search.noResults

search.searching

saml.title
dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
FEATURE


???


using appropriate locks. Identifying and addressing any vulnerabilities promptly helps maintain a consistent level of security across all storage units. It also rein- forces the commitment of the facility to the safety of its clients’ belongings.


PROTECT WITH K-9 TRAINING


This will allow you to post signage that helps deter crimi- nals. Several local police departments have K-9 units, and they are often looking for training grounds for their dogs. If they select your location as a possible training facility, they can provide official K-9 signage indicating that you are police friendly and have routine K-9 verifications. That alone has deterred and will deter any trespasser activity at the time of rental. Usually, once potential trespassers see the signage in the office, they quickly mention that they forgot their wallet, walk out, and never come back. The presence of K-9 security dogs can foster a sense of trust within the community of facility users.


important to note that the number of day recordings is based on your DVR’s or NVR’s storage capacity. It is recommended to upgrade to at least 1TB to maintain a minimum of 30 days of recordings. In addition, many camera add-ons can be used to help deter trespassers. Having an external loudspeaker connected has an immediate impact when they get caught in the act. Pre-recorded messages can be played in a loop to advise potential thieves that authorities have been notified. There are also strobe lights and two-way radio function- alities that can easily be controlled by an app on your phone. You should also assess the cameras to ensure that they are working and recording, and that the camera housing is clean to provide clear images.


REQUIRE MANAGER SECURITY CHECKS AND TRAINING


Setting the expectation early on with staff that security is part of our job, staff should always keep their eyes and ears open for suspicious activities. Training them to do regular security rounds to speak with clients creates that presence. If any client with bad intentions sees the manager do the site walks regularly, they will think twice about breaking into a unit. Also, train your staff to review the cameras daily and review the clients who log in. If checked regularly, you can quickly identify patterns that might lead staff to verify the cameras for clients who may be loitering or bringing unwanted guests to your facility. Another important component of your training should be to walk fence lines to identify fence breaches or areas where criminals could be hiding to scope out your property. Sometimes cutting tools, bags, and dark clothing can be hidden near these areas before a crime is committed. Facility managers should conduct regular inspections to ensure that clients are


Spring 2024 23


KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN WITH YOUR COMPETITION While competition is inherent in any industry, fostering collaboration on security matters can create a united front against common threats and challenges. Having regular contact with your neighbouring storage operators can be a very successful method of prevention. Sharing suspicious activities or security breaches prompts your industry colleagues to keep a close eye.


HIRE A SECURITY GUARD


This is good for the interim. Having a guard come check the facility does help, however we have noticed vigilant trespassers will wait until the guard does their rounds and access the property immediately. It is not a long-term solution, but it may help reduce the number of units affected until other measures can be installed.


In conclusion, the amalgamation of these best practices elevates self-storage security to unprecedent- ed heights. It goes beyond meeting regulatory require- ments; it establishes a benchmark for excellence in custodial care. As operators embrace these practices, they don’t merely secure possessions; they cultivate peace of mind, trust, and an unwavering sense of confidence in the hearts of their clients. In doing so, self-storage facilities become not just guardians of belongings but stewards of a secure and trustworthy storage experience.


If you have any questions on our security best practices, reach out anytime! We’re always happy to help support our industry colleagues.


Dave Hardy is the director of operations at StorageVault.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48