Outdoor shopping centers have unique security needs because they are not enclosed like shopping malls. These areas are harder to control and monitor because they are outdoors, so there are no clear entryways or exits. Outdoor shopping centers require extra levels of security in order to ensure the safety and security of all workers and shoppers. We’ve compiled a list of tips that can help improve the security of an outdoor shopping center.

Have a Security Risk Assessment

Outdoor shopping centers are highly vulnerable to threats and security breaches. For this reason, the best way to improve security is to have a security company perform a security risk assessment. This assessment will reveal all areas of vulnerability and provide valuable suggestions to solve these problems. A security risk assessment is the best way to get professional advice to help make your property more secure.

Install Announcement Speakers

Having speakers that can be heard throughout the shopping center is a great way to improve security. Security personnel and management can easily communicate with everyone in the shopping center at once, both employees and shoppers. In the event of an emergency, speakers are an effective way to alert everyone at once and explain the situation. The most efficient way to make any security-related announcement is to have speakers that reach every area of the shopping center.

Ensure Communication Between Stores

Be sure to have a system in place to allow employees in different stores within the shopping center to communicate with one another. In the event of an emergency, employees will want to be able to communicate with neighboring stores, both to warn them and to ask for help. Store employees should also have the ability to easily communicate with security when there is a problem. Installing a system that is quicker and more efficient than telephones will help improve security and ensure that any emergencies or security breaches are addressed quickly,

Install Security Cameras

Security cameras are essential to the security of outdoor shopping centers. Cameras are the best way to keep eyes on the whole property. Install cameras that view the entrances to each store, as well as every part of the open areas where shoppers walk around. You might also consider installing security cameras in parking areas for added protection. Security cameras are the best way to help security personnel keep an eye on your property in order to address issues as soon as they happen. In the event of a crime, security cameras will also provide valuable documentation to give to the police.

Hire Security Officers

In addition to security personnel monitoring your security cameras, outdoor shopping centers should also have security officers that patrol the property. Because there is so much ground to cover and it is completely open, it’s important to have security personnel patrolling your property. They will be valuable assets both to deter crime and to make sure that there are available personnel ready to respond to any situation that might occur. Additionally, security officers will be highly trained in emergency response and be able to direct patrons where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Have Clear Emergency Response Procedures

Outdoor shopping centers have large crowds of people and very open layouts. This combination can lead to complete chaos during an emergency situation. For this reason, it’s important to have a clear emergency response plan in place. All employees, not just security personnel, should be trained in emergency response procedures and kept up to date with periodic drills. Having a clear emergency response procedure will help reduce the chaos during an emergency and allow all employees to provide direction to shoppers.

United Security Incorporated | Security Officer Staffing

Although it’s tempting to hire security officers as quickly as possible to protect your property, ultimately it will cost you more than it’s worth in the long term. Hiring unqualified security officers can damage your company’s reputation and financial livelihood, compromising security. It’s best to take your time and develop a hiring process that will help you get the high quality security officers that you need. In the end it is the only way to ensure your company’s long-term success.

Take a look at our “Security Officer Checklist” to ensure that you find the right officers to meet your property’s complex needs.