Preventing Retail Crime Starts Here: Smarter Parking, Safer Shopping

Cheshire, CT – November 20, 2024 – As the busy holiday season approaches, with Black Friday and the biggest shopping days of the year on the horizon, retailers are gearing up for a surge in foot traffic—and an increased risk of criminal activity.

Picture this – A busy Saturday afternoon at a popular retail center. Shoppers are coming and going, arms full of bags from their favorite stores. Families load up cars, teens gather in groups, and there’s a constant hum of activity as vehicles search for the closest parking spots. For many, it’s a normal day of retail therapy. But behind the scenes, there’s an issue retail managers everywhere are facing: keeping their stores, merchandise, and shoppers safe from theft.

In the hustle and bustle of retail shopping, it’s easy to overlook the vital role parking garages and surface lots play in the overall customer experience. But for retailers, the parking garage is more than just a space for cars – it’s a key area that needs attention and security. Shoppers expect a smooth, carefree visit, from quickly finding the perfect parking spot to making it back to their vehicle and exiting the property safely. And for retailers, protecting that experience means implementing effective security measures.

Retail Theft on the Rise in America

It’s an unfortunate fact that retail stores are prime targets for theft, with increasing frequency. According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft costs businesses billions annually, leaving store operators with the difficult decision to close stores, reduce operating hours, or reduce product availability. The damage doesn’t stop at financial loss—retail theft erodes trust, disrupts operations, and can put both employees and customers at risk.

To combat this ever-growing issue, retailers are fighting back in a number of ways, both inside the store and outside.

The Loss Prevention Research Council has defined five “zones of retail influence” that represent key areas where retailers can deter crime. Each zone requires uniquely tailored strategies to prevent retail theft and improve security. Those zones are defined as follows:

• Zone 1: Anything that touches an asset (for example, product packaging or shelving)
• Zone 2: Specific store areas where assets are located (for example, shopping aisles or fitting rooms)
• Zone 3: The store’s interior and entrances/exits
• Zone 4: The parking garage and its entrances, landscaping, and surrounding streets
• Zone 5: The store’s surrounding community and online presence

Retailers across the country are combating theft in zones 1-3 in various ways. In-store loss prevention teams, security guards, and high-tech systems like facial recognition and electronic article surveillance (EAS) are all being deployed. However, the focus is often centered inside the store, while a significant part of the problem takes place outside in the parking garage or surface lot. With sprawling spaces and often limited visibility, parking facilities present opportunities for thieves to act without being easily detected. Vehicles are broken into, stolen, or used as escape routes for shoplifters, turning parking garages into crime hotspots. In response, retailers have begun to recognize that safeguarding the parking facilities is as important as securing the retail floor.

Zone 4, where customers park, is especially crucial due to the opportunity it provides for early intervention. When potential criminals see a well-maintained, closely monitored parking facility, they are more likely to think twice about committing a crime. In the event that a crime does occur, footage from these cameras can aid law enforcement in identifying the perpetrators, increasing the chances of recovery and prosecution.

In short, by enhancing security and surveillance in parking garages, retailers can better protect their assets, their customers, and, ultimately, their bottom line.

Combating Retail Theft with APGS and Park Surveillance

As retailers look to bolster their defenses against organized retail crime, the significance of Zone 4, the parking facility, cannot be overstated. That’s where the Park Assist Solution from TKH Security comes in.

A global leader in high-quality and innovative parking solutions, the Park Assist Solution is much more than an automated parking guidance system (APGS). The system’s Park Surveillance technology utilizes the camera-based smart sensors to record real-time streaming HD video 24/7, continuously or when motion is detected, in and between parking spaces. The footage is then stored, where it can be reviewed and downloaded, for up to 90 days.

Here’s how APGS and Park Surveillance technology can help retailers:

• Parking Space Video Coverage Modern HD camera-based smart sensors like the M5, with optional Park Surveillance software, offer the ability to monitor between and within parking spaces. Blind spots are significantly reduced, minimizing opportunities for crime. Additionally, these cameras can detect license plates and provide recorded visual evidence in cases of enforcement, lost tickets, vehicle-related incidents, thefts, or accidents, offering valuable footage for authorities and insurance companies.
• High-Resolution Video for Accurate Evidence Retailers need more than just video footage; they need crisp, clear video that can stand up to scrutiny. High-definition cameras, utilized in the Park Assist Solution, offer sharp, detailed visuals that can assist with identifying individuals and vehicles, even in low-light conditions. In the event of an accident or theft, this level of detail is critical for successful investigations.
• Real-Time Alerts and Recording The Automated Parking Guidance System is equipped with real-time alert capabilities. Using premium software, retailers can be notified immediately when a known, unwanted visitor pulls into a parking space, if employees are parked in restricted or premium spaces they shouldn’t be, if a vehicle has overstayed its time limit, and more. This allows store security or law enforcement to respond quickly, preventing more significant damage or losses.

“With our APGS smart parking technology, our retail partners are protecting their assets and creating a better experience for their customers. The system’s ability to track activity and provide clear footage has been a game-changer for our client’s security strategies,” said Jeff Sparrow, Director of Sales, North America.

Enhancing Safety and Liability Protection

The ideal approach to combating crime via parking facilities is twofold: prevention and protection. The presence of a HD camera-based parking guidance systems serves as a strong deterrent against crime, making parking facilities safer for customers and employees. Clear signage and visible cameras alert would-be criminals that the area is under constant observation, reducing the likelihood of theft, vandalism, and other unlawful activities in parking facilities.

However, even with the best deterrents in place, incidents can still occur. In such cases, APGS systems play a crucial role in protecting the property owner from liability claims. Negligent security claims—where a property owner is held responsible for harm caused as a result of inadequate security measures—are a growing concern. The footage from HD camera-based smart sensors, like the M5, can be critical in proving that the property owner took reasonable steps to secure the area, potentially protecting them from liability in the event of a lawsuit.

Is Park Assist the Right Solution for Your Retail Space?

As retail continues to evolve, prioritizing the safety and security of every aspect of the customer journey—including the parking garage—will be vital.

Automated Parking Guidance Systems help retailers reduce parking lot theft, enhance customer safety, and mitigate potential legal risks. By investing in advanced parking systems, retail businesses can create a safer, more efficient environment for customers and employees alike.

For more information about how the Park Assist Solution can help safeguard your retail parking lots, contact our team.