6 Security Steps For Property Owners In High Crime Areas
Baltimore is a city with a rich history, but it also faces challenges with crime. While crime can happen anywhere, certain neighborhoods such as Sandtown-Winchester and Cherry Hill face significant safety concerns. For property owners in these high-crime areas, enhancing security measures is important to protect residents and visitors. Plus, it’s a legal obligation.
A Baltimore personal injury lawyer who is familiar with Maryland negligent security rules can help property owners improve security and reduce crime. Also, if a person is hurt in the process of a criminal act due to a landlord failing to take certain safety precautions, lawyers can guide those victims on how to obtain financial relief for injury-related expenses.
Ways to Improve Security
To create a safer environment, property owners should consider the following security enhancements.
- Improved lighting. Proper lighting is one of the simplest yet most effective deterrents against crime. Well-lit areas reduce the likelihood of criminal activities and make residents and visitors feel safer. Install bright lights around building exteriors, parking lots, and pathways and use motion-sensor lights to illuminate areas only when movement is detected, conserving energy and deterring intruders.
- Surveillance cameras. Acting as both a deterrent and a tool for identifying perpetrators, modern security cameras offer high-definition footage. Place cameras at all entry and exit points, as well as in common areas like hallways, lobbies, and parking lots. Also, clearly display signs indicating the presence of surveillance cameras to deter potential criminals.
- Access control systems. Restricting access to the property can reduce unauthorized entry. Use keycard systems or coded entry systems to control access to buildings and implement a visitor check-in system to track who enters and exits a property.
- Security personnel. Hiring professional security personnel can provide an immediate and visible deterrent to crime. Security guards can respond quickly to incidents and provide a sense of safety. Once guards have been hired, schedule regular patrols around the property to monitor for suspicious activity.
- Fencing and barriers. Physical barriers can prevent unauthorized access and protect vulnerable areas of the property. Use high-quality fencing around the perimeter of the property to ward off trespassers and use secure gates with controlled access points to manage entry and exit.
- Community engagement. Engaging with the community can foster a sense of collective responsibility and vigilance. Encourage the formation of a neighborhood watch program where residents work together to monitor and report suspicious activities. Keep open lines of communication with residents, informing them about security measures and encouraging them to report any concerns.
Property owners in all areas of Baltimore need to keep security in mind, and the tools implemented may need to be more extensive in high-crime areas such as Sandtown-Winchester and Cherry Hill. Proactive security efforts protect individuals, contribute to the overall well-being of the neighborhood, and provide legal protections. Talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Has a crime on your property led to a legal dispute? Talk to the attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP to protect your rights. Contact us to book a confidential appointment.
