Boosting Business Security When It’s Dark
Daylight Savings Time ended on November 5th, and this means that, for most of us, it gets dark a lot earlier in the evening now. While you may not enjoy leaving work in darkness, criminals certainly appreciate the additional time to commit crimes.
Criminals are simply more effective when they’re working in the dark. This is because they’re more difficult to spot, but also because there are fewer people out on the streets when it’s dark and cold. It’s a big reason why there are more crimes during the fall and winter. Also, security cameras may be less effective in poor lighting, giving criminals yet another reason to strike.
Here are some tips for securing your business when it’s dark outside.
Use Lighting
Obviously, one of the best ways to secure your property when it’s dark is to use proper lighting. Criminals do not want to be spotted, so you can draw attention to them by adding exterior lighting to your business. Step outside your property when its dark and look for areas that are not properly lit. Criminals can use these areas as hiding places. They often hide in darkness, waiting until the coast is clear to commit a crime, or until an employee or customer walks by when they then attempt a robbery.
Motion-activated lighting is often a good idea. Not only is it more energy-efficient, but a light quickly switching on without notice can draw attention to a criminal and maybe even spook them.
Change Your Layout
As mentioned, criminals like to hide. They sometimes scout out a location for a while, looking for security weaknesses. They also like to hide around businesses so they can rob or assault people as they leave the property. Don’t help them out. If your business has areas where criminals can hide, change your layout to prevent this. Get rid of planters that they can crouch behind, for example. Not only will you be getting rid of a hiding place, but you’ll also give them one fewer weapon to use to break through a window.
Install Physical Security
Criminals, obviously, do not want to be spotted committing a crime. That’s why they often choose to do so when it’s dark. It’s also why they want to get in and out of a property as quickly as possible. Criminals know that the longer they spend at a location, the greater likelihood of them being caught, even in the dark.
Physical security tools such as security gates put a strong barrier between a criminal and your business. This makes a “smash and grab” robbery significantly less likely. Gates make it much more difficult and time consuming to break into a location. Because they’re so effective, they serve as a visual deterrent. When criminals see that a business has security gates installed, and they often don’t even attempt a break-in. They know how tough it will be to get inside without being caught and they’d rather try elsewhere.
Want some more helpful tips to improving the security of your business? Download our helpful guide to Improving Your Security Mindset.
