Do Commercial Security Systems Actually Deter Criminals?
Commercial security systems are put in place to protect valuable resources, materials, and people. A criminal that decides to target a business can not only cause a lot of damage, they can create a long list of problems.
Alarms and alerts are important for letting a business owner know when a crime is occurring. This is an incredibly important service, but deterring a criminal before they decide to target your business is much more advantageous.
Businesses try to use a variety of methods to deter criminals. Fake surveillance cameras are a popular method. Others use physical barriers such as gates to keep criminals out.
But what about commercial security systems? Are they only effective after a crime has occurred?
Here’s how commercial security systems help your business:
Security Cameras Are Most Effective
Proper Environment Helps
Signs Give Criminals Pause
Alert Systems Are Needed, Too
Professionally-Installed Systems Work Best
Security Cameras Are Most Effective
KVTB 7 interviewed 86 burglars to ask about what they’d look for in a home before breaking in and what might convince them to look elsewhere. Their research found:
“Generally, burglars agreed security cameras were a deterrent.”
The ease at which businesses can find and install security cameras have made them more ubiquitous. This leads to criminals becoming hyper-aware of their presence.
Technological advancements have improved the video quality these cameras can provide. The ability to connect these cameras directly to the internet also makes it much more difficult for criminals to get around security cameras.
Previously, criminals could find the security tape and simply remove it. Instant digitization of security footage eliminates this vulnerability. Criminals know about this and are much more likely to avoid a business that employs a quality surveillance system.
Visit NCA to learn more about commercial security systems in Nashville and all of middle Tennessee!
Proper Environment Helps
Security cameras do a lot to deter criminals, but you can increase the effectiveness of this by creating an atmosphere of security.
This includes considerations such as appropriate lighting, secure locks and barriers, and even coordinating your efforts with surrounding businesses.
Criminals tend to take the whole picture into account. This means they will notice if you and neighboring businesses are looking out for each other. Employing similar security measures with your neighbors will combine to create a network that is likely to send criminals looking elsewhere.
For example, the area in which you are surveilling doubles if both you and a neighbor employ security cameras on the outside of your businesses. This reduces blind spots and gives a more complete context should someone decide to attempt to break in.
Signs Give Criminals Pause
You’ll receive signs that you can put out as notifications of your security system when you work with an expert company like NCA. Stickers can be placed in windows and physical signs can be placed outside your doors.
A study reports that “security signs were the 9th most considered security measure” by criminals before entering a building.
Anything you can do to put a seed of doubt in the mind of a potential burglar is beneficial to your home or business. Commercial security systems have multiple layers that work together to provide the protection you need.
Placing signs out for all to see might seem like a small part of that effort, but it works in conjunction with every other aspect of your system.
Alert Systems Are Needed, Too
Security cameras and signs, however, are not the only factor considered by criminals.
Combining what we’ve previously learned with a study from Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice shows the whole story of how important security systems can be for both homeowners and business owners:
“In short, the study found that an installed burglar alarm makes a dwelling less attractive to the would-be and active intruders and protects the home without displacing burglaries to nearby homes.”
Attempts to deter criminals might not always work. We should do all we can to accomplish this, but backup measures are essential to provide a complete security plan.
Monitoring services provide multiple levels of security for both residential and commercial buildings. Fires, break-ins, and more will send alerts to our technicians so you’re protected even when nobody’s around.
Professionally-Installed Commercial Security Systems Work Best
NCA works with business owners throughout the Nashville area and surrounding middle Tennessee communities. We can help you put together a system that is perfect for your needs and give you the peace of mind you need.
You’ve worked hard to build a profitable business. You should do all you can to protect this investment and give criminals a reason to avoid your establishment altogether.