08/12/2024
Some points of pondering for you: How many of you have financial planners helping to plan your financial future? How many of you have a contractor helping you to plan a renovation? How many of you have a business that you soak your life into to see it thrive? How many of you have someone helping you to advance that business? It takes planning to make things work out, right? Why is security any different?
Easy: PERCEPTION. Most people picture fences, cameras, alarms and guards when asked what they think security looks like. Some of these things may be necessary; however, have you ever considered how your lighting and sightlines to your property play a massive role in what happens there?
Million dollar question: How many of you have a security plan?
Properly planned security is like an onion, it has layers. Each layer should build off the last. It starts at the sidewalk or end of your driveway and works toward the house. Here are some questions to consider for just your vehicles and where they are parked and how that can play a role in your plan.
Are your vehicles parked in the driveway or on the street?
If on the street:
Is the area lit? White or orange lighting?
Do you have valuables inside? Tools? Clothing? Laptop? Purse? Wallet? Cell phone? Charger cables?
Is the vehicle locked?
Did you leave your garage door opener inside?
Did you leave the financial documents for your insurance inside your glovebox?
Do you own a vehicle that is highly targeted for theft?
TOP 10 MOST STOLEN VEHICLES IN CANADA 2023 (From Canadian Underwriters)
2020 Honda CRV 5620 stolen
2022 Dodge Ram 1500 2600 stolen
2020 Ford F150 1833 stolen
2020 Lexus RX Series 1815 stolen
2021 Toyota Highlander 1759 stolen
2019 Honda Civic 1493 stolen
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1349 stolen
2020 Land Rover Range Rover 1343 stolen
2006 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1260 stolen
2021 Jeep Wrangler 1189 stolen
If you have one of these vehicles do you have any aftermarket security devices such as an immobilizer installed? No, factory systems don't count. If they worked the way they were supposed to they wouldn't be on this list.
If on the driveway:
Is your driveway properly lit? Do you use LED lighting? Motion lighting? (For the record, motion lighting is not effective)
Do all of your lights around the house work?
Are the vehicles visible from the street or are they behind bushes?
Are there any sightlines to the vehicle from around your property? (this is a good thing)
At the house:
If you stand at the end of your driveway and look at your front yard:
Is the path to your front door clear? IE one can find it easily?
Is there any visibility from the street to the front door? This is a good thing.
Is the front door area lit? Could a neighbor see someone standing at your door?
Do large bushes or trees obstruct visibility to the front door?
Is the landscaping maintained?
Do you have large bushes concealing windows?
Is there anything in the front yard that would be appealing for one to grab?
Do you have garden tools outside?
Do you have any bikes visible?
ATVs?
RVs?
Trailers?
Are they locked and secured?
Do you have any "free" stuff at the end of your driveway? Is it brought in at night or just left there? Is your vehicle near this "free" stuff?
If you are in the dark about your security plan let us help to shine some light on it. See the pictures attached and think about which one would be the most likely to be the target. They are the same houses. ( Importance of lighting and landscape maintenance. )
Give our office a call at 250-374-9969 to talk to our security specialists about how we can help you best protect your space. We are the ONLY security company in the Interior of BC that has Advanced Level II Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Certification.
