BY: CHRIS SKINNER, DIRECTOR OF SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES
For many, parking lots and garages are a secondary concern when it comes to physical security, treated as something of an afterthought compared to the building itself. However, recent times have seen an increased focus on the amount of vulnerabilities present in parking lots and structures, and technological advancements are addressing these vulnerabilities in powerful ways.
With developments like License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, Artificial Intelligence/Analytics, direct-to-cloud cameras and more, there has never been a better time to invest in securing parking lots and garages to protect people and property.
Why it Matters
Statistically speaking, parking lot crime is anything but a fringe concern. According to FBI data, approximately one in every ten property crimes occurs in a parking lot or garage. Worse, according to the National Institute of Justice, 7.3% of violent crimes occur in parking facilities, with the odds of violent crime increasing dramatically at night.
However, video surveillance can help secure parking facilities in multiple ways, as well as increase operational efficiency. Some of the many potential benefits include:
- Deterrence: The presence of security cameras has proven to be a powerful deterrent against would-be criminals. When criminals know that they are being watched, they are more likely to think twice before engaging in illegal activity, and much less likely to act.
- Evidence: In the event of a crime, video surveillance footage can provide valuable evidence for law enforcement investigations, helping to identify and apprehend criminals.
- Response: Video surveillance can help security personnel to respond more quickly (and depending on the circumstances, even proactively) to suspicious activity or emergencies. This can help to prevent crimes from happening and to protect people from harm.
- Management: Video surveillance can be used to manage parking spaces more efficiently. By monitoring parking lot occupancy, businesses can optimize their parking operations and reduce congestion.
The power of LPR and AI
Modern video surveillance systems are getting smarter, using advanced technologies like LPR and AI analytics to help security personnel keep parking lots safe. LPR systems can automatically capture and analyze license plate information, which can be used to identify stolen vehicles, track suspicious activity, and enforce parking regulations.
AI analytics can further increase the capability of surveillance systems by detecting unusual behavior, unauthorized access, or potential threats. AI-powered cameras can detect and recognize specific objects or behaviors, such as abandoned bags, loitering, circling the lot repeatedly, or other suspicious actions. When such events occur, the system can generate instant alerts, allowing security personnel to respond promptly and prevent potential threats, as well as provide information to the proper authorities if necessary. This helps proactively address potential risks before they escalate.
Direct-To-Cloud Cameras
Direct-to-cloud cameras are helpful for securing parking lots because they offer a number of advantages over traditional cameras that record footage to local storage.
- Reliable recording: Direct-to-cloud cameras record footage to the cloud, which is a more reliable storage solution than local storage. This is because the cloud is not susceptible to physical damage, such as fire or theft.
- Remote access: Direct-to-cloud cameras can be accessed remotely, which allows security personnel to monitor footage from anywhere, at any time. This is useful for responding to incidents quickly and efficiently.
- Scalability: Direct-to-cloud cameras can be easily scaled to meet the needs of any parking lot. This is because the cameras do not require any local infrastructure, such as servers or storage devices.
- Cost-effective: Direct-to-cloud cameras can be more cost-effective than traditional cameras, as they do not require any local infrastructure, and are ready to plug-and-play anywhere with a reliable network connection.
- Solar Power: Direct-to-cloud cameras can run on solar, further reducing infrastructure burden.
In addition to these advantages, direct-to-cloud cameras can also be equipped with features such as AI analytics and LPR, which can further enhance their security capabilities.
The Way Forward
As with all areas of physical security, there are no foolproof guarantees when securing parking areas, but proper preparation and solution design from a qualified technology partner can make a massive difference. To get started on securing your parking lot or garage, contact Tech today.
