Just before midnight, Anthony Richardson, a resident of Yale Keys Senior Apartments in Las Vegas, NV, was in his car, talking to his fiancée, when he was shot. In the weeks leading up to the incident, Richardson had repeatedly voiced concerns about the lack of apartment security to Yale Keys’ property managers. He mentioned concerns like poor lighting, “suspicious” non-residents coming onto the property, and drug trafficking – but apartment management failed to act. Now, Richardson is suing the apartment company.
Richardson’s experience exemplifies the importance of apartment security and what happens when security is ignored. Apartment security impacts the safety of property managers, owners, and residents. With a well-crafted security plan and infrastructure, everybody benefits: residents live better lives and feel safer, property managers don’t have to worry about tenant turnover, and owners won’t be dealing with costly lawsuits. But sometimes, it’s difficult to know where to begin. This article highlights the most important security solutions for your apartment building. So whether you’re new to security or a veteran looking to modernize your system, we’ve got you covered.
In this Article
- What are the Goals of Apartment Security?
- Checklist: Top 7 Most Important Solutions for Apartment Security
- Apartment Security from Gate to Front Door
What are the Goals of Apartment Security?
The goals of apartment security vary among properties. Some property managers take a minimalistic approach by making sure all apartments have deadbolt locks and the parking lot has a gate. Others adapt modern access control systems, sensors, cameras, and more. In other words, you determine your security.
However, generally, the goals of apartment security are:
- Grow Tenant Satisfaction
- Increase Access Convenience
- Increase Operational Efficiency
- Protect Tenants
- Keep Property Safe
- Improve Bottom Line
- Cut Costs
Before investing in new equipment – whether it be apartment security cameras or a parking gate, it’s important to clearly define your goals. Make sure you set aside time to talk with tenants and stakeholders, too. Having these conversations will ensure everyone understands the impact of these changes.
Checklist: Top 7 Most Important Solutions for Apartment Security
1. Access Control for Apartment Security
Why is Access Control Important?
Access control in apartment communities keeps people safe. But it also makes sure the right people have access to the community and the wrong people don’t. Access control systems help property managers quickly make, assign, and distribute apartment keys. They help implement rapid emergency plans and monitor the community for threats.
Access Control: Features to Look For
- Type: The two most common types of access control for residential buildings are cloud-based and on-premises systems. The cloud comes with faster credential provisioning, more integrations, and more features.
- Manage from anywhere: Cloud-based access control for apartments lets you monitor and manage from anywhere – whether you’re sitting in the lobby or on vacation in Cancun.
- Integrations: API integrations make apartment communities safer by connecting your separate security systems. They also reduce emergency response time. Connect cameras, sensors, and more.
- Visitor management: Manage guests and make sure you know who’s on the property at all times.
Level of Importance – Very High
An access control system for your apartment complex is the nucleus of your entire security infrastructure. With the right system, you can integrate and automate all of your video security cameras, motion sensors, door sensors, and important software platforms. This gives security guards and property managers the ability to manage everything from one dashboard. The importance of a robust apartment access control system can’t be overstated.
2. Two-way Intercom System for Apartment Security
Why are Two-way Intercom Systems Important?
Picture a gate without an intercom – sounds miserable, right? You’d never know when your guests arrive, or whether that barbecue spice set you’ve been waiting for might get left outside of the gate and taken. Two-way intercoms help residents and security teams verify who’s coming in and who’s leaving.
Intercoms: Features to Look For
- Type: Intercoms come in several types and are often determined by functionality. There are two-way video intercoms, audio-only intercoms, phone-based intercoms, and IP-based intercoms. Additionally, these solutions come in wired or wireless.
- Verify before entering: Like looking through your front door’s peephole, verifying who is at your apartment gate is essential. Two-way video intercoms ensure you get the pizza you ordered and not a home invasion.
- HD cameras and audio: Make sure your intercom system for your apartment transmits clearly. You may have the option of choosing a video intercom that transmits in HD, 2K, or 4K. Additionally, the audio should be delivered in high fidelity.
Level of Importance – High
Although not as important as an access control system, getting into an apartment complex without an intercom can be challenging. Intercoms with built-in video are terrific two-in-one solutions for gate security.
3. Apartment Gate Security
Why is Gate Security Important?
Gate security is set up at a property’s perimeter and helps manage entry. As one of the oldest forms of security, gate security has evolved over the centuries. Currently, gate security can range from something as simple as a metal fence with a door to an entry with an electric-powered door, two-way intercom system, and RFID credential reader.
No matter its complexity, gate systems are the most important component for controlling who enters your property.
Gates: Features to Look For
- Type: From swinging to slide gates, different types of security gates exist for every scenario. Choose a gate that makes sense for the amount of traffic you expect each day and the level of security you need. For example, if you plan on installing a gate in a busy apartment complex, you won’t want a slow bifold swing gate. A sliding gate would be more efficient.
Learn more about how to choose the best gate security system for you in our article “How to Choose Gate and Access Control Systems in 5 Steps.”
Level of Importance – Very High
There’s a reason why embassies, medical centers, and airports have gates. They keep bad actors at a distance. Apartment gates function in the same way, keeping potential danger at the perimeter and residents safe.
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4. Apartment Camera Systems
Why are Apartment Complex Security Cameras Important?
Cameras keep watch when you can’t. They give you and your team extra “eyes” in common areas and around the perimeter. With effective video surveillance, residents feel safer, crime gets prevented, and you’ll be able to quickly respond to emergencies.
Managing apartment security without cameras is like flying blind with a blindfold on. You’d never know who’s sneaking into the parking lot, who left their bike locked in the wrong spot, or which mystery guest thinks the pool is “open to the public.”
Video Surveillance: Features to Look For
- Resolution: High-definition video gives security teams a clearer image. For example, 2K and 4K video can be enlarged without pixelation. So if vandalism, theft, or a violent crime occurs, you can see everything in detail.
- Night vision: Some security cameras come with night vision to help make your apartment complex visible even in the dark.
- AI-enhanced video: Artificial intelligence is helping property managers and apartment security teams better track repeat visitors. If a suspicious non-resident visits your property, you can make a record of them. Then, when they visit again, the camera’s AI-enhanced facial monitoring will alert you.
Level of Importance – High
Video surveillance at apartment complexes stops and deters crime. From preventing package theft to resolving “he-said, she-said” disputes, cameras provide the hard evidence. In short, they turn uncertainty into clarity.
5. Alarms for Apartments
Why are Alarms for Apartments Important?
For many apartment communities, cameras, gates, and an access control system is enough. However, those looking for even more of an edge should consider alarms and sensors.
Security alarms and sensors are useful in a few situations:
- Fill in the gaps: If there’s a blind spot between your cameras, sensors and alarms can help monitor it.
- Reinforcement: You might want an extra way to monitor a sensitive area. The greater number of devices, the more information you’ll be able to obtain.
- Failsafe: If your camera runs out of batteries or is tampered with, your sensors can still monitor the problem.
- Discreet: Apartment managers need to strike a balance between security and comfort. Though it’s tempting to install a bunch of cameras, doing so might make residents uncomfortable or cause them to move. Security sensors and alarms provide a more discreet way to monitor.
- Less costly: Sensors and alarms are a less expensive alternative to surveillance cameras. So if your apartment complex is on a tight budget, installing sensors might be ideal.
Alarms and Sensors: Features to Look For
- Type: Security sensors range from door and window sensors to motion sensors. While the former alert property teams of a break-in, motion sensors signal that a perpetrator is in the process of or has already breached the property. Gunshot alarms and smoke/vape sensors are also options.
- Automation and Integration: Alarms should integrate with your access control system. At minimum, you should have the capability of mapping doors to alarms.
Additionally, integrating your sensors and access control system helps with emergency automation. When an alarm goes off, you should know with which door it corresponds. Some advanced access control software even allows you to map your doors and sensors to a CAD floorplan!
Level of Importance – Moderate
Sensors and alarms are more of “the icing on the cake.” They’re nice additions to a security system that’s already built out, but don’t function nearly as well as standalone security.
6.Digital Guest Passes
Why are Digital Guest Passes Important?
The guest experience says a lot about your property. Can residents easily grant their visitors access, or is it difficult and time-consuming? Whether it’s a delivery person dropping off food or a family member dropping by, seamlessly getting them to their destination is important.
Digital guest passes like QR codes or mobile key cards not only make the process more convenient but easier to monitor. Digital guest passes bring order to the chaos, giving residents an easy way to invite guests while helping security teams know exactly who’s on the property.
Visitor Management: Features to Look For
- QR Code Access: QR codes can be distributed via SMS or email ahead of time. They make it possible to avoid creating queues at the gate or reception desk.
- QR Code Directories: It can be annoying to scroll through a whole directory using a keypad. QR code directories let guests scan a QR code and search through a digital directory on their phones.
- Time Limits: Many visitor management systems allow administrators to make time-based guest passes. For example, if a maintenance person arrives at 8 a.m. and needs two hours to repair a leaky faucet, then their credentials can be set to automatically expire at 10 a.m.
- Audit Trail: Digital visitor management systems log who visited and when. It’s like a guestbook, but without the bad handwriting.
Level of Importance – Moderate
Automated visitor management with features like time-based credentials and digital badges make the guest experience easier and the security experience more secure. While visitor management is important, apartment companies under tight budgets could make it a future goal.
7. Lighting
Why is Lighting in Apartment Complexes Important?
Lighting plays an underestimated role in security. It may be obvious that your cameras generally need proper lighting to capture footage, but the lighting in your apartment complex can also deter bad actors. Consider the placement of lights in parking areas, communal trash dumpsters, and darker corners of your complex. Additionally, any areas with minimal foot traffic at night could be perfect candidates for additional lighting.
Lighting: Features to Look For
- Brightness: Look to balance the strength of your lighting. Areas should be light enough to stop crime without creating glare or discomfort for residents.
- Floodlight Cameras: Floodlight cameras combine lighting with video surveillance. These cameras can be placed near parking lots, pools, and other common areas.
Level of Importance – High
Properly lighting your apartment complex lays the foundation for successful security. When implemented correctly, it reduces risks and supports security systems such as cameras and access control.
Apartment Security from the Gate to the Front Door
You know your security needs better than anyone. Make sure your apartment complex and its residents stay secure with the solutions you need most. With over 30 years of industry experience, SafeTouch can help you assess, purchase, and install a security system that’s right for you. Looking for a way to monitor your property without hiring security guards? Our trained monitoring staff will keep an eye on your property 24/7. And with a guaranteed response time of 45 seconds or less, we’ll always have your back. Give us a call at 888.895.SAFE (7233) to speak with a SafeTouch expert today!