Parking lots are surprisingly dangerous places. In fact, 20 percent of all car accidents occur in parking lots or garages, and roughly 500 people die in these accidents each year!
In addition to vehicle accidents, many crimes — nearly 1,400 per day — occur in parking lots, including robberies, assaults, kidnapping, and even murder.
Adequate parking lot security, particularly at night, plays a critical role in preventing accidents, injuries, and crimes. In this blog, you’ll learn about the most significant challenges associated with parking lot security and discover the pivotal role that night vision cameras play in increasing safety.
Challenges of Parking Lot Security at Night
Parking lots and garages can be difficult places to secure, especially at night when fewer people are present, and there’s more opportunity for crimes to occur. The following are some of the greatest security challenges business owner face when it comes to protecting their parking lots:
Lot Size
Even if you have employed a security guard to patrol a parking lot, they’re only one person supervising a vast area. Because of the sheer size of most parking lots, surveillance is tricky for guards alone to manage, no matter how astute they are.
Anonymity
Parking lots are also relatively anonymous places. Anyone could be walking through the lot, and criminals are generally not respecters of persons when it comes to deciding whom they will victimize. The anonymous nature of parking lots and the number of people moving through them make them prime locations for criminals who may want to take advantage of vulnerable people.
Visibility
At night, parking lots and garages typically have poor lighting, making visibility difficult for people trying to enter or leave. This poor visibility can increase the risk of accidents and create more opportunities for criminals to hide out and rob, attack, or harm others.
Role of Night Vision Cameras in Parking Lot Security Systems
Cameras equipped with night vision technology can play a significant role in reducing crime and enhancing surveillance effectiveness. Why are these cameras so helpful? Here are some of the primary benefits they offer:
Cost-Effective Security
Could you hire more security guards to patrol your parking lot? Yes. How much would that cost your business, though, and can you justify that expense?
Investing in night vision cameras is a more cost-effective solution that allows you to surveil the lot more easily. With strategically placed cameras, you and your security staff can oversee the entire parking lot and keep an eye on people entering and leaving.
24/7 Monitoring Capabilities
Crimes and accidents can occur in parking lots at any time, day or night. When you install night vision cameras, you don’t just get nighttime recordings. You also have the option to monitor the parking lot 24/7, meaning you’ll always know what’s going on in the area and can address potentially dangerous situations sooner.
Reduce Stress for Security Personnel
It’s not realistic to expect one security guard (or even a few security guards) to shoulder the entire burden of protecting a parking lot — especially if they’re also in charge of patrolling and surveilling the business building. Installing cameras helps to lighten their load without lightening up on security for your business.
Easier Identification
Because night vision cameras are able to capture clear pictures even in the dark of night, it’s easier to identify the people in your video footage — including criminals and drivers who may have caused accidents — as well as license plate numbers of other key pieces of evidence.
The sooner you can identify these people, plate numbers, etc., the sooner you can take action to help those who have been harmed. How to Choose the Best Parking Lot Cameras.
Types of Night Vision Cameras
There are two main types of night vision cameras that you can use to increase parking lot security: Infrared night vision cameras and thermal imaging cameras. Learn more about these two options below:
Infrared (IR) Night Vision Cameras
Infrared (or IR) night vision cameras are designed to amplify the existing light in low-light situations, sharpening the image and creating clearer, more visible pictures and videos. IR cameras do require some light to function, although they work very well in situations with low lighting.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Thermal imaging cameras detect heat radiation from objects and use it to create an image. The image, also known as a heat map, features a variety of colors connected to different temperatures.
Heat maps can be used to identify humans, animals, vehicles, and other objects. They’re especially helpful during severe weather or in situations where an image might be clouded by smoke or smog.
Infrared vs. Thermal Imaging
Infrared and thermal imaging cameras both offer benefits and drawbacks. Here are some factors to keep in mind to determine the right night vision camera for your security needs:
Price
You can’t put a price on safety, but you can put a price on security cameras. In general, infrared night vision cameras are more affordable than thermal imaging cameras. If you’re on a budget, you’ll probably have better luck with infrared cameras for your parking lot.
Environment
Consider the environment and climate when choosing a camera type for your business, too. Is your business located in an area with a lot of fog or smog? If so, you should probably choose thermal imaging cameras so you can detect activity even when the weather clouds (no pun intended) the picture.
Lighting
How much light does your parking lot get? Remember that you need at least some light to use infrared night vision cameras, so they won’t work in pitch-black environments. If you have streetlights or other lights in the area, though, you will likely be able to use infrared cameras without any problems.
Detection vs. Recognition
Thermal cameras help you detect activity, but infrared cameras help you recognize the person or object responsible for that activity. You won’t be able to capture identifying information like license plate numbers with a thermal camera, but you could almost certainly find it with an infrared one.
Consider Combining Camera Types
If you’re still having a hard time deciding, remember that you don’t have to pick just one type. You could use a combination of infrared and thermal cameras to detect movement and identify perpetrators.
The Impact on Safety and Peace of Mind
Installing night-vision surveillance technology in parking lots and garages offers numerous benefits for businesses, employees, and customers.
Anyone can get hurt in a parking lot accident or become a victim of a violent crime. Knowing that cameras are recording the area and can capture evidence should something bad happen can provide great peace of mind to everyone who walks or drives through the lot. Wireless parking lot security cameras.
Conclusion
Night vision cameras are useful tools for business owners looking to enhance parking lot security. They are cost-effective, provide 24/7 monitoring, reduce the load placed on security personnel’s shoulders, and allow for easier identification should an accident or crime occur.
Are you looking for night vision cameras for your business’s parking lot? If so, Mobile Video Guard offers high-quality, reliable systems tailored to your exact needs.
Reach out today to learn more about our services or get a free quote.
