After-hours trespassers can cause significant damage to commercial properties, ranging from vandalism and theft to disrupting operations and compromising workplace safety. It could all result in substantial financial and reputational losses.
At approximately 3:00 in the morning, Stealth monitoring operators observing a Texas shopping plaza observed an individual who appeared to be intoxicated wandering onto the property before settling onto the sidewalk area in front of a disabled parking ramp to fall asleep. Observing security staff contacted local police dispatch who sent officers out to respond. Responding officers were observed on cameras making contact with the individual before taking them into custody without further incident.
A Decline in Police Enforcement Laws
The decline in police enforcement of loitering laws across the United States marks a significant shift in policing tactics, reflecting broader conversations about criminal justice reform and the role of law enforcement in community life. According to an ABC News analysis, the vast majority of police departments have not reported any arrests for loitering or curfew violations in recent years, signaling a move away from these controversial practices. This trend is notable given the historical use of loitering laws as a tool for police to address various community concerns, from crime prevention to maintaining public order.
While the decrease in loitering law enforcement may be seen as a positive development in the context of civil liberties and efforts to reduce unnecessary interactions with the criminal justice system, it also raises new challenges, particularly for commercial property owners. The absence of enforcement against loitering can lead to increased presence of individuals on commercial properties, which sometimes results in business owners facing difficulties. These can range from obstructing access to their establishments, deterring customers due to perceived safety concerns, and contributing to a decline in the overall appeal of commercial areas. These kinds of issues not only affect individual businesses but can also have wider economic implications by impacting the perception of commercial districts.
Despite the overall decline, some police departments continue to use loitering laws aggressively. This uneven application of loitering laws creates a patchwork of enforcement practices, leading to inconsistencies that can complicate the situation for commercial property owners. On one hand, in areas where loitering laws are still strictly enforced, businesses may benefit from clearer sidewalks and public spaces, potentially attracting more customers. On the other hand, aggressive enforcement can also lead to community relations issues and concerns about over-policing, which in turn can negatively affect the perception of a business or area.
The decline in enforcement of loitering laws ultimately presents a complex scenario. While it aligns with broader efforts to reform policing practices and reduce unnecessary criminalization, it also underscores the need for balanced approaches that address the concerns of commercial property owners.
One way to help counterbalance the decline in police responses to loitering calls is to provide real-time video evidence of concurrent unlawful activity, like substance use, vandalism, public intoxication, violence, theft, or other concerns that will make a call to police dispatch a more pressing priority.
Help Protect Your Property from Criminal and Unwanted Activity Around the Clock with Proactive Live Video Monitoring and Surveillance
It’s an ongoing problem for shopping and retail centers, as well as other forms of commercial property- their perception as “public spaces” means those experiencing homelessness and others who may spend their evenings with nowhere to stay choose to loiter on their private property and feel safe doing so.
Ensuring safety and security at retail locations requires thoughtful consideration of each property’s distinct needs. At Stealth, we take a customized approach, carefully evaluating key factors like site layout, past incidents, visitor demographics, existing security systems, tenant priorities, traffic patterns and local community norms. This allows us to design solutions that leverage our state-of-the-art technology to address the unique risks facing your property.
Our live video monitoring solution strategically places cameras to provide coverage of entrances, exits, parking areas and even rooftops- typical “hotspots” of unwanted activity. Backed by intelligent video analytics and our trained experts, it enables real-time surveillance and rapid response. On-site warning speakers can immediately notify trespassers and loiterers that security is aware of them, and that officers are on the way.
But we provide more than observation alone. After detecting suspicious activity, our operators can swiftly contact law enforcement dispatchers, supplying ongoing live updates, detailed suspect descriptions, and exact locations. This real-time intelligence typically makes our alerts a top priority, allowing police to respond quickly and potentially intercept suspects onsite, before issues escalate further.
Our approach delivers superior security efficiency at lower costs, reducing expenses by up to 60% when compared to traditional guard services, and actively deterring undesirable activities as they occur. We can help minimize liability risks and help protect what matters most – your property, assets, and people.
Contact us today to learn more about our customized security solutions for your retail and shopping property.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
