Five Steps to Better Parking Lot Security

Is parking lot security low on your priority list? Well, it shouldn’t be. 

Many businesses will not prioritize their security or completely avoid it all together, however, violent crimes, car accidents, parking lot takeovers, and theft are all common risks. 

Property owners and managers hold a duty of care and responsibility to protect your parking lot and those who utilize it, even criminals and intruders.

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

Using our knowledge and years of expertise within parking lot surveillance, we explore the importance of security and five steps you should take to prevent crimes and intruders onto your lot.

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Why is Parking Lot Security Important?

Parking lots may not naturally appear as high-risk environments for crime, however, according to the Bureau of Justice, 1 in 10 property crimes occur in parking lots and garages.

Additionally, the risk of personal property and vehicle theft is greater in parking lots, due to their assumed lack of surveillance and poorly lit spaces that allow criminals to complete illegal activity in peace. 

However, personal property, stores, and vehicles are not the only targets for criminals regarding your parking lot. There’s also dangers related to employees, customers, and visitors who utilize it too.

Violent crimes and theft from a person is more common than you think in parking lots, especially for retail stores where individuals will likely be leaving with store goods. 

Black Friday and other retail events only increase this risk further and you may be held liable for any injuries or violent incidents that take place.

Also, parking lots with high traffic run the risk of car accidents, placing pedestrian safety at risk also. 

All the above examples emphasize the importance of parking lot security, because without it, there’s no possibility of monitoring, preventing, or minimizing the risks presented to them.

And for property owners and managers, the more incidents that occur, the more costly they become to you, in more than just a financial sense. 

Discover More on Why Parking Lots Are Targeted For Crime

Five Steps For Property Managers to Better Parking Lot Security

With such vast challenges, you cannot afford poor parking lot security, however, for many this cost seems both expensive and unnecessary. 

Therefore, you’ll be surprised to know there are several easy steps you can take to keep your parking lot and any users of this safe.

We formed the five essential steps all parking lots should enforce to enhance their security, some of which are easier than you may think.

From our experience, a blended approach involving various security measures is recommended to be able to target the differing challenges you could be faced with.

Complete a Risk Assessment of Your Parking Lot

The first step towards improving your parking lot starts with a risk assessment as this helps to establish the risks your parking lot is facing, and the likelihood of an incident occurring.

Gathering this information will support you in finding the right security measures for you in targeting those issues your lot is dealing with or likely to deal with.

You can carry out this risk assessment yourself or employ a professional to do so, depending on your needs.

There are templates available online to support this, both offered for free and to be purchased.

Throughout, the aim of the assessment is to pinpoint the security weaknesses present currently at your parking lot, the impact of leaving it unaddressed, and those who would 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 to tackle this.

At LotGuard, we have trained experts who can assess your parking lot and establish where our Surveillance Trailers should be placed for maximized security. 

They will also go through the rental options available with us and the flexibility this would provide you with.

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Make 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 criminal 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 your 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. These can also create blindspots which can stop any monitoring system from capturing any intruders.

Ensuring the safety of your employees, visitors, 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.

Improve the Access Control at Your Parking Lot

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 operator who can support them in urgent situations. 

Access Our Complete Guide on Parking Lot Security

Utilize Mobile Video Surveillance Cameras

Mobile surveillance cameras provide a visible deterrent to potential thieves whilst also reassuring your visitors, customers, and employees that their personal safety and vehicles are protected.  

For boosted security, having a system backed by remote video monitoring, allows them to 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.

Our remote video monitoring parking lot surveillance cameras can be deployed to your lots regardless of your current power and internet situation. 

LotGuard’s 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 cellular connectivity, making them completely autonomous.

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

From sirens and live voice-down audio challenges to calling Law Enforcement when needed.

LotGuard can also offer the following enhancements:

• License plate recognition (LPR) cameras
• Thermal cameras

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.

Parking Lot Security FAQs

Take The Next Steps Toward a Safer Parking Lot with LotGuard’s Parking Lot Surveillance

Looking to take the next step in bettering your parking lot’s security? LotGuard’s market-leading Surveillance Trailers are ready to take on the challenge with you.

Designed specifically to boost your parking lot’s security, our units are proven to reduce crime and improve the safety of those utilizing it. 

Start your journey today and get in touch with one of our surveillance experts!

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