Car theft is a persistent threat in the United States, with California ranking among the states experiencing the highest rates of motor vehicle theft.
As vehicle values climb, cars have become an even bigger draw for thieves. Dealerships face unique risks, making it increasingly important to invest in strong security and surveillance systems that protect their inventory and help deter criminal activity.
Common Crimes Affecting Car Dealerships
Automotive dealerships have always faced serious security challenges due to their expansive inventory and large lots, giving criminals motivation to steal vehicles, parts, or valuable equipment, and the opportunity to infiltrate the premises undetected.
In recent years, car thieves have become more aggressive in their methods and repeated attempts.
In one case, a man from Alabama returned to the same dealership four times to steal cars. Other dealerships have reported criminals breaking in and taking multiple sets of keys, and one Cleveland dealer claimed to have lost up to 21 sets, costing hundreds of dollars to replace.
In Pitt County, the owner of a dealership reported thieves stealing seven vehicles worth around $200,000 after breaking in and picking the lock on a safe. The financial loss forced the business to close and file for bankruptcy.
While vehicle theft remains the primary concern, dealerships also deal with:
- Trespassing
- Theft of fuel, parts, or equipment
- Property damage
- Vandalism
- Organised Crime
Upgrading security can make a real difference in deterring and preventing these criminal acts. A strong security defense will save you from expensive setbacks, wasted time, and the frustration that comes with recovering from theft or damage.
What Are the Best Security Solutions for Automotive Dealerships?
Every automotive dealership has different security goals, concerns, and priorities, so the best security solutions will vary between businesses.
Several key factors will impact which security measures your dealership should implement, such as:
- Location: Dealerships in remote locations will face more challenges due to the limited presence of law enforcement.
- Premise size: Larger premises are more challenging to monitor and lead to high costs for certain security solutions to be effectively implemented.
- Specific security concerns: If a dealership has specific safety concerns, such as high levels of trespassing, this will influence which security solutions it should prioritize.
- Security services budget: Automotive dealerships will have varying budgets and will need to choose security measures that align with their financial limitations.
- Current safety measures: If certain safety measures are already in place, businesses can use new security solutions to address any gaps or weaknesses.
Automotive Dealership Security Guards
Security guards are one of the best ways to deter crimes and protect a dealership’s premises. These guards can protect assets and individuals by watching for suspicious behavior, patrolling the premises, responding to security or safety incidents, and contacting authorities when necessary.
Benefits of Security Guards
There are several key advantages to employing dealership security guards:
- Deterrence: Security guards are able to deter illegal and unwanted activity with their presence. With a guard patrolling the area, individuals will be less likely to trespass, steal, or otherwise jeopardize the safety of a car dealership.
- Human intervention: When a security guard is on premises during a medical emergency or another situation that requires human intervention, they can respond quickly to provide aid, de-escalate conflicts, and coordinate with authorities or emergency responders.
- Adaptability: Unlike other security measures that need to be installed or configured, security guards can be deployed instantly and adjust their routes and procedures to address changing security concerns.
For example, guards can adjust their patrol patterns during special events, high-traffic sales periods, or when new inventory arrives, ensuring areas with higher risk receive more attention.
Drawbacks of Security Guards
Using security guards also has several drawbacks that businesses should be aware of before making a decision.
- Expensive – Security guards undergo extensive training and, as a result, are expensive to hire. Many businesses may also have to pay additional expenses to employ security guards, such as insurance coverage, benefits, overtime wages, and uniforms.
- Limited surveillance – When patrolling an automotive dealership, security guards will walk a predefined route. Since they can only be at one location at a time, there is potential for guards to miss security threats.
Criminals may use this to their advantage and enter a dealership’s premises unauthorized when they know they’re out of the guard’s line of sight.
Automotive Dealership Video Surveillance Systems
Video surveillance systems typically consist of a network of cameras placed throughout the dealership to monitor key areas. The cameras capture high-resolution video footage in real time and can be configured to record continuously or be triggered by motion detection.
Benefits of Video Surveillance
Video surveillance can provide automotive dealerships and similar businesses with a unique set of advantages regarding safety.
- Continuous monitoring – Covering large areas and recording 24/7, video surveillance systems can monitor an automotive dealership without any breaks or disruptions. Due to this, businesses can capture footage and oversee their premises across all lighting and weather conditions.
- Cost-effective – Video surveillance systems are typically one of the most affordable security solutions for businesses.
While installing cameras and similar systems can incur initial upfront costs, there are no recurring expenses aside from periodic maintenance, making them lower cost than hiring security guards.
- Evidence collection – After incidents such as accidents, theft, or disputes, video surveillance footage provides compelling evidence to aid businesses during legal proceedings or insurance claims.
Video footage from surveillance cameras can also support investigations, as investigators can use captured footage to determine the sequence of events and identify any individuals involved after a security incident.
Drawbacks of Video Surveillance
Despite these advantages, video surveillance systems also have their own set of limitations.
- Privacy concerns – Employees and customers may feel uncomfortable being recorded or monitored by video surveillance, and the usage of these systems can raise certain privacy concerns.
Businesses will need to make efforts to prevent feelings of discomfort if cameras are installed and always adhere to relevant privacy laws.
- Blind spots – Opting for video surveillance can result in blind spots due to camera placement limitations or environmental obstructions, which can leave car dealerships more vulnerable in certain areas.
One way to address this is by combining fixed security cameras with mobile surveillance trailers. These security trailers feature tall masts with mounted cameras that capture wide, elevated views of the lot, covering areas standard systems might miss. They can be repositioned as needed, giving dealerships added flexibility.
- Tampering vulnerability – Video surveillance systems are susceptible to tampering by criminals trying to evade detection or conceal their actions.
Hackers may attempt to infiltrate the system remotely to disable or manipulate cameras, while physical tampering, such as covering or damaging cameras, can prevent the video surveillance system from capturing footage.
Combining Security Guards and Video Surveillance for Robust Car Dealership Security
Both security guards and video surveillance systems can be implemented to maximize safety across an automotive dealership’s premises. Each brings unique strengths, and when used together, they create a more complete security strategy.
Security guards are particularly useful for dealerships dealing with high crime risks, such as trespassing and vandalism. Their visible presence can deter criminals from entering the premises, while also reassuring customers and staff and supporting the dealership’s reputation.
Video surveillance systems excel at providing consistent coverage across the property. Cameras placed at key entry points and sensitive areas capture high-quality footage, supporting investigations and helping ensure criminals are held accountable. Surveillance is also cost-effective and can monitor areas that guards may not be able to cover continuously.
Rather than choosing one over the other, many dealerships find the best results come from combining both. Guards can respond immediately to incidents detected on camera, while surveillance systems document events and expand coverage. Together, they provide a balanced security presence that protects inventory, staff, and customers more effectively than either solution alone.
Keeping Your Automotive Dealership Safe From Security Threats
Security guards and video surveillance systems each have their own strengths, and when combined, they provide a powerful way to protect valuable assets across your dealership.
At American Security Force, we offer both professional security guard services and advanced surveillance systems, along with a range of additional security solutions tailored to the automotive industry.
Get in touch with us today, and we’ll work with you to design and implement proactive measures that fit your business’s specific security needs and give you confidence that your property is protected.
