Reported incidents of holiday crime and theft increase between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. A veteran Philadelphia police officer said thieves usually target women and senior citizens because it is assumed they won’t fight back. Criminals tend to break into places where they think they won’t be confronted or stopped, like warehouses and shopping centers.
Seven of the largest malls in the Portland area were hit by over 400 crimes between November 28 and January 1.
Another holiday crime occurred at a homeless shelter in New York. Burglars stole more than 1,000 gifts intended for homeless children.
The veteran Philadelphia police officer said thieves are opportunists who look for any weakness at a property to exploit. However, there are some basic crime prevention tactics that can help decrease the probability of holiday theft at your commercial property.
Law enforcement and security industry specialists agree that noise and lights are easy and accessible crime deterrents. An audible warning and bright lights can send common thieves running from your commercial site.
Other security tactics include purchasing and installing high-quality locks. Thieves can easily dislodge flimsy locks.
A monitored surveillance system can help protect your commercial property from holiday crime and theft. Trained security operators remotely watch your property in real-time. If they see any suspicious activity, the operators can activate an on-site speaker to deter the would-be criminals. If the situation escalates, they can call the local authorities.
The veteran police officer said it is important to stay alert and take proactive measures to secure your commercial property against holiday crime and theft. He recommends not leaving valuables in sight that might tempt thieves.
ECAM offers a holiday monitoring service for its clients based on individual needs, including customized hours and protocols. Their commercial security system utilizes outdoor surveillance cameras that can operate in lower temperatures and severe weather conditions.
ECAM is the leader in remote video surveillance in Canada and the U.S, with over 400 employees, 11 offices, and 3 live video monitoring control centers. ECAM’s proactive video monitoring watches over 17,000 IP and CCTV security cameras. Our security solutions feature advanced technology and can detect and deter crime while reducing security guard and other expenses. Our remote monitoring service can reduce or even replace security guards at a fraction of the cost. A remote surveillance operator can see suspicious activity, activate a speaker warning, and call the local police.
Please call toll-free (866) 756-7847 or contact us today for more information to protect your outdoor assets. Visit the Stealth website to see real arrest videos at construction sites, multifamily apartments, shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, auto dealerships, and other commercial real estate properties.
