Vehicle break-ins at auto dealerships are an ongoing issue and remote surveillance and monitoring can help to reduce and deter the success of criminals targeting inventory vehicles, outdoor assets, and vehicle parts at your property.
Like many cities across North America, over the past two years, Austin, Texas, has experienced a significant surge in auto dealership break-ins, burglaries, and vehicle thefts. This uptick in criminal activity has prompted law enforcement and city officials to implement various measures to combat the trend.
In one example in February 2025, a 31-year-old man allegedly stole a brand-new Chevrolet Equinox at gunpoint from a Chevrolet dealership in South Austin. Thanks to swift action and tracking technology, the Austin Police Department (APD) located the stolen vehicle within 45 minutes and apprehended the man without incident. A handwritten robbery note was also found in the vehicle, suggesting potential plans for further criminal activity.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of auto dealership-related crimes in Austin. In 2023, the city saw a dramatic increase in vehicle thefts, particularly targeting Hyundai and Kia models. A viral social media trend exposed vulnerabilities in these vehicles, leading to a nearly 700% increase in thefts compared to the previous year. As of April, the Austin Police Department has seen 1,308 thefts so far in 2025.
At approximately 7:15 am, ECAM remote surveillance monitoring professionals observed an intruder on the property of an Austin, Texas auto dealership, entering a restricted gated area. Onsite audible warnings were activated as the intruder attempted to access a vehicle before setting off its alarm, then quickly attempting to flee. Local police were contacted and the situation relayed to their dispatchers. Officers responded onsite quickly and could be seen on surveillance making contact with the suspect before taking them into custody without incident.
The Benefits of Remote Surveillance in Protecting Auto Dealerships
While local authorities and government officials do their best to help raise awareness and deter this persistent criminal activity, in response to the escalating situation, additional precautions must be taken by local businesses to protect their inventory and property.
Austin city officials have implemented several measures to deter vehicle-related crimes. At Pease Park, for instance, signs have been installed warning visitors about the risk of car break-ins and advising them to hide valuables, lock their cars, and take their keys. One sign even warns of a possible bait car in the parking lot, aiming to deter potential thieves.
Additionally, the Austin City Council has been considering continued funding for programs aimed at reducing auto thefts. These initiatives focus on increasing police patrols, enhancing surveillance, and educating the public about preventative measures.
However, these solutions alone are not enough to reduce liability exposure, provide real-time responsiveness to potential incidents before they escalate, or help reduce and deter thefts, break-ins, and other unwanted activity.
Remote video monitoring offers a comprehensive, cost-effective solution that helps auto dealerships deter crime, enhance operations, and protect their bottom line. By combining cutting-edge surveillance technology with trained live operators, dealerships can proactively respond to threats like trespassing, break-ins, and theft—often before they escalate.
Here’s how remote video surveillance monitoring strengthens your dealership’s security strategy:
Continuous Auto Dealership Protection with Immediate Response Capability
Remote video monitoring transcends traditional passive security systems by providing uninterrupted surveillance with intelligence-driven intervention protocols. AI-enabled camera analytics continuously evaluate environmental conditions, alerting security monitoring professionals when detecting potential threats. This integration of technology and human expertise enables decisive action, whether through law enforcement coordination or direct audio intervention, which can significantly reduce incident response times and associated financial impacts.
Strategic Deterrence Before Incidents Escalate
While visible surveillance itself often discourages unauthorized activity, remote monitoring capabilities elevate deterrence effectiveness. Security specialists can engage directly with potential intruders through onsite audio systems, often deterring potential intruders before theft, break-ins, and other unwanted activities can occur. This proactive engagement strategy helps to create safer environments for staff, visitors, and physical assets.
Enhanced Risk Management and Insurance Optimization
Beyond immediate security benefits, remote video monitoring systems frequently qualify properties for insurance premium reductions. Many carriers offer incentive structures for implementing advanced security measures to reduce risk profiles. If incidents occur despite preventative measures, ECAM’s high-resolution surveillance documentation facilitates claims processing and expedited resolution.
Liability Protection Through Documentation
Comprehensive surveillance coverage provides critical protection against unsubstantiated claims. For auto dealerships, these issues can be especially damaging when it comes to vehicles entering and exiting service lanes. When confronting potential liability situations, whether involving visitor injury allegations, customer vehicle damage claims, or employee disputes, definitive visual evidence establishes factual timelines and vehicle conditions- significantly reducing exposure to costly litigation and reputational damage.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today and speak with an automotive security specialist for details and an expert demo.
