January 2020
Food deliveries pose a security challenge to condo communities. That risk is likely to grow as Uber enters the food delivery business.
Condo security is intended to delay, deter or detect individuals seeking entry to a building until their identity is determined or access granted. Residents waiting for their food delivery can circumvent access control precautions to speed up delivery thus creating a security risk.
Food deliveries are made by contractors who may be unknown to the building or restaurant. They are not registered or licensed. Once they enter a building there is no accountability should the contractor act in an improper manner. Should the individual cause damage or break into a suite, a resident granting entry could be held responsible. If this were to occur, there may be no record of who picked up and delivered an order. Without a way to identify the individual there may be no way to hold them accountable. Should the individual be identified and not insured, there may be no way to obtain compensation for deliberate or accidental damage.
Surveillance cameras are unlikely to detect damage or theft by an individual granted access beyond a lobby door or security desk.
The best approach is for residents to meet food delivery personnel in a lobby area under video surveillance. As this may be an inconvenience to residents, delivery personnel may be granted building access by any resident, or allowed to enter a building by condo security personnel. This is contrary to security precautions intended to protect residents and building property.
The convenience of fast food delivery conflicts with building security precautions. Condo communities allowing this convenience accept the risks.
