With the FBI reporting almost 2000 property crimes per 100,000 people, it’s clear that property crime is a huge threat to US citizens. When this type of crime is left unchecked, residents in communities and buildings are vulnerable to their homes being burglarized, valuable items stolen, and their properties being damaged.
Property managers are responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of residents and their property. To achieve this, action must be taken to deter property crime and prevent it from causing disruptions and damage.
Discover the top security tips for property managers to help you take the appropriate steps to increase your properties’ defense and mitigate common crimes. With American Security Force, we can support you in implementing security measures and ensuring their effectiveness.
Common Rental Property Security Threats
As a property manager, you can face several security threats and concerns that need to be addressed, including:
- Loitering – Intruders can idly gather around properties, causing residents and visitors to feel uneasy and reducing the area’s overall appeal.
- Vandalism – Delinquents and other offenders can tag areas with graffiti or engage in other acts of vandalism that target walls, driveways, and vehicles.
- Property Damage – Breaking windows and damaging doors are common forms of property damage that not only affect the aesthetics of the rental property but also compromise its security.
- Burglary – Thieves and burglars often target rental properties to steal personal valuables or even appliances and fixtures.
Top Security Tips for Property Managers to Increase Safety
Property managers can address concerns and safety risks to ensure peace of mind throughout their properties by incorporating these top tips into their security approaches.
1. Communicate With Residents
Residents must be kept informed regarding evolving security threats and implemented procedures to ensure their safety and cooperation. For example, if nearby areas are experiencing high levels of burglary, the property manager should inform residents of this development and assure them of the planned measures to protect them.
Property managers can facilitate open and effective communication by sending updates via emails or text messages, organizing meetings, and displaying posters or flyers throughout the properties.
It’s equally important to keep residents updated with planned construction, maintenance, or renovations, where contractors will enter and operate on the premises. This prevents unnecessary panic and confusion among residents while ensuring the smooth completion of projects.
2. Conduct Regular Maintenance
All properties should be adequately maintained to ensure their longevity and safety, minimizing potential opportunities for criminals to capitalize on vulnerabilities. For example, overgrown hedges and trees can present criminals with hiding spots who aim to breach and exit the premises. Arranging for regular trimming ensures greater visibility and a clear line of sight, preventing offenders from exploiting these hiding spots.
Property managers must also ensure all doors, windows, locks, and fences are maintained and secure to restrict unauthorized access. Consulting a reputable security service to conduct a risk assessment allows property managers to gain insight into their property’s risk level and weak points, enabling targeted action to be taken.
3. Add Lighting Fixtures
Poor lighting in residential areas can create opportunities for criminal activity by providing cover for offenders. Burglars can lurk in dark areas and breach properties undetected, jeopardizing the safety of residents. Dimly lit locations can also make residents feel unsafe when walking to their cars or commuting during late and early hours.
Additional lighting fixtures should be installed to make the area more attractive for residents and visitors while reducing opportunities for outsiders to commit crimes without being caught. LED lighting is particularly bright and cost-effective to run, but property managers should assess their property’s size, layout, and specific needs to implement strategically placed lighting fixtures to minimize waste and unnecessary expenses.
4. Install Surveillance Systems
Surveillance systems can deter and detect illegal acts, increasing safety on the premises and ensuring that any trespassers, thieves, or other criminals are held accountable for their actions. Various security cameras can be installed throughout the property, including in car parking lots, garages, reception areas, garbage disposal areas, utility rooms, and recreational areas.
Property managers can remotely access these cameras to review footage in real-time to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and quick response to threats. Solar-powered cameras can also be installed in outdoor areas to reduce ongoing power expenses, as these cameras only require sunlight to operate.
When implementing surveillance systems, property managers must consider the privacy of residents and avoid placing any cameras in sensitive areas. Informing residents about the presence, purpose, and location of cameras can also help maintain trust.
5. Implement Access Control Systems
Access control systems conveniently manage entry to and exit from various premises, facilities, and rooms. Similar to surveillance cameras, electronic access control systems can be remotely monitored, allowing property managers to oversee their premises and all individuals from any location.
Access can be automatically granted or denied, depending on the request, and residents are permitted to enter the premises through biometric readers, key cards, access cards, or other authentication methods. Visitors to the property can also receive temporary access codes or cards, ensuring their ability to enter designated areas without compromising the overall security of the property.
Property managers can track entry and exit logs to gain valuable insights into movement patterns within the property. This information can be used to enhance safety protocols, respond to incidents, and improve the overall management of the premises’ security.
6. Utilize Intrusion Detection Alarms
If unauthorized individuals attempt to breach the premises, property managers and authorities can be immediately notified through intrusion detection systems. During these instances, alarms are triggered and instant notifications are sent to relevant individuals, allowing a quick response to the area where the incident occurs.
Intrusion detection alarms can be strategically placed at entry points such as doors, windows, and gates to detect any unauthorized access attempts. These alarms are equipped with sensors that detect movement, glass breakage, or forced entry. Once an alarm is triggered, it can sound a loud siren to deter the intruder and alert nearby residents, giving them an opportunity to navigate to a safe area.
Protect Residents and Buildings as a Property Manager With American Security Force
Get in touch with American Security Force today or explore our services to find out how you can defend your properties and residents as a property manager.
Our sophisticated security technology can be tactically implemented throughout your premises to deter criminals, mitigate risks, and make your residents and visitors feel safe. We tailor our solutions to each client, so rest assured that your security strategy will be perfectly suited to your unique needs.
With our help, managing security and ensuring safety as a property manager is simple, reliable, and cost-effective.
