7 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Property And Tenants.

As a property management company that manages a diverse range of property types in varying locations, security, and your implementation of it, can be equally as unique and/or difficult to dial in. Many properties seem to be crime magnets and if it's not one security breach, then it's another. So with that in mind..

Here are 7 ways to improve your property’s and tenant’s security from most cost effective to the lease cost effective:

1. Install bright lights.

Dark areas on the property are opportune spots for crime to take place. If you install bright lights in all dark areas of the property you can help to mitigate that crime from even beginning. Supplement with motion lights as well and you'll catch criminals off-guard. If you are a criminal and want to successfully pull off a crime, you aren't going to want to do it under a bright light where people or cameras can see you.

2. Install security gates.

Your security gates should automatically close and lock themselves when a tenant leaves. If the fence or security gate is gapless, (Flush with the building) that is best-case scenario. However, if that isn't possible, an 8 feet high fence is your next best option. All security gates should either be solid metal or wrought iron with metal mesh bolted from the inside so that people can’t climb the fence or reach inside to unlock the gate. Always use a commercial lock set and not a residential lock as most commercial locks are significantly better at preventing break-ins.

3. Install laminated glass windows.

Replace windows that are accessible from the public right of way with laminated glass windows (My contractor calls them lami-glass). A proper laminated glass window is essentially a sheet of plastic between two panes of glass. If the window is broken, the sheet of plastic is more likely to hold the window in place, stopping or significantly slowing down the would-be burglar from getting inside. It’s about 25-30% more expensive than regular glass, but well worth it. This option isn't bullet proof, but you will sleep better at night.

4. Install a monitored alarm.

If your property has areas that are typically locked up at night such as an office or a community center, alarms are ideal for improving security. Common areas may be difficult to install alarms because tenants and/or their clients (If it’s a commercial property) may be using the space after hours which would set off the alarm constantly. In that case, you're better off installing bright lighting to prevent crime in the first place. Any alarm you install should be monitored unless you plan to get up in the middle of the night and take on the crime yourself as a masked vigilante.

5. Install cameras.

Installing cameras is mostly a crime deterrent. This option will pretty much only stop people from committing crimes if they have a conscious (Normal people). 99 times out of 100, the police aren’t going to do be able to do anything even if you catch a full high definition shot of the criminal’s face. Cameras are more useful for catching your neighbors throwing dog poop over their fence into your yard.

6. Install monitored cameras.

If a company like ADT is monitoring your cameras, they can send an armed guard if they see a security threat. The downside of this option is if the monitored security company misses the security threat and arrives to the scene too late to do anything, then you are stuck paying for the monitored camera system, security guard and any property repairs that must be made. This is a very expensive option, but not the most expensive option.

 7. Hire security guards.

This is the most expensive option, and in my experience, the least cost effective. Only after you’ve tried the above methods should you hire a security guard. It’s expensive and there are a lot of inherent flaws with having a person who can get tired or hungry who is supposed to be keeping an eye out for your property or tenants. Also, security guards are not above being persuaded by criminals or even getting involved in the crime themselves. This option is only as good as the company you hire and the contract that you have with them.