Parking Lot Security.

A parking lot could be nothing more than an area of waste ground where you are charged for the very dubious privilege of leaving your car unattended. Quite possibly there will be no camera surveillance or other parking lot security, and the only staff a very disinterested person who is there merely to ensure that you pay the charge.

At the other end of the spectrum is valet parking where an attendant parks and retrieves your vehicle. These lots will be well covered by CCTV and possibly patrolled by security staff. Any unauthorized persons in the parking area would stand out like a fistful of sore thumbs.

In between the two are the parking areas at the front of local stores, the vast open area parking lots of the superstores and malls, office block parking, hospital, airport, park and ride, school and library parking. As well as the multi-level parking constructions, either up several stories or down underground.

Security in a parking lot depends upon two parties, the owner of the lot and . . . you.

The parking lot owner, whether that be a store, town authority, entertainment venue or whoever, can do a lot to improve the security and protection of users. They can install a good, monitored CCTV surveillance system, have the area patrolled, take measures to keep out undesirables, install adequate lighting and maintain the lot so that there is good visibility at all times.

You can also do much to ensure your personal security and the security of your vehicle and possessions. . .

• Make sure that all doors are locked, don't forget the trunk, and ensure all windows are closed up tight. This is parking lot security 101, leaving a door unlocked or a window open makes it too easy for thieves. Don’t fall into the “I’ll only be a few minutes” mentality, how long does it take for a thief to get into an unlocked car and drive it away?
• Put everything out of sight even if you don't consider it to be valuable, the thief might think it so. Lock it away in the trunk, if you can't do that then cover it with a blanket.

Parking Lot Security Take precautions and always be aware of what is happening around you. We all have to use parking lots, be security conscious but don’t become paranoid.

• If you are parking all day, at work or at conference for example, return to your car when you can, during a break perhaps, and move it to a better location.
• If you are parking at night choose an area of the parking lot that is well lit. If you cannot see a fair distance and your vehicle cannot be seen from a fair distance, don't leave it there - park someplace else.
• Parking in daylight? Think about when you are likely to return to your car, will it still be daylight then? Even if you plan to be back to your vehicle before nightfall remember that you could be delayed. Check, is there any lighting in this area of the parking lot, would you choose to park here if it was dark?
• Avoid parking close to bushes, trees or walls that could provide cover for a thief. Avoid also parking next to large vans or other high-sided vehicles, you want your car, and yourself, to be as visible as possible to security cameras, security staff and others.
• Look around you before leaving your car. Is there anyone loitering unnecessarily? Anything suspicious going on? If there is park somewhere else and notify the parking lot security staff of what you have seen.
• Get into the habit of entering and leaving your car as quickly as possible. Try and avoid opening the car door before you have gathered together all that you need to take with you.



• When returning to your car look around for suspicious persons or suspicious activity as you approach. If you don't like the look of anyone, or anything, then notify security. Take a look at the back seats of your vehicle before getting in, make sure there is not anyone hiding out in your car.
• Get in the habit of setting your car alarm, and any other security devices, when you leave your car. Make use of alarm stickers or decals. If you don't have an alarm fitted - get one installed.
• As well as any invisible security measures fitted in your car use a steering wheel locking, or brake pedal locking device. These are highly visible and they let a thief know that he would need at least a little time to steal your vehicle, there is a good chance he would look for an easier target.
• When using valet parking only leave the keys that you need to with the attendant. Never leave keys that are marked with a key code and do not have your address attached to your keys.
• When parking in a lot that charges a fee always take the ticket with you, don’t leave it in your car, the auto-thief needs it to make an exit.
• Must you be alone? Whenever you can make that trip that involves using a parking lot with company. Shopping - you must have neighbors who need to make trips to the stores about as often as you do. Why not make it a date to go together, you not only will be safer in the parking lot but you will also enjoy the experience more. Parking at work - perhaps there is someone in the building that lives close to you and makes the same journey. Why not car share? Save gas, have company and only have one car in the lot to worry about.
• If you are ever threatened remember that your car and your possessions are replaceable, you are not.

Parking lots suffer a lot of crime, car theft, vandalism, pickpocketing, mugging and other personal assault. However you can do a lot to improve your parking lot security by being selective in where you park, taking basic precautions and always being aware of what is happening around you. We all have to use parking lots, be security conscious but don’t become paranoid.

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