FEATURE N
o one in the self-storage industry likes to start their day hearing or saying the words, “We have had a security breach.” These breaches are typically followed by time-consuming management of upset clients, fixing property dam- age, police presence, and tireless reporting. Before delving into the best practices, let’s understand why security is of utmost importance in self-storage facili- ties. Clients who utilize self-storage services prioritize security as one of the top features they look for in a facility. Therefore, it is not a surprise to us that when a security breach occurs, we are the first in line to feel the pain. Statistics Canada showed a decrease in property crime during COVID-19 as more people started working from home. During this time, self-storage became an easy alternative with generally no one “home” overnight. Self-storage facilities have been a target for indi- viduals in the black-and-white stripes looking to make a quick dollar at the local pawn shop. They ransack, damage, and steal belongings, leaving storage manag- ers and owners to pick up the pieces. This takes time out of the day that could be spent generating leads and rentals, not to mention it destroys clients’ trust in us. The question is, what is the industry doing to prevent them? Even further, are we educated enough on this subject to efficiently make the right decisions for site equipment and theft prevention?
Nowadays, intruders wearing a COVID mask do not look suspicious during their actions and avoid being identified on cameras, which is adding more of a challenge when building a case with the authorities. Unfortunately, many security breaches often go unsolved, but that is slowly changing with proactive measures now being explored. Far too long have we all delayed education on security breach- es and theft prevention.
In 2023, over 70 percent of all self-storage insurance claims were theft related. That does not include the settlements done at a store level. A simple Google search of break-ins at self-storage facilities will bring up many different stories on how a client’s unit was broken into and how the storage com- pany handled it. The media feeds on this, and unfortu- nately, the narrative is rarely positive on our side. Additionally, clients are quick to leave poor reviews after a security breach, impacting Google ratings, reputation, and possibly future rentals.
So, this question remains: What can we do better as operators to protect our facilities, our clients’ belongings, and our reputation?
The following is a list of best practices you could adopt to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) the risk of a security breach. We need to ensure that criminals feel that we are always “home” and watching.
Spring 2024 21 RESTRICT ACCESS HOURS
As the old saying goes, nothing good happens after mid- night. This is especially true in self-storage. Data shows that less than 2 percent of clients access storage facilities after midnight. The concept is simple yet effective: Limit access to the self-storage facility during specific hours. The benefits of enforcing restricted access hours are multifaceted. First and foremost, it allows for heightened security during non-operational hours. It ultimately reduces the likelihood of theft, vandalism, or other criminal activities that often occur under the cover of darkness. Moreover, by delineating specific access hours, self-storage facilities can streamline their monitoring
efforts. Security personnel, surveillance systems, and other protective measures can be intensified during these critical time frames. For clients utilizing the storage units, restricted access hours instill a sense of confidence in the security measures of the facility. Knowing that their belongings are safeguarded during designated periods adds an extra layer of assurance. Restricting access makes it easier to identify trespassers on camera and lock down the facility, which brings us to the next point.
AUTO-ARM BUILDINGS AFTER HOURS
Building on the foundation of restricted access hours, another crucial security best practice for self-storage facilities is the implementation of auto-arming systems after operational hours. This technological solution adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that the facility remains secure even in the absence of active staff. If your storage facility has only interior units, you will have the ability to install door contacts at each of your building entry points and tie this into your office alarm. Any attempts to get into the building will now trigger an alert to you or your security company. It is highly recommended that you tie in a loud audible alarm to further deter
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