Does the airport parking lot have ample lighting? The lot’s driving and pedestrian areas must have plenty of bright lights, with minimal shadows where an attacker can hide. High-risk areas include elevators, stairwells and the exteriors of parking garages.
Another safety feature to consider is lighting during the day. Sometimes, the stark contrast between bright daylight and a dark garage when drivers enter a parking garage can momentarily blind them. Lighting the entrances to parking garages will minimize the chance of this happening.
Airports can also make parking lots more secure by controlling access to specific areas. Gates, security booths and raising and lowering arms help to manage pedestrian and vehicular entry. Use structural elements such as fencing and cement barriers or block off spots that allow attackers to hide, such as cutaway spaces under stairs.
If a light burns out, replace it quickly. Staying on top of maintenance will keep the lot well-lit while sending potential intruders a message that the lot receives constant, thorough attention. Criminals know they are more likely to get caught in a well-maintained lot, which often discourages them from taking the risk.
In addition to discouraging crime, a well-maintained lot will also lower the chance of injuries and accidents. One of the four Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles established by the National Crime Prevention Council is Image and Milieu, which states that a well-maintained property will significantly improve safety.
Weathered, wet or damaged surfaces can cause people to slip, trip or skid, so putting in permeable surfaces is an eco-friendly and effective way to keep excess moisture away and ensure the property has sufficient water drainage.
Keeping the landscaping well-groomed is crucial, as dense, tall shrubbery gives criminals a readily available hiding spot. Trim the bushes and plants around the parking lot and thin them out so an attacker would be unable to use greenery to hide.
Having guard patrols in the parking lot is another standard way to increase a parking lot’s safety. An authoritative presence is an effective method for deterring crime. Ensuring officers have training and support will make them more successful at their jobs.
Places with more visibility experience less crime. Besides adequate lighting, landscaping and access control, a CCTV system will monitor activity in airport parking lots. It’s also a tool that will help security officers perform essential functions.
Remember that a surveillance system also requires monitoring to function well. Having some cameras in a parking lot is only as effective as the security response to the threat. If a criminal realizes there is a delayed response to their suspicious behavior — such as peering into cars or watching other patrons’ activities — it may convince them that they can commit a criminal act unnoticed.
Having an unmonitored surveillance system can even further encourage criminals to act. When parking patrons see security cameras, it often provides them with a false sense of safety, and they may lower their guard against crime.
Effective monitoring solutions for a CCTV system include the following.
- Voice-activated security sound systems: By installing a voice-activated security sound system, the sounds of an attack will activate all CCTV cameras in the vicinity. The cameras then focus immediately on the activity and alert security guards.
- Motion detectors: Airports must also consider installing motion detectors or investing in a CCTV system that includes analytics for detecting motion. These are both effective for alerting security personnel of a disturbance on the property. A motion sensor detects infrared heat, triggering an alarm if the heat in a given area increases suddenly. These systems prevent a false alarm caused by the wind.
Installing emergency phones and panic buttons considerably improves parking lot safety. The mere presence of these will help deter crime and ensure that help arrives quickly in an emergency.
An emergency phone will allow parking lot patrons to access security personnel directly when they need it. When someone presses a panic button, an alarm will sound immediately and direct security personnel to the emergency location. For accidents, attacks and health emergencies, tools like these make security guards even more effective.
