Parking Garage Security & Parking Lot Security Safety Tips

Parking Lot Security Patrol

Parking Garage and Parking Lot Security
for office, retail, or apartment building owners

Parking lot security can be a difficult problem for office-retail-apartment property owners to handle. A large percentage of problems & liabilities usually occur in the parking lots; yet, illegal activities there are hard to monitor & control. Property damage or assaults, particularly sexual assaults involving females as the victims, will have a very serious affect on tenant relations.
The purpose of this article is to provide property managers with substantial background information for understanding and dealing with parking facility risks. The assistance of a qualified security professional is also advised to help insure no serious holes exist or practical options are missed in a particular situation.

Reasons for Parking Lot Problems

• Parking lots provide a focal point of potential victims carrying valuables.
• Large populations of females drive alone, especially those working or shopping late at night. They are frequently the only users of parking areas during the evening hours.
• Most parking facilities are open to the public.
• Parking facilities comprise a large volume of space with relatively low levels of activity.
• Parked cars provide hiding places and impede the distribution of lighting.
• An attacker's car is not likely to be noted as strange or memorable in a public parking facility.
• Parking facilities often lack security features because many property owners and architects are not familiar with the basic principles of design concepts for crime prevention.
• If security measures are not incorporated in design and construction stages, then it is often difficult and expensive to upgrade security at a later date.
• Zoning ordinances and building codes sometimes hinder effective use of security principles.

• One of the most important security features is proper illumination. Lighting specifications should meet the standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).
• Elevator lobbies and stairs in open parking garages should provide natural surveillance by being open to the parking areas, except at roof levels where glass enclosures may be provided for weather protection.
• Elevators and stairs should be located on the perimeter to permit natural surveillance from exterior public areas via glass-back elevators and glass at stairs and elevator lobbies.
• Access control and perimeter security should be considered in the initial design stage. Even if the potential site for the parking facility is currently low risk, that risk level could change in the future.
• Emergency communications such as panic buttons and closed circuit television can enhance crime prevention in high-risk facilities. Facilities should be designed (pre-wired) so that such enhancements can be easily installed if needed.
• The best and most cost effective solution to preventing crimes in your parking garage or parking lot and protecting your company, your guests, visitors, and employees is to hire and contract with a professional security guard company.