Ideas for Car Lot Security
- Car lots often feature new cars that are highly susceptible to damage.Close up detail of a classic car at a car show image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
There are two main types of car lots: parking lots and lots that feature cars for sale. Parking lots require unsupervised use by customers who want access to their vehicles at all times. These lots benefit most from guards and cameras rather than car alarms and locks. Car lots designed to sell cars work well with any kind of security system. - Security cameras can be installed on light posts, walls and ceilings. Though these cameras will not stop a thief or vandal in his tracks, they might deter people with malicious intentions. These cameras make it easier to catch people who steal or vandalize because you have photographic proof of their activities.
- A parking lot security guard can double as a lot attendant, or he might be an addition to a traditional lot attendant. Security guards watch for suspicious behavior and can be used in conjunction with a camera system. The guard can watch the parking lot remotely, using monitors connected to a live stream from the cameras. Security guards also might carry a weapon to protect themselves from armed criminals.
- Lots that feature cars for sale might benefit from an addition of car alarms. Equip every car with an alarm for the highest rate of success. Some alarm systems do nothing but make loud noises when someone messes with the car. Other alarms send you a remote signal so that you know there is a potential problem. Car alarms are even more effective if you keep someone on the lot at all times.
- You can add walls and locked gates to a lot to keep criminals out during off hours. You can also add locks to your vehicles such as those that attach to a steering wheel, which make cars much harder to steal. However, adding locks to cars does not prevent external damage or vandalism.
