With inflation running out of control and people becoming ever more desperate to come up with the cash they need to survive today’s tough economic climate, property crime has spiked in the US. With sites like Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, it’s never been easier for thieves to sell their stolen goods for cash.
“Property crimes like theft, burglary and vehicle theft cost U.S. businesses $17.2 billion every year.” - FBI
While you can’t control inflation or the economy, you have a wealth of control over the measures you take to keep your business safe from thieves. Here are some real-life perimeter security solutions you can use to keep thieves off your property and out of your profits.
1. Install security cameras
Would you be more likely to “do the right thing” if you knew you were being watched? Probably so, and so do thieves. Installing security cameras at your business deters crime by letting thieves know that they’re being watched and recorded, increasing the chances they’ll be caught.
2. Amp up your outdoor lighting
“3 out of 4 commercial burglaries happen at locations without adequate lighting.”
There’s a reason you leave some lights on when you leave town and only want to park in well-lighted
parking lots: Light deters crime. Consider adding commercial property lighting to your property,
particularly around your perimeter, in areas where high-value items or vehicles are stored, and at
doors and gates.
3. Reinforce doors and windows
If thieves were able to outsmart your perimeter security solutions, their next step would be to break into your buildings via doors and windows. For doors, it’s easy enough for an experienced burglar to kick in a flimsy door without a heavy-duty, commercial-quality deadbolt. Make sure to reinforce all your exterior doors with solid metal frames, commercial-grade locks, and deadbolts.
For windows, you can add security film to make them more resistant to break-ins and buy your security team precious minutes to get to the scene before a thief can make off with some of your valuable property.
4. Fortify your perimeter security
Thieves can’t help themselves to your valuable inventory, equipment or vehicles if they can’t get onto your property in the first place. Your commercial perimeter security system is what keeps the thieves at bay. The best perimeter security solutions are layered, with multiple levels of stopping power including a metal fence, an electric security fence, security cameras, and an alarm system.
A word about electric security fences – A metal fence is a good crime deterrent, but it’s easily cut with a bolt cutter. An electric security fence, on the other hand, is impenetrable. With 7,000 volts of stopping power unleashed at a touch, there is no way to breach an electric fence.
5. Install an alarm system
“According to a UNC research study, 60% of burglars will seek an alternate target if they discover that their intended target has an alarm system.”
An alarm system is a powerful crime deterrent, so if you don’t have one, get one. And if you already have one as part of your perimeter security solution, make sure it’s working and updated with the latest software. Don’t forget to prominently post signs advertising that your property is protected by an alarm system.
A word about electric security fences – A metal fence is a good crime deterrent, but it’s easily cut with a bolt cutter. An electric security fence, on the other hand, is impenetrable. With 7,000 volts of stopping power unleashed at a touch, there is no way to breach an electric fence.
6. Asses your landscaping
Believe it or not, thieves can use bushes and trees as hiding spots when accessing your property. Keep your landscaping neat and trimmed, always maintaining a clear line of sight from the street to your business.
7. Invest in remote monitoring
You can’t always be on the property, but you can keep an eye on your business 24/7 with remote monitoring. Remote monitoring allows you to watch your security cameras at any time, day or night, no matter where you are. You’ll also receive real-time alerts for unusual activity or potential security breaches.
If you don’t want to be responsible for keeping up with security monitoring and getting alerts in the middle of the night, US-based security monitoring by a third party like AMAROK can watch over your property for you, so you can relax.
8. Record serial numbers
Always keep a list of the serial numbers for valuable electronics and equipment on your property. This information can aid in recovery if items are stolen and may also be useful when filing insurance claims.
9. Keep your emergency contact information up to date
What makes a break-in worse? Not knowing about it, so broken windows and insurance claims go unaddressed for days. Always keep your contact information up to date with your perimeter security provider. It never hurts to give it to your neighbors, too, in case of an emergency.
10. Stay vigilant!
Crime trends change. Make sure you stay informed of what’s happening in your community so you can adjust security measures accordingly.
Want to know if your site is at risk?
Schedule your complimentary Threat Assessment today. An AMAROK security expert with assess your property, look at your current security system, expose hidden vulnerabilities that thieves could exploit, and help you develop a plan to keep your job site safe – all for free!
