Parking Facilities

SMSI Staff Writer

06.01.03

One of the most vulnerable hot beds of crime are parking facilities. In fact there is a considerable body of case law that specifically deals with parking facility liability.

The most common security remedies include the use of barriers, lighting, CCTV, and security personnel. Each of these remedies, and those not mentioned, have costs attached to them. The improper use of these methodologies may actually increase liability.

For example, when employing CCTV, never use dummy cameras. Be sure to video record all camera activity. Be sure that cameras assigned to common areas are watched live by trained security personnel. If cameras are used for common areas; be sure there is sufficient lighting to support effective viewing.

Lighting should be maintained at the 3 foot-candle, (fc) to 6 fc range.

Whatever methodologies are deployed, they should be fully integrated in order to achieve maximum cost effective impact.