September 2018
After condo crime occurs it is natural for people to seek ways to better protect themselves.
Reassuring condo owners and residents is crucial to showing that crime is viewed as a serious risk. This reassurance provides confidence that security is taken seriously, that protections are in place and functioning.
One of the easiest ways to provide this reassurance is to install additional or upgraded surveillance equipment. Police may suggest additional cameras and lighting which make sense in some areas but not everywhere. Too much equipment can turn a condo community to something more akin to a security zone that infringes on personal space, privacy and convenience. Spending more money on protection against crime than combined losses also makes little sense.
Physical security measures will not prevent or record every transgression. Directors and management cannot be expected to provide 100 percent protection against crimes to the condo community.
Other approaches can be equally effective without placing a financial strain on limited condo budgets.
Posting visible notices asking residents to be more vigilant can educate and deter crime. Instruct residents to call 911 to report anything of concern. A large number of calls to 911 can result in a larger local police presence which discourages would-be thieves.
Visible notices put potential perpetrators of crime on notice that the community is on a heightened level of vigilance. Such areas tend to be avoided by those intent on committing crime or vandalism.
