Night patrol services are an effective way to prevent and discourage crime from occurring in and around businesses. According to a study published by TheSleepJudge that analyzed police incident reports in major cities, violent crimes such as robbery and assault are more likely to occur at night. By acquiring night patrol services, businesses can help eliminate these types of incidents and keep their building, property and staff safe from harm.
What are Night Patrol Services?
Similar to residential properties, businesses are at risk for crimes like theft and vandalism. Night patrol services involve the hiring of professionally trained and certified security officers. These security officers patrol the premises of a business and possess the special skills needed to handle crimes involving suspects and perpetrators.
Night patrol officers follow strict procedures to maximize the security presence around a business property. These services may include the use of high-visibility patrol vehicles and uniformed officers who may be armed or unarmed. With a constant presence, business owners can maintain peace of mind that their business is being monitored.
Some benefits of night patrol services include:
Preventing Break-ins & Burglary
Retail burglary, which involves breaking and entering a business with the intent of stealing items, often results in costly damage to the building and the loss of valuable merchandise. These types of burglaries most often occur at night or after regular business hours as this allows the criminal to enter the building unnoticed. In addition to implementing external measures, such as strengthened windows and doors, many businesses rely on night patrol services to ward off criminals. With the presence of trained and experienced security officer onsite, criminals are less likely to attempt a break-in and burglary.
Eliminating Vandalism
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, just one incident of vandalism can cost a business an average of $3,370. As vandalism is on the rise, businesses are at risk for costly property damage. Not only does vandalism cost money due to repairs and replacements required following a criminal incident, but an act of vandalism can also force a business to temporarily shut down, resulting in lost income. Professional security presence can help eliminate vandalism and prevent property damage. Professional officers are trained to handle all types of criminal acts and know what steps to take to keep vandals away.
Immediate Response
When a security incident occurs in or around a business, it is important to have someone onsite to handle the situation as quickly as possible. With a dedicated patrol officer on the premises, thieves, vandals and other criminals can be caught within minutes which can help minimize or eliminate any damage or losses. Night security services may also include quick response to business alarm systems. When an alarm sounds indicating that someone is trying to break into the business, an onsite security officer will immediately validate and reset the alarm, as well as contact the local police if an actual crime does occur.
Contacting Police
Patrol officers are often the first responders to security incidents in or around a business. When an incident occurs, businesses can count on their hired security officers to immediately notify police of the crime which allows law enforcement to take the next steps in arresting and charging any perpetrators involved. Businesses do not always realize that a crime has occurred until hours later; by this time, the criminal has already had time to flee the scene. With night patrol services, law enforcement can be contacted within minutes of a crime to increase the chances of a business getting justice.
Protecting Neighborhoods
Modern security officers provide numerous services, including the protection of neighborhoods. A security officer is able to patrol a neighborhood by foot, bike or vehicle, depending on the size of the area. Trained security officers understand what types of scenarios look suspicious and when to act when a situation escalates.
Perpetrators often prefer to hide under the cover of darkness and will generally commit crimes when they believe people are asleep. With night patrol services, neighborhoods can rest easy knowing that there is an experienced security officer warding off intruders.
Get Started with Professional Security Services
Business owners often worry about their businesses being broken into at night when no one is around; however, employers cannot be on the premises all the time. To keep the building and its contents safe at night, many business owners acquire night patrol services. Hired security professionals can provide a wide range of benefits to businesses. They can keep a watchful eye on a property, remove trespassers, deter criminal activity, ensure quick response times to security threats, perform business checks and even provide lock-up services. For more information about night patrol services or to acquire security services, reach out to the security experts at APG today.