Review Current Security Systems

Property managers should actively monitor devices such as cameras, lighting, locks on secure entrances, and other equipment. Review placement of these devices to ensure that they cover any common areas and that all are in working condition.

Screen Residents

Be sure to screen both residents and employees. Background checks are essential to ensuring that you have high quality employees and residents. These screenings will help to identify potential issues and can reassure prospective residents that they are moving into a safe community.

Communicate with Residents

Keep a line of communication open with your residents. Be sure to remind them to keep their doors and windows locked. Each resident should feel comfortable reporting suspicious activity to their property managers. Hire a company to come in and do a security presentation to offer suggestions on how individual residents can be a part of the overall security in your property.

In some cases you may be able to decrease your liability insurance by establishing a crime prevention program.

Highlight Staff

Your staff members should be easily identifiable. Identification is even more important for staff members who directly enter resident’s homes as burglars can often be mistaken for maintenance workers. Require all staff to carry photo ID and wear a uniform, and be sure to develop a program to remind residents and neighbors when staff will be entering their home.

Work with local police

Getting to know your local police personnel can make a big difference in your community’s security. Your local department can help you initiate a crime watch program to keep your residents involved, and some offer local crime updates to keep citizens informed of pattern crimes.