Experts Advice - Avoid Being A Victim Of Crime When Parking Your Car

Author: Bill Wallmuller

In our fast paced modern living we probably don’t give the practice of parking our cars as much thought as we should. We need to practice some common sense when we park our cars, as we do in other areas of our behavior. Below is a description of some crimes associated with parking cars and some recommendations to follow.

Theft and Vandalism

Wherever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parking areas are the next best things.

Where private garages are not feasible, carport or driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking away from dwellings.

As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided, as they are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates could minimize danger. Alternatively, each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust vandal proof metal doors – garages within garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors or gates.

Grouped car parking areas should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings; they should be equipped with sturdy gates and should never be sited near alleyways.

Open car parking areas should be small and within view of dwellings. Visitors’ car parking areas should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and also visible from dwellings.

Rape, Assault, Robbery

To make car parking sites safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.

Car parking sites should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit and free from shrubbery.

Visitors’ car park areas should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings. If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parking sites is monitored as well.

In high-crime areas, advanced technological surveillance methods may be needed in car parking areas. For example, an infrared unit is available which detects the presence of intruders – but not cats and dogs – by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car parking area and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes has passed.

There are very few areas of our existence that cannot be made safer just by applying some common sense and following precautionary guidelines.

Make safety and self defense your first priority today. Take the time to go over these guidelines with all your family and set a good example. Remember that ideas and intentions are well in good but nothing gets done unless you take action. Don’t hesitate. Do it.

About The Author

Bill Wallmuller is the founder of Merokee Enterprises and is active in the war on crime. Please visit http://www.surveillance-equipment-technology.com/.

For reference only. It is not investment advice.