Prevent Parking Lot Crime During the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, more people will be visiting shops in search of the perfect gifts for their loved ones. November and December bring some of the busiest shopping days of the year—even in 2020, when fewer people shopped in-person due to Covid-19, there were 58.7 million shoppers who hit the stores for Black Friday. Unfortunately, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season provides criminals with the perfect opportunity to steal goods with a high chance of going unnoticed. 

First impressions are everything, and your customers start their experience in your parking lot. While most of us are decking the halls with boughs of holly, retail store owners should be decking their parking lots with security solutions. Here are four tips that will help you prevent ho-ho-horrible incidents in your parking lot this holiday season.  

1. Post security warning signs in your lot

Even if you don’t have a high-tech security system in place, placing warning signs around your property can be a huge deterrent for criminal activity. In fact, studies show that security signs are one of the most considered security measures when criminals evaluate a property for a potential burglary. Make sure to place the warning signs in well-lit, high-traffic areas where criminals are sure to see them. This simple, affordable measure can make a massive difference in the overall safety of your lot. 

2. Consider hiring a seasonal security guard

People are much less likely to commit a crime if they know someone is watching, especially if the person watching is a trained security guard. Consider stationing a security guard in your parking lot—especially on days like Black Friday, when you know shoppers will flock to your store. While you might not feel the need to pay a security team to monitor your lot year-round, hiring a seasonal security guard can help cut down on crime when criminal activity is at an all-time high. 

3. Improve parking lot lighting

While a security guard will ensure that all is calm in your parking lot, good lighting will ensure that all is bright, which will make crime harder to get away with. If you already have lights installed in your parking lot, make sure the bulbs have been replaced recently so that they keep your lot well-lit all through the winter months. 

4. Install parking lot security cameras

There is no better time than right before the holiday season to reassess your security efforts. Are your current efforts going to be enough to keep your customers and merchandise safe when the holiday crowds turn up? Consider adding security cameras to high-traffic areas in your parking lot. If crimes do occur, having video proof can be extremely helpful when prosecuting after the fact. 

As the season of giving approaches, make sure you don’t give criminals an opportunity to steal your goods or harass your customers. At LiveView Technologies, we want to do everything in our power to keep you, your merchandise, and your customers safe so that you can enjoy a holly, jolly holiday season. Contact us today to see if our security solutions are the right fit for your business.