Condominiums are busy thoroughfares of activity – tenants, visitors, condo staff, and others traversing through. With so much traffic coming through these properties day and night, they are hotbeds for criminals to strike. How can proactive security keep condos and their tenants protected?
The call for improved condominium security.
Many people call condominium and apartment buildings home, a place of solace and safety, but they are also susceptible to a variety of security threats – including break-ins, theft, and vandalism. These properties often contain a multitude of access points and shared spaces that are vulnerable to these security threats. Condos have exterior areas such as parking lots, underground garages, and entrances and exits that require protection, and these areas are often also access points into more private areas, including the actual units where people live. As such, condominium properties require a robust and proactive security solution to keep them and the people who live within them secure.
A variety of valuable property is stolen from condominium properties.
In December 2022, Police in Winnipeg, MB arrested and charged three suspects after over 40 condominium and apartment complexes were broken into in a span of 40 days. The suspects stole several cars, inflicting approximately $250,000 worth of damage to the vehicles, and an additional $100,000 worth of other items also stolen. The trio of condo thieves cast a wide net of crime throughout the city, with no proactive measures taken to stop the thefts during such a large window of time – the suspects had every opportunity to commit the crimes undeterred. (1)
In February 2023, several storage lockers were broken into at an apartment building in Oakville, ON. Thieves were able to cut the storage unit locks to gain access and steal a host of personal items – including computers, shoes, clothing, and more. (2)
In July 2023, Police sought two suspects who stole bikes from a condominium’s underground parking garage, breaking into storage rooms and bike lockers, then fleeing with the bikes into the Toronto night. There were no cameras installed in the parking garage and no active surveillance to prevent the theft. (3)
In August 2023, two suspects in Kelowna, BC broke into a condo complex several times before law enforcement caught up with them. They broke into storage lockers and stole approximately $10,000 in construction tools. Surveillance footage of the pair was obtained after the incident and Police began their search for the suspects with no other information to go on and no measures taken to stop the theft before it happened. (4)
Each of these instances proves why condominiums need a proactive security solution to keep property and tenants safe.
How can we help protect condominiums and apartments?
Our Video Security Units create a wireless security grid
All condominium and apartment complexes need camera and monitoring technology that provides real protection. Our Video Security Units are the most robust remote surveillance units on the security market – equipped with two stationary cameras that provide perimeter protection & situational awareness, and a PTZ camera that can zoom in and capture descriptive details in high resolution. Each unit is strategically placed to cover key areas within a condo complex. Leveraging the power of our proprietary cellular LTE+ platform, a network of Video Security Units can be implemented to provide full protection at condo properties.
Artificial Intelligence provides accurate detections
With so much activity on a condominium property, accurate detections are key to properly deter criminals from striking. Our Monitoring team leverage the power of our proprietary AI system to increase their detection accuracy and focus on important details – differentiating living, breathing humans from the host of other movement on-site.
Live Remote Video Monitoring deters condo thieves and trespassers
Trespassers, thieves, and vandals need to be deterred from their actions on condominium properties to provide safety. This is where our Live Remote Video Monitoring service proves to be highly effective – our team of Monitoring professionals are trained in deterring criminals before they commit crimes. Our team utilizes bright, LED strobe lights to indicate to trespassers they are being monitored, and they also issue loud, authoritative voice commands to send that message home. Once criminals see and hear these deterrents, it won’t be long until they leave the property altogether.
syncroDetect protects areas of high importance
Condos contain a multitude of areas that require protection – from concierge offices to communal spaces. With our wireless intrusion alarm system, syncroDetect, these areas are fully protected by wireless door & window contacts, and wireless motion detection sensors that will alert our Monitoring Operators when an area is entered when it is not supposed to be.
License Plate Reader & syncroPlates capture license plate numbers
Parking garages, both above and underground, are busy thoroughfares with tenants and visitors entering and exiting the property. With our License Plate Reader cameras, we are able to capture the alphanumerical characters on license plates and store them within our own database, syncroReports. If a vehicle on-site is suspected of being involved in trespassing or theft, we can track that vehicle and blacklist it from the site, if needed.
syncroReports keeps you 'in the loop'
Our proprietary reporting platform, syncroReports, allows property managers to keep track of any and all incidents occurring on their properties. With the ability to view live security feeds, go over recorded footage, and read detailed Log Reports you are able to get a complete picture of their complex’s security – keeping you in the loop and providing full transparency when it is needed most.
Condominium properties are at high risk for trespassing, theft, and vandalism. A proactive security solution can protect properties, contents, and people so they can rest easy knowing their home is secure.
Resources:
- “40 break-ins in 40 days: Winnipeg police arrest trio in connection to crime spree”, CBC News, December 17, 2022
- “Storage lockers broken into at apartment building”, Jay Pugazhenthi, Oakville News, February 7, 2023
- “Suspect sought after bikes stolen from condo underground parking garage in Danforth Village”, Bryann Aguilar, CP24, July 6, 2023
- “Crime stoppers offering reward for tips on Kelowna condo thefts”, Brittany Webster, Kelowna Capital News, August 29, 2023