Security guards are effective in deterring vandalism (among other crimes) and in enhancing the safety of your facility. Their visible presence discourages law violators, especially during nighttime in sites with little to no traffic and are likely to be targeted by vandals and thieves.
Hiring private security guards is particularly important in the construction industry since these facilities face a high risk of theft aside from costly damage due to vandalism. But regardless of what business you are in (residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, etc.), security guards provide a robust defense against various criminal attacks on your property including vandalism.
Scout Security’s private guards and mobile patrollers include former law enforcers and military personnel who undergo continuous training on the best security practices and legal matters. Thus, guaranteeing that you receive top-notch security services in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas. Book a consultation now!
Why Hire Security Guards to Deter Vandalism?
First things first, vandalism refers to the willful alteration, destruction, or defacing of property which includes:
- Spraypainting graffiti
- “Egging” your car or property
- Scratching or keying paint off cars
- Slashing someone’s tires
- Breaking windows
- Smashing mailboxes
- Damaging your property with hands or feet
Damage caused by these acts to your buildings, equipment, and other assets can cost you expensive repairs. They not only tarnish your business’s aesthetic beauty which could discourage potential customers but can also disrupt the peace and security on your premises.
You have to deal with hidden costs that can hurt your bottom line such as:
- Decreased property value
- Increased insurance premiums
- Business interruption and loss of sales
- Repairs and replacement including repainting (for graffiti)
- Fines due to noncompliance with cleanup deadlines
- Psychological impact on your employees and customers due to compromised safety
- Loss of renters and increased vacancies for hospitality businesses
Vandalism incidents cost government and private property owners millions of dollars a year.
With on-site security guards who conduct regular patrols and CCTV surveillance 24/7, you can significantly decrease crimes on your property including:
- Vandalism
- Graffiti
- Property damage
- Theft
- Break-ins
- Trespassing
Also Read: 12 Top Duties & Responsibilities of a Security Guard
How Security Guards Protect Your Business Against Vandalism
Below are the specific ways security guards can deter vandalism and other crimes to enhance safety on your property.
#1. 24/7 Visible Deterrence
Our security guards provide round-the-clock deterrence against vandalism by just being present on your premises.
Being on-site 24/7 also allows them to immediately address any suspicious activities to prevent potential damage before it occurs. (More on this later.)
Unlike less noticeable security measures like alarms or CCTV, the presence of guards makes a strong security statement that discourages vandals due to the increased risk of detection. Their continuous vigilance ensures that security is maintained to make your property less appealing to criminals.
Also Read: How Can Uniformed Security Guards Deter Crime in Your Business?
#2. Risk Assessment to Identify Issues
We also conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in your business.
We perform detailed checks of your perimeter fencing, access points, and other potential high-risk spots to pinpoint weaknesses that vandals and thieves could use to access your property. We can even go over your floor plans, company protocols, and existing security plans to identify gaps.
After the risk assessment, we collaborate with you to devise and implement strategies to address these vulnerabilities and prevent criminal activities effectively. This proactive approach ensures that corrective measures are taken immediately to protect your business from property damage or theft.
Also Read: 10 Benefits of Hiring a Security Guard to Protect Your Business
#3. Staying Updated With the News (e.g. Riots)
Tuning into local news channels and staying alert to real-time updates helps us safeguard your property during unpredictable situations.
We enhance our security guards’ responsiveness to potential vandalism by closely monitoring news updates around your area. For instance, we can preemptively adjust our strategies or request reinforcements if necessary by identifying the locations and movements of protests.
This not only prepares us in case of emergencies for rapid response but also helps in mitigating possible damage effectively.
#4. Remote Monitoring Through CCTV Surveillance
CCTV monitoring allows us to cover wider areas, especially low-traffic pathways and facilities. Trained CCTV operators use these cameras to monitor real-time footage to quickly identify suspicious activities and lower the chances of vandalism and other crimes. Footage from these cameras can even be used to identify suspects.
Integrating these systems with your existing security measures will enhance your overall vandalism prevention strategy to ensure comprehensive coverage.
CCTV surveillance cameras can significantly reduce crime rates, especially in parking lots and residential areas.
Moreover, temporary remote monitoring options are ideal for small businesses as these can provide flexible and cost-effective surveillance solutions for high-risk areas without breaking the bank.
Also Read: Live Video Monitoring vs. Onsite Security Guards
#5. Regular Patrols Around Your Premises
Regular patrols (conducted by stationary guards or mobile patrollers for larger areas) are important in preventing and disrupting vandalism through active monitoring and surveillance.
We monitor your premises, especially vandalism-prone areas, at different schedules and patrol routes to maintain unpredictability and deter criminal activity further. We plan our patrols thoroughly to make sure that areas or properties that may be more at risk of vandalism are given more focus.
You should hire mobile patrol officers if you want to secure wider areas because they can cover multiple places to check for vandals within a short time.
Our security guards are also trained to identify signs of suspicious activities (including suspicious vehicles or visitors) so they can act swiftly to address potential threats. Constant patrols also allow them to spot potential risks (e.g. lighting and maintenance issues) so they can be addressed early on.
Combining CCTV surveillance with regular patrols can maximize coverage and enhance coordination during incidents for faster responses since on-site guards are already present.
Thus, providing a robust defense against property damage and theft, especially in larger commercial spaces where stationary guards may not suffice.
Also Read: How Mobile Patrol Security Can Proactively Deter Crimes on Your Property
#6. Access Control to Limit Activity
Access control is another crucial measure in preventing unauthorized individuals and vehicles from entering your premises to reduce the risk of vandalism/theft.
We help in enforcing access restrictions including verifying the identities of all people as well as checking their vehicles before they enter your property. We can also assist in locking/unlocking or opening/closing doors, gates, and other access points during opening and closing hours.
Moreover, our security guards are trained in managing crowds and ensuring that all exits remain secure and operable in emergencies. Thus, preventing potential vandals from taking advantage of busy periods for criminal activities.
Strict access control is important on construction sites that are naturally open which makes them vulnerable to vandalism.
This can include frequent patrols to monitor the perimeters and gating private roads to ensure that only authorized vehicles are gaining access to your site.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Ensuring Building Security: 11 Helpful Tips
#7. Protecting Your Assets
Included in a security guard’s daily tasks is protecting your valuable assets, equipment, and merchandise, especially for:
- Commercial businesses
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities
- Construction sites
- Factories
- Processing plants, etc.
#8. Laying Out Traps
Certified security guards can also strategize plans and lay out traps on the spot to catch vandals effectively.
Their training allows them to devise practical solutions to catch vandals. Thus making sure that they are caught in the act to prevent potential damage to your property.
Also Read: How to Increase Business Security With a 24-Hour Guard
#9. Immediate Response to Incidents
As mentioned, security guards are trained to act swiftly if a crime or any security breach occurs. If they spot suspicious behavior or unauthorized access, they can intervene right away to stop the crime from progressing and minimize its impact.
In most cases, the visible presence of security guards alone is enough to discourage vandals. But even if vandals decide to proceed with their activity despite guards being present, guards are still equipped to handle the situation promptly to prevent any significant damage to your business.
Aside from responding to vandalism incidents, security guards can also respond to violent attacks and natural disasters including fires. They can communicate with the authorities and emergency service providers for a coordinated and swift response.
Also Read: The Role of Security Guards in Emergency Response
Other Helpful Tips to Prevent Vandalism Further: 11 Proactive Measures You Can Follow
Below are other proactive measures you can implement to significantly reduce the risk of vandalism at your business:
- Hire Fire Watch Services: This is especially crucial for complex construction sites as it offers 24-hour surveillance to prevent the damaging impacts of fire hazards as well as for compliance purposes.
- Lock Unused Doors: Convert rarely used doors to fire exits or secure them to prevent unauthorized access.
- Install Fencing: Put up durable barriers to make it difficult for vandals to enter your premises and make patrols easier.
- Consider Employee-Only Access Doors: Use key card access systems to restrict entry to sensitive areas to employees only.
- Improve Lighting: Ensure areas are well-lit to reduce hiding spots and deter vandals/thieves, especially parking lots, dark hallways, and other high-risk spots.
- Install Motion Detectors: Aside from installing adequate lighting, install motion sensors (motion-activated lights are better) to ward off intruders.
- Install Surveillance Cameras: Strategically install security cameras to maximize coverage of vulnerable areas and entry points. Consider advanced features like high-resolution and night vision to deter and collect valuable evidence.
- Install Advanced Alarm Systems: Equip your property with modern alarm systems that detect unauthorized entries and movements as well as trigger alerts to ensure 24/7 monitoring and rapid response.
- Ensure Regular Maintainance: Keep your property well-maintained by promptly repairing damages and cleaning graffiti. This helps keep a professional appearance and makes your property less attractive to vandals.
- Educate Your Employees: Educate your employees on vandalism prevention and response strategies.
- Expand Your Protection Services: Implement additional security measures like emergency alerts for fires, flood risks, and power outage plans.
Also Read:
- The Role of Security Guards in Retail & Commercial Properties
- 11 Problems a Security Guard Can Help You Solve
- Break-Ins: What to Do When Your Business Has Been Broken Into
- How Security Guards Prevent Workplace Violence
- 6 Advantages of Having a Hybrid Security Strategy
FAQs
To prevent vandalism effectively, below are the tips you can follow:
– Illuminate your property
– Install unbreakable fixtures
– Install security fencing to hinder access
– Clean and repair any damages immediately to remove targets
– Use locked gates and surveillance cameras to monitor and control access points
– Consider hiring security guards for active deterrence in high-risk areas
Security guards collaborate closely with your local law enforcement to enhance safety. They act as additional observers and informers who promptly alert the police of any unusual activities and aid in investigative efforts.
Security guards protect these three key assets:
1. People: They monitor for suspicious activities to deter threats and ensure the safety of your employees and guests.
2. Property: They protect buildings and your perimeters from unauthorized entry and other crimes.
3. Assets: They secure both physical and digital valuables, including sensitive information, from exploitation and theft.
Security guards help reduce crime by increasing a potential criminal’s perceived risk of getting caught, acting as authority figures, and maintaining vigilance. Their highly visible presence deters criminal activities and fosters a sense of security for your employees and customers.
Conclusion
Increasing your security is important, especially if your business is located in high-risk locations that have been exposed to violence and riots in the past. Hiring certified and trained security guards can ensure the prevention of costly property and equipment damage along with other fines that you may potentially face after a vandalism incident.
Scout Security’s highly trained guards in the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas can protect your assets from vandals and help you maintain your reputation. Our guards and mobile patrollers implement proactive strategies to prevent suspicious activities on your property. Call us now!
