Managing Car Break-ins and related security issues

Hello Guys and wishing you guys a happy memorial day in these depressing times. We've had issues with break-ins in the past and so wanted to get an understanding of how security is managed within your properties.

Do people have your own patrol cars or cameras attached to the building or individual security cameras assigned to different locations within the premise... Any good suggestions would help us to reduce more of these kind of break ins and keep the community safe.

Howdy! One of the best ways I dealt with vehicles is to have act like a thief! It might take an hour or two of your staff's evening time, but it is well worth it!

I wrote a pass/fail type notice in printed them on colored paper. I walked the property at night with a small flashlight and looked in vehicles. When I noticed valuables, unlocked doors, open windows, coins, cigarettes, lighters, coats, shoes, or anything that a thief might want, I wrote it on the notice and "failed" the car and left a notice on the windshield. If the vehicle was locked, nothing of value in view, I "passed" the vehicle.

Have you considered adding security cameras? It would monitor your parking and the safety of your residents without adding employee overtime. The SIA tax incentives offer significant write-offs and depreciation on multifamily security.

Car break ins are on the rise. The fact that they're considered a nonviolent crime and some counties only ask for a promise to return to court makes them the ideal crime. Most of the thieves act in groups of 3-4, and we have noticed that they gain entry through doors left open or use a device to open the gate. Others just follow residents in.

The thieves are usually looking for guns. Yep. And they are successful in finding them, so they return. I have heard about car 10 cars break ins within 10-15 minutes.

The best approach is to have continuous surveillance, whether it is a security guard foot patrolling throughout the parking areas or a great security surveillance company that will alert and call police. At the sites we service we have had incidents where the thieves break into 3-4 vehicles, security sees them and they run away. By the time police shows up they are gone. Cameras sometimes get a glimpse of what occurred but not license plates because they usually go in without plates. So, our officers know that's the first thing to look for and question drivers with paper plates or no plates.

Educating residents about not leaving guns or valuables in their vehicles is necessary and the ultimate deterrent.