Preventing and Addressing Self-Storage Crime
A Business Plan Needs A Marketing Plan.
A marketing plan needs a security plan:
- To attract customers with goods to secure;
- To deter and repel crooks who want those goods;
- To protect your investment.
Why You are The Biggest Loser
when crime finds your facility.
Create a Road Map to Security.
- Start your security planning at the curb by
creating sight lines into your facility.
- Place barriers such as rocks and shrubs at
the base of your fence.
- Place lights that broadcast your security.
Make your Gate an Access Control Point.
- Assign your gate codes. Most customers will make any easy one. Tell them that you assign codes “for their
protection.” [It is, but it’s also for yours. You don’t want “roamers” on the site.]
- Have an entry and an exit point. You want visitors to be trackable.
When You Select Cameras, Focus on Placement, Not Quantity.
- Who is the key audience for your lobby monitors? Customers? Potential thieves? Your manager? You online?
- Have an array for show pointing out, and a screen facing inward for the manager. Don’t forget: Cameras Record Crime, They Don’t Stop It.
Is Your Manager Your Greatest Asset or Your Greatest Threat?
- A well-trained manager can sell your features, screen your renters and maintain visibility to prevent crime, dangerous activities and vandalism.
- A poorly-trained or dishonest manager can rob you and your customers, infiltrate your data and information, help his criminal associates and compromise your security.
Is Your Computer An Asset or A Liability?
- Protect your assets and information by setting strict access levels.
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Protect against hacking by
- Ensuring PCI-compliant software*
- Verifying SOC1 accounting controls*
- Considering a “penetration test.”*
Don’t be a headline:
“Self-Storage computer data hacked.”
*Don’t know what this means? Ask your software provider, and demand a clear answer.
Invest in The Final Line of Defense: Locks on The Unit Door
- “Your lock, your key” lets the customer set the security level at your facility.
- Since you offer insurance, the customer loses little with a cheap lock.
- You lose your reputation, and damage your investment.
Require or Offer Locks and Lock Systems That Stop Thieves.
- A pin tumbler padlock belongs on a yard shed, not a self-storage unit.
- Don’t be fooled by a “round padlock.” All disk locks are not alike. Select one with a pick and drill resistant keyway.
- Consider a cylinder lock system to deliver security that attracts renters and repels crooks.
What is a “Bump Key”?
- If you think a generic padlock deters crime, just search “Bump Key” on Google or YouTube and be afraid.
- A medium or high security lock just might send that crook down the road.
Why Cylinder Locks?
- Flush mount system integrated with latch. No shackle or lock body to cut.
- Available with tubular or high security (virtually pick and drill proof) keyways.
- All units look the same. No “easy road map” for thieves.
Require Insurance or an Insurance Waiver to Protect Your Investment.
- Discuss with your attorney how to set liability limits for renters in your lease.
- Make the renter sign to acknowledge that he or she has selected or refused insurance.
- Restrict the type and value of property to be stored, or require a waiver of liability*.
* May not hold up in court. Consult with your attorney.
What’s New?
- Automated facilities built around “24 hour” kiosks promise hands free management.
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The questions you must ask: How do you
- maintain control of the site?
- lock and unlock empty units?
- restrict access to individual sections?
- ensure on site renter safety?
Summary
- A Business Plan needs a Security Plan.
- You risk more from poor security than your renter.
- Select your manager carefully.
- Make a security lock the final line of defense.
Questions for You
- Do you have contacts with local law enforcement?
- Does your local planning board require a security plan?
- Is there drug activity in your area?
- Do you calculate cost per unit for security?
Acknowledgments
Presented at Inside Self-Storage World Expo, April 3, 2013, Las Vegas, NV.
Thanks to the following for their information and insight:
Jim Chiswell, Jim DiNardo, Jeffrey Goldberger, Markus Hecker, Norm Kotoch, jr., Mike Sawyer.