Commercial properties of all kinds continue to be targets for theft and vandalism. With more valuable inventory at risk than ever before, how can proactive security be leveraged to keep these assets protected and keep commercial businesses thriving?
Commercial properties continue to be at risk of theft
With thieves always on the lookout for assets to steal and sell for a profit, many different kinds of commercial businesses have been targeted for theft and vandalism. Regardless of it being an interior or exterior area of a commercial site, many of these businesses are left vulnerable overnight because there is no staff on-site and very little security presence. They may have security cameras installed, but in the event of a theft incident, footage is only viewed after the crime has taken place. While it is still beneficial to have this footage on hand, there is no guarantee that the subsequent investigation by law enforcement will yield the return of stolen items or the arrest of suspects.
The inventory stolen on commercial properties covers a wide range and affects a multitude of different commercial industries. Everything from cosmetics, golf clubs, collectibles, camera equipment, debit terminals, and more are targets for criminals on the prowl. In January 2023, three camera equipment rental shops in Toronto, ON were the victims of thieves looking to steal valuable camera rigs, lenses, and filming equipment. The criminals used rocks to break the store windows and gain entry to the premises, with over $50,000 worth of camera equipment stolen at these locations over the course of a month. In addition to the cost of replacing the stolen inventory, businesses owners also had to contend with broken glass and other harmful effects of the break & enter – adding repair and replacement expenses to an already unfortunate and costly situation. (1)
In June 2023, in Ontario’s York region, Police arrested 19 people in connection with a small business theft ring. Thieves targeted point-of-sale (POS) systems at various businesses, stealing their debit/credit machine pin pads. Using the pin pads, they would then fraudulently issue refunds to themselves using stolen access codes. What’s even more disturbing is how organized they were in their attempts to steal – they observed the businesses during daytime hours, and then returned at night to break in and steal the POS terminals. Without any means of proactive intervention on these sites to prevent the crime, they were able to commit multiple thefts before Police caught up with them and arrested them some time later. By then it was too late and the damage had been done to the businesses themselves, and the customers they serve. (2)
The theft of certain inventory can also pose a potential risk to public safety. A firearms businesses in Creston, BC was the target of brazen theft in May 2023, where thieves stole a large quantity of firearms and fled prior to Police arrival. The security footage on hand was helpful, but there was still very little information to go on, resulting in the RCMP launching a lengthy and costly investigation, and the valuable but also potentially dangerous inventory was in the wind. This is a reactive approach, when a proactive approach is much more effective in deterring potential crime and theft of high value inventory. With so many types of commercial properties and inventory at risk, proactive security can help to keep a wide range of assets secure. (3)
Property and parking lots are also at risk of damage & destruction
It’s not just the commercial storefronts that are at risk – the parking lots on these sites are often a hotbed of activity of those committing vandalism…
There are many forms of vandalism that are cause for concern – from spray painting, to arson, to trash dumping. Trespassers also engage in other unwanted behavior by revving up their vehicles and performing dangerous “doughnut” maneuvers, leaving circular skid marks on the property and potentially damaging the property if they crash into a storefront, signage, or exterior fixtures. As these lots are left empty overnight, trespassers and vandals often feel empowered to do as they please because there is no one there to monitor the situation and deter them from these activities.
These examples of commercial property theft and vandalism illustrate the need for proactive security on-site to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place.
How do we provide proactive security to protect commercial businesses?
Live Video Monitoring helps protect commercial properties after-hours
Many commercial properties operate during standard daylight hours, with no staff or security presence on-site once key holders lock the doors and go home for the evening.
Monitoring commercial sites after hours and during the night when thieves are more likely to strike is essential to proactive security. With Live Remote Video Monitoring, our team will actively detect and deter criminals from striking once the sun goes down. We issue active deterrents such as loud, authoritative voice commands and bright, LED strobe lights to signal to potential trespassers that they are being monitored and to desist immediately. If they continue, our Live Video Monitoring team will alert law enforcement to attend the scene and apprehend the suspects.
Cellular LTE technology establishes the security grid
Our proprietary cellular LTE technology allows us to quickly deploy Video Security Units that can cover multiple angles and areas, eliminating the need for cumbersome wired security systems. They can easily connect to existing power supplies on commercial sites and provide full security to exterior areas including parking lots, alley ways, and trailer storage in rear areas of a commercial property. This grid of cameras & security peripherals establishes perimeter coverage and allows our team to get a full view of each area, allowing us to proactively detect potential criminals as they approach a property.
syncroDetect provides total protection
Coverage of exterior areas is essential to commercial property protection, but coverage of interior spaces is also extremely important. Our syncroDetect wireless alarm acts as a true companion to our Video Security Units, providing the ability to protect doors & windows with magnetic contact sensor alarms for additional protection.
Wireless motion sensors can also detect when someone is moving throughout a store or property – and an alert sent instantaneously to our Live Video Operators who will contact law enforcement. With so many indoor areas on a commercial property at risk – storerooms, storage trailers, and office spaces – additional protection through syncroDetect can help provide total security.
Artificial Intelligence increases detection accuracy
Artificial intelligence is changing the face of security. This revolutionary & proprietary technology allows us to identify and track individuals on-site. Our Live Video Operators are then better able to monitor a site – as our AI technology issues an alert identifying a human being on site, and allows our operators to discern if an incident is in progress, to attempt to deter the crime from occurring, & to alert law enforcement, if necessary. Our AI system is continually learning on a daily basis, adapting to different security scenarios to provide even more effective and robust commercial property security.
Investigations to properly review the situation
If an incident does occur, our team can review video of what occurred and investigate further. They provide law enforcement with high quality evidence to assist with apprehensions and court cases. With the unparalleled high-resolution image quality provided by our Video Security Units, we can to identify suspects and provide accurate descriptions, as well as provide clarity on the situation that helps all parties get a proper handle on what occurred.
syncroReports provides all the details & transparency
After all is said and done, our clients can view Log Reports and video monitoring footage through our own reporting platform, syncroReports. We strive to give our clients full transparency of the occurrences on their commercial property, creating an environment of trust and providing peace of mind.
Commercial properties are continually at risk of crime, as thieves search for inventory to exploit and sell for profit. With proactive security, we can keep this inventory and property protected and create a secure environment for commercial businesses to thrive.
Resources:
- “Toronto business out $50K after same couple breaks into string of rental shops”, Lauren O’Neil, blogTO, February 7, 2023
- “Police arrest 19 people, search for 2 more, in connection with small business theft ring across York Region”, Lisa Queen, YorkRegion.com, June 30, 2023
- “RCMP investigate theft of multiple firearms stolen from Creston businesses”, Lone Sheep Publishing, The Nelson Daily, May 17, 2023