No business is immune to attempted criminal activities, but vacant properties are often the preferred target for intruders looking to steal copper and other high-value items. These properties pose significant risks to owners and the surrounding communities. As a business owner or manager, you want to secure any unoccupied site from theft, vandalism, and loitering before security challenges become more complex.
Knowing how to secure a vacant property is essential to deter criminal behavior. It’s important to understand what makes your property vulnerable and how to address these issues. The right physical security strategy can reduce the likelihood of theft and other security concerns, allowing you to maintain the integrity and profitability of your site.
The Risks to Unprotected Vacant Properties
Copper has grown in value by 30% over the past five years, and the demand for this material in developing nations has created a robust international trade. As the global supply of copper continues to tighten, the opportunity for thieves to sell it on the resell market will likely increase. Unoccupied properties are a hot spot for copper theft, since copper is present in HVAC systems, electrical connections, and other appliances. These appliances contain other metals, and even scrap metals can fetch high prices on the resell market.
Vacant properties are also targets for activities like vandalism and loitering. Vandals can do extensive damage, which requires costly repairs. Empty buildings may attract curious children and teens, and if they become injured while on your property, your business could potentially face legal repercussions. Without security for your empty building, it could even become a location for criminals to conduct illegal activities.
Any of the above occurrences could have far-reaching implications for your business. In addition to the costs associated with repairs, replacements, and potential legal disputes, you may contend with reputational damage and rising insurance premiums.
Examples of Vacant Properties That Are Prime Targets for Criminals
Criminals target properties based on opportunity and ease of access. Certain conditions make commercial properties a prime target, and a lack of occupancy is among the most prevalent of these conditions. Some properties are more attractive targets than others, including:
- Construction sites that sit vacant when employees are off work
- Equipment rental sites during the offseason
- Warehouse facilities where vehicular and foot traffic fluctuates seasonally
- Infrequently patrolled parking lots, like rental car lots, airport parking, and commercial truck yards
5 Common Vacant Property Security Vulnerabilities
In 2023, around 6.42 million property crimes were reported in the U.S., and criminals continue to target properties that present ample opportunity to get in and out undetected.
The top five most common security vulnerabilities on vacant properties are:
1. Open Spaces and Unclear Boundaries
Large open areas with no boundaries can attract loitering, illegal dumping, and more serious crimes. Intruders can move freely through your space undetected, and once trespassers have accessed the property, removing them often requires taking legal action.
2. Weak Access Points
Access points are often unmonitored on a vacant property, which is one of the first things intruders look for when selecting a target. With no one to monitor their movements, theft becomes easier. They can quickly breach weak locks and gain access to the valuable materials within the property. Over time, this unchecked entry degrades locks, door frames, and windows, making it easier for them to gain subsequent entry.
3. Poor Lighting and Visibility
Poor lighting and even flickering lights lead to decreased visibility, which makes it easier for criminals and trespassers to hide. A lack of lighting can draw more attention to a vacant property as an attractive target. In addition, many empty properties and buildings often receive very little to no maintenance — when the grounds are unattended, criminals can enter under the cover of overgrown vegetation.
4. Debris and Visible Materials
Depending on the nature of your business, your vacant property may be the site of many potentially valuable items, including tools and equipment. These items are attractive targets for would-be thieves. Intruders may also dump on your property, which adds to the level of debris.
5. Weather Exposure
Severe weather can accelerate wear and tear on any building. Even the smallest issues can turn into weaknesses if not addressed, enabling easier access for would-be criminals. Visual evidence of weather damage signals to potential intruders that the property is vacant or uncared for, which may encourage opportunistic thieves to attempt access.
How to Protect a Vacant Property from Theft
Protecting a vacant property requires a multi-layered approach to perimeter security. The following strategies can mitigate the risks associated with owning or managing an unoccupied commercial property:
Conduct a Comprehensive Threat Assessment
Your property’s risk level depends on several factors, including its location, current physical security posture, and layout. Consult with experienced security professionals so they can conduct a thorough evaluation of your property, identify potential vulnerabilities, and analyze local crime data. A threat assessment gives you the full picture of the potential for theft, vandalism, and other crimes, allowing you to make informed decisions about your security strategy.
Protect Your Perimeter
Robust perimeter security is the first line of defense for your vacant property. An effective barrier between your property and intruders is also a deterrent to make them think twice about entering. An electric fence inside your existing fencing is intimidating for any potential intruder. If they attempt access, they receive a safe yet memorable pulsed electric shock, which is enough to stop them from trying again.
Warning signs along your electric security fence drive home the message, stopping access attempts before they happen. You can also customize your electric fencing to enhance protection based on the risks uncovered in your threat assessment. For example, add angled fencing to keep criminals from throwing anything over and/or integrate lay-down fencing to prevent attempts to dig underneath.
Integrate Additional Physical Security Layers
In addition to electric fencing, you can strengthen your perimeter defenses with solutions that amplify your overall physical security, including:
- Alarm-based lighting: Installing alarm-based lighting eliminates opportunities for criminals to act under cover of darkness. Alarm-based lighting systems activate once the fence alarm is triggered by unauthorized activity along the electric fence. The fence alarm sets off a rapid response that floods the area with light. The system also alerts security personnel to any threats.
- Video surveillance and remote video monitoring: Video surveillance cameras provide visual verification and evidence of intrusion in the event of an attempted breach, which is essential to call law enforcement to your site. Because the property is vacant, remote video monitoring gives you peace of mind that someone is watching the perimeter around the clock. Trained security professionals monitor the feed, and you can also check in on your property from anywhere.
- Building intrusion detection: After securing your perimeter, you can turn your attention to any buildings on the property. Intrusion detection denies access to weak points with motion or door contacts that alarm on entry attempts, providing an additional layer of security.
Stop Theft Before It Happens With AMAROK
With an effective physical security strategy, you can protect your vacant site from various types of property crime. Nothing stops crime like The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence, which is why more than 8,000 customers rely on AMAROK for industry-leading perimeter security solutions.
Combine The Electric Guard Dog Fence with our range of security integrations to effectively deter criminal activity and eliminate the need for security guards on your unoccupied property.
Contact us for a threat assessment and let us help you choose the most effective security solutions for your unique needs.
