Parking lots and structures aren’t much to look at, but they play a critically important role in your commercial building’s day-to-day activities. As a commercial property owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure your parking areas are safe, easy to navigate, and equipped accordingly.
But sometimes, unfortunate things happen, both in and beyond our control. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 11 percent of property crimes occur in parking lots or garages and over 7 percent of violent crimes occur there. Crimes in parking areas range from minor property theft to assault.
And sometimes, distracted drivers are to blame for other incidents. Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. And, around the holidays, parking lots become even more dangerous as people are in a hurry to complete their shopping.
With so much at stake, you as a property owner simply cannot afford to be lax in your maintenance and upkeep. That said,if it’s been more than six months since you last inspected your parking areas, add it to your to-do list. Where to begin? We’ve curated a checklist to help you get a better handle on parking area safety and security:
Cleanliness: Not only is trash unsightly; it can be a hazard. That’s why you need to take extra care in ensuring that the facility is in tip-top shape. By routinely picking up debris left behind in the garage or in your parking lot, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your garage clean and boosting the value of your property. Having trash cans available in and around the parking areas is another easy way to curb littering. Emptying those can regularly is vital.
Lighting and security. Your parking areas are an extension of your buildings. Therefore, it’s important that they’re adequately lit and secured. That includes the parking area as well as any stairwells. The installation of well-designed security lighting can help reduce or even eliminate car break-ins, robberies, vandalism, and burglaries.
Beyond lighting, consider the power of psychology in deterring crime. Depending on the size of your facility, video surveillance might be adequate. However, if your parking structure has multiple floors, you might want to go the extra mile and hire a security team or contractor. After all, in today’s litigious climate, you don’t want to leave anything to chance.
Regular maintenance. Like anything else, parking lots wear down over time. This is particularly true when they’re exposed to chemicals such as oil, anti-freeze, and gasoline. Combine these factors with erosion from wind, rain and general wear and tear, and cracks, potholes, and other problems are sure to arise. Regularly inspect your parking areas; if you notice something is amiss, take preventive action to keep it from getting worse. Nothing can ruin someone’s day like a bent rim for hitting a pothole. Or worse, someone could sprain an ankle from a misstep and you could have a lawsuit on your hands. Yikes!
Emergency equipment. All parking structures should have an AED, fire extinguisher, and first-aid kit that’s visible and clearly marked. Should an accident or emergency happen, your team members can access them until emergency personnel arrives.
Vigilance. Keep an eye out for questionable activity in your parking lot and encourage your tenants to do the same. Tenants should be trained in what to watch for and should be given a way to report anything that seems out of the norm. The more people keeping a watchful eye on things, the less likely crime is to occur.
Training. It’s always a good idea to be proactive, and training can empower people to identify potential threats and defend themselves if necessary. You might consider underwriting the cost so that your tenants feel like you’re invested in their security.
Common sense. Tenants should remind their workers not to keep anything valuable in plain sight in their vehicles. Windows should be up and doors locked. Staff should also avoid wearing earbuds when walking to and from their cars, as this can make them easier targets. Also, drivers should always have their lights on in a parking garage so that they are visible to other motorists and pedestrians.
Are you doing enough to keep your parking facilities secure? If not, the sooner you take action, the better. If this responsibility is weighing on you, know that you don’t have to go it alone. Our property management company is well equipped to manage your tenants and your commercial property from start to finish! These services include property maintenance and compliance, retail vacancy marketing and tenant placement, rent collection and accounting, on-call property managers, web-based portals for property owners and tenants, and all other commercial rental management services. In other words, we specialize in full-service property solutions. We have three goals for our commercial property clients: maximize profitability, keep operating expenses low without sacrificing tenant satisfaction and build value by protecting your investment. Contact our office today to find out more! https://www.propertymanagementinc.com/