Common Security Risks in Multifamily Properties and How to Address Them

Along with the many benefits of multifamily property living come unique security risks that must be addressed to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and protect the investments of property owners. In fact, rising crime rates, cyber threats, and natural disasters have caused security concerns in multifamily properties to become more prevalent in recent years.  

Multifamily properties can be similar to public spaces. This allows criminals to hide in plain sight- slipping past, blending in with the crowd, and entering the building without getting caught. With so many people coming and going, most people wouldn’t notice that someone entering the building does not belong there. Savvy criminals hide themselves in the crowd, or they take advantage of tailgating and piggybacking opportunities.  

Piggybacking is when a resident holds the door open for an unauthorized person, allowing them to enter the building. Propping the door open for other people is automatic for many people. They think they’re being nice and helpful without realizing the potential consequences of their actions. 

Tailgating occurs when a trespasser watches for an open door and sneaks into the building. It doesn’t take much to tailgate in a multifamily residential building because no one knows all the faces of the people who belong and who don’t belong. Both are serious problems for multifamily properties.  

As a result, property managers and owners must take proactive measures to address these security risks and create a safe and secure environment. Here’s an exploration of the most common security risks in multifamily properties as well as practical solutions for addressing them. By implementing effective security measures, property managers can not only protect their residents, but also enhance the value and desirability of their properties in an increasingly competitive market. 

Resident Security 

Security matters for residents who want to live in a safe and secure environment where they can feel insulated from concerns like violence that keeps popping up in the news, along with other crimes. They expect property managers and owners to provide a secure environment where they feel safe. However, security risks are widespread in multifamily properties with crimes such as theft, vandalism, and even violent attacks occurring all too often. 

Insecure environments cause stress, anxiety, and fear among residents. It affects their quality of life and well-being. Residents who feel unsafe may stay away from common areas and avoid socializing with neighbors. If they truly feel unsafe, then they will move out.  

Residents in multifamily properties tend to live in close quarters with others. This results in them being more vulnerable to theft and other property crimes. When a property doesn’t take security seriously, then its reputation will take a hit and potential residents will look elsewhere.  

The lack of security will impact the long-term value of multifamily properties. A less desirable property will struggle to attract and keep residents. In doing so, it hurts the net operating income (NOI). A property with a reputation for being safe and secure will reap the rewards as property value will climb and the building will attract more residents. 

To address security concerns in multifamily properties, property managers and owners must invest in proactive security solutions. These include adding access control systems, installing security cameras, having people monitor the cameras, conducting regular inspections of the property, and providing education and training to residents on safety and security best practices. 

Parking Lot and Car Security 

It’s not just the tailgaters and piggybackers you have to worry about. Some thieves and burglars don’t target the building at all. They focus on the parking lot or parking garage. This is especially true in light of the soaring number of catalytic converter thefts. It’s a low-risk, high-reward crime, as the price of metals from the catalytic converters are worth a lot of money.  

A resident of a multifamily property tells NBCDFW she has had three catalytic converters stolen from her vehicle in the parking lot. She did all the right things. She parked her car in a well-lit parking space near the entrance of her residence.  

She took steps to prevent the second and third thefts by having the muffler shop weld rebar around the catalytic converters. That didn’t deter the theft. NBCDFW interviewed a mechanic who confirmed crooks have found a way around the cage including one that weighed 30 pounds.  

Crime pays considering it only takes about a minute to roll under a vehicle and cut out the catalytic converter with a small, battery-operated saw with metal blades. Suspects go for parking lots because it lets them roll and cut from a high volume of vehicles in a short time. The shortage of metals drives up their value. Unfortunately, the shortage is also making it challenging for owners to get a replacement. 

Initially, catalytic converter thefts soared during the pandemic. There are no signs it will slow down as BeenVerified shares its analysis of catalytic converter thefts in the U.S. The data shows 2022 saw 540% more thefts than those that occurred in 2020.  

Insurance companies have paid far more for catalytic converter theft claims in 2021 than they did in 2020. WFAA reports State Farm states it had paid out more than $20 million in claims for catalytic converter thefts by August 2021. At that point, they already surpassed 2020’s claims by $3 million.  

It’s not just catalytic converter thefts that are a problem in multifamily properties. Smash-and-grabs remain a big issue. This type of burglary involves breaking a window, grabbing anything of value, and leaving the scene quickly. Video surveillance with remote monitoring can help deter many of these thefts. 

Check out these examples of how remote video surveillance leads to arrests for a catalytic converter and other car-related crimes: 

• Catalytic converter theft arrest
• Crook caught under vehicles
• Thief stealing catalytic converter stopped
• Criminals go around trying to access vehicles

Video surveillance with trained monitoring operators and video analytics is a multipronged security solution. The appearance of video cameras is one prong. Trained monitoring operators observing the criminals is another prong. The may either talk to the suspects over the speaker from a remote location, call the police, or both.  

Package Theft 

Package theft is also a major problem for residential properties. A survey from C+R Research indicates that 43% of Americans experienced package theft in 2020. This study included multifamily properties and condos with and without a doorman. 

A Marketplace Pulse story contains a chart with data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau. The chart shows online shopping went up about $3 billion every year from 1994 to early 2020. Then, online shopping skyrocketed by 16 times more than in previous quarters by the second quarter of 2020. 

Package management is a problem for many multifamily residential properties. Do the math and you’ll discover package management and security can become overwhelming for employees. Before the pandemic, residents received an average of six packages per month. After that, it went up to an average of 10 packages per resident each month as reported in a Yahoo! Finance article. During the holiday season, the number goes up to 14 packages per resident per month. 

This means a multifamily property with 200 residents will see 2,000 packages per month. It doesn’t take much to calculate the building will get about 67 packages per day. Can the property staff handle that many deliveries per day?  

How does the building handle deliveries? Do the residents get the packages delivered to their doorstep? Do deliveries go through a central point like a front desk? If they go through a front desk or the employees, are the employees available to accept the packages? Where do they store them? 

Proactive Multifamily Property Security Solution 

Multifamily properties that invest in an access control system with integrated live video surveillance and monitoring create a multipronged security solution that helps close many of these security gaps. An integrated security system provides multiple benefits- helping increase security for residents, parking lots, and packages. The integration bolsters security, saves on costs, and cuts risks.  

An access control system allows the property to stayed locked at all times. Residents and employees can enter with an access card or using their phones.  

Cameras watching the entire property also make it easy to verify all lighting is functional and that the landscaping is properly maintained. It eliminates the need to have someone constantly walk the property to confirm these things. To optimize monitoring, select a solution that combines video analytics and human-trained monitoring operators. 

They can catch lighting problems and when a person piggybacks or tailgates into the building. Located in a remote location, the operator can talk to the suspects on sight through the remote speakers and warn them to leave the property. If all else fails, they’ll contact law enforcement and keep them apprised of what’s happening.  

Security is a critical concern for residents as it affects their quality of life, safety, and well-being. Multifamily property managers and owners must take proactive measures to create a safe and secure environment that benefits everyone. By prioritizing security, property managers and owners can enhance the value and desirability of their properties and provide residents with a safe and welcoming place to call home. 

To learn more, refer to the Complete Guide to Securing Your Apartment Building. The guide covers the process of selecting the right security solution. Want to learn more? Contact us. 

Texas Private Security License Number: B14187.