How to Prevent Parking Lot Theft With Security Solutions

Kerry Gibson

Modern commerce demands convenient parking solutions. Operations ranging from manufacturing and distribution hubs supplying goods to data centers securing informational assets need to have parking available for employees and guests.

Yet, the layout and location of many parking areas create natural opportunities for thieves. Isolated stairwells, dark corners, and remote spaces provide security challenges and weaknesses for criminals to exploit. Understanding the importance of parking lot security and how to maximize it helps your business reduce its risk exposure.

The Importance of Parking Lot Theft Prevention

Parking lot crimes are common nationwide and include fundamental offenses like:

Larceny — the removal of parts or personal belongings from vehicles.
Armed robbery — the taking of items of value using force.
Theft of a parked vehicle.

The most current data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows that 1,020,729 vehicle thefts occurred in 2023. California saw the highest number of vehicle thefts nationwide, with 208,668 stolen vehicle reports, while the District of Columbia has the highest theft rate of 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people.

While any parking area can experience crime, some properties naturally attract more thieves. These include businesses like:

Financial costs arising from theft can be substantial. Businesses may lose their assets or be liable for reimbursing their customers. Reputational damage also translates to lost revenue if customers turn to a competitor.

Time devoted to filing claims with insurance companies can erode profitability too. Every minute you spend on the task means less time for growing your business. Additionally, your insurance costs will likely increase. A single car theft can raise premiums by 20% — and that’s if your carrier even approves the claim.

Crimes could also create a hazardous environment for your team members. What if a thief approached your staff, or they caught a criminal in the act? As the employer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) makes you responsible for a safe workplace. Physical harm to an employee from a known and preventable hazard could lead to legal liabilities and OSHA penalties.

Security guards alone aren’t enough to detect, deter, and delay criminals. In larger parking lots, observant thieves can time their crimes. They simply wait to act until guards’ rounds take them to the other side of the property.

Fortunately, highly effective parking lot security solutions exist, especially when integrated as part of a comprehensive, layered strategy. A thorough property threat assessment will help you design multilevel protection solutions that address your specific risks.

8 Solutions for Improved, Layered Parking Lot Security

Consider implementing combinations of the measures below based on your property and guests’ needs.

1. Fencing

Fencing forms the bedrock of effective perimeter security. Aside from access control, it’s the only solution that proactively keeps criminals off your property. For example, options like video surveillance won’t deter a determined thief who believes the reward outweighs the risks.

Choose from various construction materials that simultaneously boost aesthetic appeal and parking lot security. Examples include:

Wood
Vinyl
Stone
Composite
Concrete
Metal

Further, all the materials listed above are compatible with an electric fencing system installed within the existing outer one. Nothing stops crime like a safe, legal electric fence, which provides a physical barrier and visual deterrent. Pulsed electricity and controlled current deliver a safe but memorable shock that makes criminals think twice about attempting a breach.

Electric fencing also integrates with other security layers to create a comprehensive strategy. For extra peace of mind, add FORTIFEYE™ or fence alarms and lighting to draw attention to criminal activity. Various enhancements can increase your electric fence’s performance even more. Consider options like angled fencing and lay-down fencing that prevent thieves from accessing the property from above or by digging beneath.

As another benefit, electric perimeter fencing is more cost-effective and practical than security guard patrols. It’s on duty 24/7/365, with no need for salary increases, benefits, breaks, or paid time off. By replacing existing guard crews with electric fencing, businesses can save tens of thousands annually without sacrificing protection. Security-as-a-service models save even more, allowing you to customize your system with expert help and pay one monthly subscription fee. This approach lets you avoid substantial capital investments and write off the costs as an operating expense.

2. Lighting

While not all crime happens at night, car theft and armed robberies are more likely to occur then. The reason is simple — darkness makes these activities and threats more challenging to identify. As a result, lighting is a fundamental way to boost security in parking lots.

Lights naturally increase visibility, which deters crime and makes safe navigation easier. Additionally, passers-by can better observe happenings within the lot, serving as a form of natural surveillance. A bright, well-lit area also instills comfort in visitors to the property.

Choose ultrabright LED bulbs for energy efficiency and pair them with automatic sensors for more cost-effectiveness. It’s also prudent to think about backup power sources to ensure continued visibility during outages. Lighting types and installation areas to consider include:

Floodlights at parking facility entries and exits
Small directional lights for all signage
Spotlights near security cameras to enhance video clarity and footage visibility
Wall-mounted options along your perimeter
Area lights placed evenly throughout the lot between parking spaces

Additionally, you can find options that seamlessly integrate lighting with alarm systems. When a thief sets off the alarm, they also trigger spotlights nearby, providing more incentive to flee.

3. Video Surveillance and Monitoring

Surveillance cameras add another layer of security to a multipronged strategy. While they aren’t stand-alone solutions to preventing crime, security cameras offer key benefits:

Real-time visibility
Visual deterrence
Dual verification for law enforcement response
Image capture and archival

Today’s options offer more versatility than ever, as you can invest in:

Pan-tilt-zoom styles that can automatically adjust to provide 360-degree visibility.
Motion- and voice-activated models that respond to activity and emergencies within a defined area.
License plate recognition options powered by artificial intelligence that capture traffic.
Two-way audio cameras that allow security teams to warn criminals that their presence is known.
Wide Dynamic Range styles that automatically balance contrast to eliminate glare.
Fixed, damage- and tamper-resistant security cameras to cover doorways and stairwells.

To enhance video surveillance further, consider adding 24/7 remote video monitoring to your camera system. This proactive approach leverages highly trained professionals and video analytics to watch over your property around the clock. The combination helps identify potential threats sooner, enabling immediate response to limit the scope of an incident.

4. Access Control

Access control is a foundational principle in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory. This framework stresses using physical barriers to manage property traffic, helping deter and delay unauthorized access.

Common access control measures range from stationary fixtures to manual authorizations and automatic electronic solutions, including:

Door locks requiring a code
Credential readers for badges, key fobs, or QR codes
Staffed entry and exit points
Bollards
One-way spike strips
Intercoms and video cameras

Gates are another popular access control solution and come in numerous styles to meet your parking area’s needs. These options integrate with other measures for layered protection. Some examples include:

Roll-up parking garage security gates with license plate recognition technology.
Sliding gates with badge readers or code entry boxes.
Boom-arm gates with manual guard authorization.

When designing the right access control strategy for your property, it’s best to consider exits as carefully as entries. Parking areas that manage departing traffic are less attractive to thieves who want a quick way out. The more challenging it is to plan a clean exit after criminal activity, the less likely a thief will target your business.

5. Signage

Signage is a fundamental way to boost parking lot security by providing crucial information for guests and warning would-be criminals. Examples of signs to consider include:

Areas where parking is prohibited and towing policies.
Wayfinding solutions to help authorized visitors navigate their paths successfully.
Reminders for patrons to lock their doors, remove personal belongings, and avoid leaving valuables in their vehicles.
Visual deterrents that warn of security measures in use on the property, such as video surveillance or roving patrols.
Markers for restricted-access areas or entryways.
Emergency contact information for local authorities or property management.
Locations of emergency equipment, call boxes, or beacons.
Row numbers or letters that help visitors remember where they parked.
Instructions for payment and locations of payment kiosks.
Hours of operation.
Activities prohibited on the property.

Depending on your security strategy and jurisdiction, you may be required to post other signage. For example, California parking lots that install electric perimeter fences must follow Civil Code Section 835 Chapter 9 regulations. These laws mandate a warning sign at least every 30 feet. Similar rules can apply at municipal levels, so it’s vital to research what your local authorities require.

Once you’ve chosen and installed your signs, revisit your lighting approach to ensure they’re readily visible at all hours.

6. Emergency Stations

Unexpected events occur in parking facilities, whether a stolen vehicle, theft of belongings, or a criminal threat. When emergencies arise, people want to know help is readily available. Emergency stations provide that assistance, putting guests into contact with a professional immediately to facilitate an appropriate response.

Modern options range from wall-mounted call boxes to towers with push-button beacons that quickly pinpoint the requester’s location. Cameras with intercom capabilities are also available, providing security personnel with real-time video footage to inform their response. When designing an emergency station strategy, consider the following:

Place stations equidistant throughout the lot to ensure one is nearby when someone’s in need.
Add directional signage and lighting so a patron can easily locate and use the system, day or night.
Evaluate the traffic volume nearby — remote areas may require more planning to ensure visibility and accessibility.

Of course, not every occurrence is a genuine emergency or presents an immediate threat. Post instructions near stations for requesting non-emergency assistance, such as flat tires or dead batteries. You can also provide alternate reporting methods for suspicious vehicles, persons, or activity to avoid confrontations with potential intruders.

7. Employee Training

Your employees, whether vehicle owners or hired security personnel, are key to preventing parking lot crimes on your property. Educating them on suspicious behaviors and empowering them to escalate their concerns can help stop theft. Encourage them to be observant and report unusual behavior like:

Vehicles that change spaces frequently throughout the day.
People who approach an employee and ask questions about security, staffing, and hours.
Cars that are parked for unusually long periods with someone inside.
Vehicles that circle the property or enter and exit repeatedly without parking.
Anyone attempting to open multiple vehicles’ door handles or removing license plates.
People leaning against vehicles, circling them, or looking inside them as they meander the lot.
Those exhibiting nervous tendencies, like continuously looking around or fixing their clothing.
Drivers entering or exiting the lot at night without headlights on.
After-hours loiterers.
Sounds that could indicate criminal activity, such as glass breaking.
Impersonators — for example, someone dressed as a security guard when your property doesn’t employ them.

It’s also prudent to invest in basic safety education for your staff so they can navigate potential threats more confidently. Guidance to consider includes:

Choose smart parking spaces nearest the building and underneath lighting whenever possible.
Stay aware of the surroundings and report people or activity that seems suspicious.
Avoid distractions like smartphones while traveling through the lot.
Do not approach or enter a vehicle with visible signs of damage, such as a broken window or slashed tires.
Know how to activate emergency beacons, a vehicle’s panic alarm, or a cell phone’s emergency SOS setting.
Have keys handy before reaching the vehicle, and exit the lot promptly.
Always lock vehicles when exiting, and remove valuables or leave them at home.

8. Property and Equipment Maintenance

Keeping your parking lot well-maintained and looking its best is another way to help promote higher security.

For example, many companies invest in landscaping to improve their parking area’s visual appeal and add a physical barrier against entry. Trim and control the vegetation to help eliminate hiding places. Allowing excess debris or abandoned vehicles to collect on the property poses similar issues with concealment possibilities. Quickly clearing them shows visitors and would-be criminals that you care about the area and pay attention to it.

You’ll also want to design a strategy for regular equipment maintenance, ensuring each component of your layered approach is functional. Develop a property upkeep checklist that includes regular inspections of the following and any other critical items:

Lightbulbs and fixtures
Surveillance cameras and wires
Access control solutions and credential readers
Intercoms
Emergency stations and call boxes
Signage

Contact your trusted property maintenance or security system professionals for any items that appear to need replacement or repair.

Secure Your Parking Lot Perimeter With AMAROK

Protecting your business and its reputation means investing in effective, layered parking lot security solutions. Start at the perimeter with AMAROK and benefit from security-as-a-service that comes at a manageable monthly fee. Our safe, legal, and proven electric fencing options and integrated systems stop 99% of external theft for over 8,000 businesses. Let us do the same for you with no upfront installation, maintenance, or repair costs.

Learn how we outperform security guards and save money by contacting your local security expert or reaching out online.