Parking lots have become an indispensable element of shopping, commercial, and retail spaces. Beyond mere spaces, they demand foolproof security. Canadian parking lot owners often grapple with security challenges. Fear not—we’ve got you covered with our top ten ways to secure a parking lot, whether large or small.
In this blog, discover the critical role a well-illuminated lot plays in thwarting criminals. Enhanced detection capabilities through CCTV cameras are also explored.
Uncover the impact of warning signs and strategic signage on bolstering security. Explore how remote video monitoring, with its adept operators and audio interventions, can swiftly address security breaches.
As a bonus, we’ve thrown in a few extra points for your next parking lot visit.
So, let’s dive in.
Security Challenges at Parking Lots:
Whether you own a compact parking garage or a sophisticated multi-story parking lot capable of housing 1,000 cars, the security challenges remain consistent. Thieves, vandals, and loiterers are drawn to these spaces like magnets.
Startling statistics revealed by Global News show car theft rates skyrocketing across Canadian cities. The numbers speak volumes — a staggering 50% increase in vehicle thefts in Quebec year over year, and a 48.3% surge in Ontario. Additionally, there has been a 34.5% spike in Atlantic Canada and an 18.3% rise in Alberta.
Loiterers also pose a significant threat, such as graffiti or catalytic converter theft, which can fetch a considerable sum when sold. Allstate Insurance Company reveals a staggering surge in catalytic converter theft claims, skyrocketing by a staggering 1,700% between 2018 and 2022.
Parking lot areas that are dull and dim are hotspots for criminal activity due to poorly lit zones, shadowy stairwells, and limited camera coverage. All these factors make parking lots a perfect setting for criminal activity.
Here we have highlighted the top 10 ways to secure a parking space lot and ensure a fortress of protection for both vehicles and individuals.
Top 10 Proven Ways to Secure a Parking Space Lot:
Here are our tried and tested top 10 strategies that will help you to secure parking lots:
1. Illuminate Your Parking Lot:
Parking lots that are well-illuminated reduce the risk of accidents, discourage criminal activity, and enhance overall safety for both pedestrians and drivers. To enhance durability and deter the tampering of lights, you can mount them on robust steel poles.
It is also important to take into consideration the color and intensity of the light, for example cool white or neutral white light. This will help to maintain uniformity and better glare control.
LED bulbs and halogen lights are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option to effectively minimize blind spots.
In addition to automatic and manual lighting options, you can elevate your choices with motion-activated lights, perfect for detecting intruders, or opt for timer-controlled lights for hassle-free daytime operation without manual switching.
For heightened flexibility and energy efficiency in your security lighting setup, we’ve outlined key locations, light types, heights, coverage areas, and benefits of these lights in your parking lot:
| Location | Type of Light | Height | Coverage Area | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance/Exit | LED Floodlights | 15-20 ft | Wide-angle spread | Ensures clear visibility for incoming/outgoing vehicles and pedestrians. |
| Perimeter | Wall-mounted Fixtures | 10-15 ft | Along the perimeter | Deters unauthorized access and provides overall security. |
| Parking Spaces | Area Lights | 15-20 ft | Between spaces | Provides even illumination, reducing shadows, and enhancing overall visibility. |
| Near Security Cameras | LED Spotlights | 15-20 ft | Targeted areas | Supports surveillance by ensuring clear visibility for security cameras. |
| Signage | Directional Lights | 5-8 ft | Near important signs | Illuminates signs for easy readability and guidance. |
2. Install CCTV Cameras:
To gain absolute control over the parking lot, the initial step involves maintaining a vigilant watch over all activities within the parking area, stairways, and elevators. Strategically placing CCTV cameras at entrances, exits, parking spaces, and around the perimeter is crucial.
When selecting cameras, ensure they are mounted at an optimal height to capture a comprehensive view of both vehicles and people. Eliminating blind spots is imperative, so having overlapping cameras is a wise choice.
When deciding on the best camera for your parking lot, take into account factors like weather resistance and models with built-in video analytics for swift detection of security breaches.
It is better to consult a professional security camera installer so that the coverage area, field of view, and lighting are all taken into consideration for optimum security of the parking lot, Here we have made a few suggestions based on our experience
| Camera Type | Placement Locations in Parking Lots |
| PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) | Entrance/Exit gates for detailed vehicle monitoring |
| High-traffic areas to cover large spaces effectively | |
| Fixed Dome Cameras | Near payment kiosks and ticket dispensers |
| Over walkways and pedestrian zones for safety | |
| License Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras | At entrance/exit points for automated access control |
| In restricted areas to monitor vehicle movement |
3. Display Prominent Warning Signs:
Boosting security involves effectively alerting drivers and pedestrians about parking lot surveillance and deterring potential criminals. Strategically position attention-grabbing warning signs, illuminated by spotlights, to encourage second thoughts among wrongdoers.
Ensure optimal visibility by placing signs at eye level, using reflective materials, and displaying them near entrances, exits, and busy zones. Emphasize clear messaging, featuring warnings like “no trespassers allowed” and “24-hour video surveillance,” to reinforce the deterrent effect against criminal activities.
4. Facility Upkeep in Focus:
It is a good idea to schedule your parking lot maintenance, including upgrades or repairs, every few months. This practice will significantly boost the security of your parking facility. You should never delay in replacing any non-functional lights, as they can serve as potential hiding spots for criminals and loiterers.
Eliminate hanging wires and ensure switches are regularly maintained, as they can cause accidents and are not aesthetically pleasing either. If applicable, trim shrubbery around commercial parking lots to enhance visibility and security.
Secure assets. Stop
security threats.
24/7 video surveillance detects and deters
unauthorized activity around and inside your building.
24/7 video surveillance detects and deters unauthorized activity around and inside your building.
Here is a list of a few more maintenance points that directly affect the security of the parking lots:
Repainting Markings:
Regularly repaint parking space lines, directional arrows, and other markings to ensure clarity and organization.
Signage Inspection:
Check the condition of informational signs, including entrance/exit signs, speed limits, and any other relevant instructions.
Trash and Debris Cleanup:
Regularly remove litter and debris to maintain a clean and inviting environment, reducing the risk of slips or falls.
Security Camera Check:
Ensure that security cameras are functioning properly and provide adequate coverage of the parking lot.
Lighting Inspection:
Regularly check the functionality of all lighting fixtures, including overhead lights and pathway lighting, to enhance visibility and security.
customers. Detect loitering.
parking violations, and assaults.
Live remote video monitoring prevents vehicle theft, parking violations, and assaults.
5. Guiding Signs for Clarity:
Typically, parking lots are bustling with activity, with people loading their shopping into cars and rushing around. Amid this hustle and bustle, individuals may forget to lock their cars or inadvertently leave behind keys and valuables.
To serve as a helpful reminder, it’s beneficial to place signs around the parking lot such as “Secure Your Belongings – Lock Your Car” or “Tight and Right – Safeguard Your Wheel Caps”, “Lock and Carry – Don’t Forget Your Keys!”
Speed bumps around the parking lot are also essential because they effectively slow down vehicles, ensuring a safer environment for pedestrians and preventing reckless driving.
Putting up signs for speed bumps, such as “Speed bump ahead,” makes the driver more vigilant and avoids accidents and mishaps.
Make sure that signage designates all areas, including spaces for individuals with disabilities, fire lanes, reserved parking, curbside pickup, and loading zones.
6. Emergency Help at Your Fingertips:
Introducing two-way intercoms adds an extra layer of security to your parking lots, providing swift communication and assistance when needed. The mere presence of these intercoms acts as a deterrent to potential criminals.
Strategically placed throughout the parking lot, these intercoms, connected to the security operations center, allow individuals needing immediate assistance to contact a skilled operator.
These operators efficiently assess the situation, dispatching the required authorities promptly. Enhance your approach with this proactive communication solution to secure a parking space lot.
7. Empower Your Team:
Boosting your team’s proficiency in parking lot safety involves comprehensive training for employees. This initiative aims to empower your staff with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and address security concerns effectively within parking facilities.
Through targeted training programs, employees can become valuable assets in ensuring a secure and well-managed parking environment.
This may include instruction on recognizing potential threats, implementing emergency protocols, utilizing surveillance technology, and engaging with visitors to enhance overall safety measures.
8. Deploying Bollards to Fortify Security:
Strategically situated bollards not only act as physical barriers but also play a crucial role in redefining access control and enhancing safety standards. You can ensure that unauthorized vehicle access is staunchly prevented in designated zones.
Certain bollard designs, equipped with anti-ram features, serve as visible deterrents, dissuading potential threats and reinforcing the overall security posture.
Beyond their primary role in thwarting vehicular threats, bollards emerge as guardians of pedestrian safety. Delimiting clearly defined walkways, these unyielding structures serve as protectors for foot traffic, reducing the risk of collisions and accidents in the bustling parking lot environment.
Their presence signifies a commitment to security while orchestrating seamless traffic flow, guiding vehicles through designated lanes, and minimizing congestion.
9. Live Remote Video Monitoring Services by a Security Operations Center:
High-tech equipment, surveillance cameras, and advanced lighting achieve optimal security when seamlessly integrated with live remote video monitoring services. This solution enables 24/7 real-time CCTV monitoring of parking lots.
AI-equipped cameras detect intrusions, triggering alarms at a remote monitoring center where vigilant operators swiftly assess and intervene through audio talk-downs, effectively deterring criminals.
Explore our list of the Top 10 Live Video Monitoring Companies in Canada for 2023 to find the best remote live monitoring service for your needs.
Audio Interventions via Loudspeakers:
Taking full command of ways to secure a parking space lot involves strategically placing powerful loudspeakers, seamlessly linked to a remote video surveillance center.
Alarms triggered by cameras prompt vigilant operators to engage in real-time assessment through live video feeds and take decisive action through direct audio interventions.
These assertive vocal commands serve as effective deterrents, immobilizing offenders or escalating to emergency services as per client-defined SOPs.
Virtual Guard Tour:
Cutting-edge remote video monitoring surpasses the need for traditional security guards, even replacing patrol rounds with high-tech cameras providing virtual guard tours. Following client-scheduled virtual patrol times, remote operators systematically check cameras for security breaches.
If any suspicious behavior such as individuals on the ground, smoke/fire, loitering/homeless, smokers, altercations, pool disorder, vandalism, damage, backwater, regrouping of people, or other abnormal activities are detected by the operator, swift action is taken according to the client’s SOPs.
10. AI solutions:
Enhance the security of your parking lot by boosting traditional video surveillance with AI technologies for more efficient and advanced threat detection. Here’s a detailed explanation of a few AI options:
- License Plate Recognition:
In the realm of cutting-edge security, license plate triggers take the spotlight. They seamlessly detect vehicles entering or exiting the parking lot.
This feature is paramount for the automatic capture and interpretation of license plate information within the camera’s view, facilitating the rapid tracking of vehicles of interest.
Upon the detection of a suspicious license plate, an alarm promptly reverberates through the remote central hub. Here, vigilant operators dive into action, analyzing live video feeds and executing decisive responses aligned with the client’s meticulously crafted SOPs. It’s not just security; it’s security redefined.
- Tailgating:
In the realm of parking lot antics, tailgating emerges as a common ploy where multiple vehicles sneak in using a single pass. This opens the door for loiterers to infiltrate, engaging in vehicle theft and swiping auto parts.
The moment tailgating is detected, an alarm blares at the remote central hub. Swift to the scene, vigilant operators scrutinize live video feeds, executing precise actions in line with the client’s preset SOPs.
Bonus Tips: How to Safely Park Your Car in the Parking Lot:
With nearly 15 years of expertise safeguarding diverse industries, Sirix has honed its skills in thwarting theft attempts. Additionally, they have transformed crime scenes into sanctuaries..
Here are key insights from our security professionals about ensuring your next parking lot visit is a secure and joyful shopping experience. Rest assured that your car and its components will remain intact, enhancing the overall satisfaction of your visit.
Never Forget to Lock Your Car:
Carjackers with high-tech gadgets can steal your car within seconds. Always turn off your car and lock it. Even if you have to leave your car for a few seconds to run a small errand.
Never Leave Your Keys:
Sometimes we feel that it will just take a moment to get that little work done. Leaving the car keys dangling in the ignition is an open invitation to thieves!
Invest in An Anti-theft Device:
Enhance your vehicle’s security by delving into the market for a diverse range of anti-theft devices. Consider options like steering wheel locks, protective steering columns, and locks that disable the ignition, fuel, and other systems.
Make Car Towing Impossible:
A clever trick to make your car towing a headache for potential carjackers is to turn your wheels towards the curb. Engage the handbrake to render your vehicle less mobile. This tactic can deter thieves looking to tow away your car swiftly and discreetly
Never Leave Valuables in The Car:
To deter loiterers who are constantly seeking quick items to sell for minimal profit, refrain from leaving laptops and smartphones unattended. This precaution helps eliminate temptations for potential thieves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role do warning signs play in securing a parking space lot?
Prominent warning signs are essential to alerting both drivers and pedestrians about surveillance and deterring potential criminals. Clear signage, strategically placed and illuminated, reinforces security and encourages second thoughts among wrongdoers.
How does remote video monitoring enhance security?
Remote video monitoring enables 24/7 real-time surveillance of parking lots. When security alarms are triggered, vigilant operators swiftly assess situations through live video feeds and intervene through audio talk-downs. This proactive approach adds an extra layer of security.
Conclusion:
Safeguarding your parking lot is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. From strategic lighting to cutting-edge technology like CCTV, warning signs, and remote monitoring, these tactics form a comprehensive security approach.
Regular maintenance, clear signage, and advanced features such as two-way intercoms and license plate recognition add further layers of protection.
Empower your team through training and embrace technology for real-time monitoring. A multifaceted security strategy is key to deterring theft and vandalism.
Contact us for a personalized consultation and solutions to enhance your parking lot security today!
