by Holly Robinson
January 20, 2012 10:08 AM
Because of several burglaries in self storage units in Provo, Utah, city police recommend that storage renters take steps to protect their belongings. Provo police Sergeant Mathew Sifufanua stated that using good crime prevention steps reduces the likelihood of being an easy target for a burglar.
He gave 7 tips for renters to follow. He recommended that people rent from storage facilities where:
- Customer photo identification is required
- Empty storage units are secured to prevent burglars from accessing an empty unit and breaking into an adjacent one that is occupied
- Entry and exit gates have limited hours
- The grounds are patrolled regularly
- There is proper lighting at night
- Effective security fencing is around the facility
- Unit surveillance is available
While his tips were for renters, self storage owners and managers can turn them around and ask themselves the same questions to see if their business has these security features. If you don't have them, you might want to consider implementing them.
There are other things that could be done to increase the security of your self storage facility. For example, having an on-site residential manager that lives on the property is also a good safety feature. If you don't have an on-site apartment for the manger to live in, you could hire a company that provides security guards. These guards could patrol your facility at nights.
If you have a multi-story facility, install a keypad access to the elevators. You could set it up so that every floor has a different keypad access code.
There are two types of lighting systems that you could install: lights that stay on all of the time at night or motion-sensor lights. Make sure all lights are well-placed and of industrial quality. Another option is to set up a motion-sensor light system that is connected to your alarm system. When a motion triggers the light, it also sets of the facility's alarms and the lights flash. Lights in individual units are also recommended.
You could also set up two alarm systems. One could be set up on the fencing around the perimeter of your facility. The other system could be for individual storage units.
Sergeant Sifufanua suggested that potential renters look for facilities that have effective security fencing. If you only have a chain link fence, you might want to consider building a brick or cinderblock fence. These are the most secure type of fences. These fences also prevent potential intruders from seeing into the self storage facility.
Sources Used:
"Provo police alert public to storage burglaries, security measures." The Salt Lake Tribune; 19 January 2012.
Baltimore Storage.