Managing A Gated Community? Please Don’t Make These Security Mistakes

If you’re responsible for managing or overseeing a gated community, you have a lot of responsibility – and one of the most important responsibilities is keeping your people safe.  Security must be at forefront of your planning, which is why many property managers turn to professional security companies in Houston to help keep their property free of any miscreants.

Unfortunately, there are some mistakes we see property managers make all the time.  Whether you choose to deploy private security or not, please avoid these mistakes if you want to keep your people safe.

Five Critical Security Mistakes at Gated Communities

1. Not following up on unauthorized access

ANY unauthorized access of your property should be looked into.  To be clear, mistakes happen, residents forget their cards, etc., so don’t go in guns blazing.  However, if you ignore an unauthorized entry, there is no telling what could happen next.

2. A lack of security guards

Even if you don’t use private security companies in Houston, TX, to protect your property, you need guards of some type.  Otherwise, people seeking to enter your property illegally will see the lack of direct security and take it as an invitation.  At the least, dress up your neighborhood watch in uniforms.  It’s better than nothing.

3. No security hotline

If one of your residents sees an intruder or – worse – experiences an incident, how would they get in touch with security?  The correct answer is “With a direct security hotline that every resident has access to.”  Your residents should always have a direct line to a security guard when they need one.

4. Not keeping visitor logs

Anyone who enters your property should be logged, if they aren’t a resident.  This includes boyfriends, plumbers, landscapers, anyone.  You never know when someone might be visiting under false pretenses, and logging entries might be the only way to find the perpetrator of a crime.

5. Lack of education among residents

Security in a gated community is everyone’s business.  Your residents should be given ample resources to learn about safety and security, so that they can help monitor the community for problems.  Consider monthly or bi-monthly security meetings to reinforce important safety protocols.

PGP Can Secure Your Property

PGP Security is one of the top security companies in Houston, with a long track record of satisfied clients.  If you need to secure your gated community, contact us to discuss your security options.