking Lot Security

Crimes like parking lot takeovers and catalytic converter thefts can all cause reputational damage for your business, at times even leading to legal and financial consequences where liability is involved. 

If you are responsible for a parking lot, you must take the necessary measures to secure it to protect yourself, but more importantly any members of the public utilizing it, their vehicles, and your property.

Parking Lot Security FAQs with LotGuard

Throughout our journey with supporting various industries on their parking lot security, we have gained first-hand insight into the devastating consequences businesses have faced due to parking lot crime.

We have found that parking lot security will often be neglected over other areas, until an incident occurs and the consequences are felt by a business.

However, by leaving it too late, the damage can already be done and recovering from this is much more difficult than taking preventative measures in the first place. 

As the USA’s leading supplier of mobile surveillance units for parking lot and property security, we are often approached with questions about how to boost the overall security profile of their business.

We look at some of these questions around parking lot security and provide our detailed responses below.

Why is Parking Lot Security Important?

Well, the answer is simple, to protect your business, any employees, and those utilizing your parking lot. 

In 2023, there were 16,944 robberies reported in parking lots, drop lots, and garages. 

Crime like this creates reputational damage, safety dangers, and wider community impact, all of which you could be held liable for. 

For sectors such as retail, increased safety risks to the public can cause further concerns to your business. If an individual injures themselves due to poor parking lot management and security, you could face legal consequences which could be costly. 

It’s of utmost importance for yours and others’ protection that you have considered all the potential risks that are present at your parking lot or that could arise there. 

Without parking lot security, you lead yourself completely to open to various security risks, all of which could have devastating consequences.

Access Our Complete Guide to Parking Lot Security Here

What Are The Common Security Risks Presented to Parking Lots?

It might be surprising to you, but parking lots are prime targets for criminal activity to take place. 

Often covering vast spaces, they tend to have multiple blindspots not visible to the human eye and open access which makes security of them extremely difficult at times.

There are several common security risks to be aware of regarding parking lots, and these are as follows:

• Vehicle theft
• Personal property theft
• Violent crimes
• Car accidents
• Vandalism
• Trespassing 
• Catalytic converter theft

Other crimes including kidnapping, assault, and parking lot takeovers are also present threats that you should remain vigilant for.

How Can I Improve Parking Lot Security?

There are several security measures that can be implemented to help improve your parking lot’s security and safety of any individuals utilizing it. 

Small steps you can take include:

• Add clear signage
• Implement security lighting
• Install panic buttons
• Reduce the numbers of entrances and exits
• Provide training to employees on any parking lot policies

Although these smaller improvements can boost security, it is recommended that you utilize a blended approach through the use of larger security measures also.

This helps to maximize your parking lot security by providing a proactive response to any security threats.

When it comes to larger security measures, there are tend to be three popular options:

• Security Guards - Used to patrol parking lots or at entry points to help with access control.
• Perimeter Fencing - Placed around the parking lot perimeter to deter.
• Mobile Surveillance Cameras - Used to monitor the parking lot and its perimeter.

Although security guards and perimeter fencing are both effective methods of protection, mobile surveillance tends to be considered the best form of defense for parking lots.

Offering 24/7/365 monitoring, day-to-night coverage with no break, sickness, or holiday requirements, surveillance cameras provide cost-effective, yet high-quality security. 

Additionally with some more advanced systems including the LotGuard PRO Surveillance Trailers, they will be backed by remote monitoring service.

These services will utilize security experts to assess any motion detected and respond appropriately in that moment to combat active crime.

What Should I Consider Before Implementing Any Parking Lot Security?

With any parking lot you should complete a risk assessment to understand the security vulnerabilities of your lot. 

This provides insight into specific threats you may be faced with and helps with solidifying what you need to look for in your parking lot security.

During this risk assessment, there are several considerations you should keep in mind to establish the parking lot’s security vulnerabilities:

• Are there any physical hazards present? - Any uneven surfaces, areas prone to flooding, overgrown vegetation, or obstacles.
• How will you upkeep pedestrian safety? - Think about any required walkways, signage, and visibility in areas where pedestrians will be.
• Where are your security weak spots? - Consider any entry and exit points, concealed areas, blindspots, and low visibility locations.
• What type of access does your parking lot have? - Solidify whether it is open, restricted, or private.
• How will traffic flow throughout the parking lot? - Factor in any narrow turns, areas with frequent reverse maneuvers, and parking lot capacity.

Taking the time to consider these factors will help with implementing the correct security approach suitable to your parking lot. 

What Surveillance Solution is Best For My Parking Lot?

Every parking lot is unique, therefore the security measures required for every parking lot will vary depending on this. 

Security guards are a popular option for parking lots, however, for larger spaces it may not be the most suitable solution. 

Large spaces are difficult to monitor as security guards are unable to monitor the full perimeter 24/7. There is also the risk of human error due to lack of concentration and tiredness.

Perimeter fencing is also popular, however, we would recommend this in conjunction with other security monitoring as this tends to only tend to deter crime. 

Fencing can still be scaled by intruders to access the parking lot and without any other security measures, you have no other protection from any parking lot crimes that could take place.

Therefore, generally, the best solution in most instances is mobile surveillance cameras. 

Often considered to be the most cost-effective solution, they offer live monitoring with high-quality imaging that security guards and perimeter fencing cannot offer. 

The LotGuard PRO Surveillance Trailer goes one step further to protect your parking lot. Standing at 20ft tall, not only do they provide live monitoring and proactive security, but they have a strong criminal deterrent.

How Can Mobile Surveillance Support With Parking Lot Security?

There’s multiple benefits of utilizing mobile surveillance units to support your parking lot security, specifically with LotGuard’s Surveillance Trailers:

• IR PTZ Cameras - With additional zoom in capabilities and 360 degree view for complete parking lot coverage.
• 20ft Mast - Creates a strong security presence to help deter crime.
• Visual and Audio Deterrents - Including blue lights, sirens, and live voice-down audio for maximum protection.
• Complete Power Autonomy and Cellular Connectivity - No power or internet input required from you, our Surveillance Trailers support themselves.
• Quick Installation - Trailers can be installed in under 30 minutes to provide immediate security support.
• Relocatable - Easy-to-move and adjustable to your parking lot’s security needs.
• Remote Access - Footage can be accessed live from anywhere with any device.
• Free and Unlicensed Viewing Software - Allows you to live monitor your parking lot for free.

Compared to other mobile surveillance solutions, LotGuard has been specifically designed to support parking lots. Faced with various security risks, we have worked to create a flexible, cost-effective solution without skimping on security quality. 

Does Mobile Surveillance Help Reduce Parking Lot Crime?

Generally, yes. However, the reduction in crime will be completely dependent on how effective your parking lot security is.

If the security measures in place are not suitable to the risks presented to your parking lot, their effectiveness will be reduced and your parking lot will be left vulnerable. 

Choosing the cheapest option may be more of a hindrance than a help, so consider your options. Selecting the most appropriate option could boost crime prevention and save you more money in the long-run.

Find Out How LotGuard Has Supported Other Businesses to Reduce Parking Lot Crime

LotGuard: The USA's Leading Parking Lot Surveillance Cameras

LotGuard surveillance units are designed to provide parking lot and dealership security. They detect, deter, mitigate, report criminal activity and provide 24/7 security.

The units feature built-in video analytics capable of detecting loitering and other criminal behavior. When coupled with our live video transmission, it enables remote crime prevention.

Every LotGuard has an HD infrared camera capable of recording crystal clear evidential images even in the lowest lighting conditions, allowing our remote operators to dispatch law enforcement and capture usable video for review.

The PTZ cameras allow full site coverage, and we can provide LotGuards to your premises regardless of power availability.

Download Our Parking Lot Security FAQs