Loitering and vandalism pose a huge concern for commercial businesses. Not only is vandalism and loitering a safety concern for your products, equipment and employees, but it is also an annoyance and a bottom line expense you need to account for. Vandalism expenses cost, on average, about $3,370 per instance, which ends up being a significant amount of money if your property is targeted multiple times throughout the year.
As a business owner, the last thing that you want to deal with is vandalism. Whether it is a broken window, torn-up turf, graffiti, or any other form of property damage, vandalism creates nothing but hassles.
You might already have security measures in place, such as locked gates, security cameras, alarms, and such. But do you know how to prevent vandalism or deal with it when it occurs?
What Is Vandalism?
While the definition of vandalism varies from state to state, the term generally means the intentional damage, destruction or defacement of someone’s property without the owner’s permission. Vandalism is a criminal act and is prohibited by state laws. It may qualify as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount of financial damage that’s involved. Some states refer to vandalism as criminal mischief or malicious mischief.
In California, vandalism is a crime established in Penal Code 594 CP. It is typified as one of the crimes against property, public or private, and consists of:
- Painting graffiti, stain or write on walls, cars or any other surface.
- Damage or destroy property.
- This crime includes not only damage in public places, but also inside a house or office. Vandalism is punishable by imprisonment and heavy fines.
Difference Between Theft and Vandalism
Commercial Theft refers to someone taking something from your business without the intent of giving it back. This could include your inventory, fixtures, materials, and so on.
Commercial Vandalism is a crime that occurs when someone damages or destroys your property – without permission to do so. This could include damage to your physical structure, inventory, machinery, and more.
Each of these crimes can go hand-in-hand. When a business is vandalized, such as with a broken window, it leaves it open and exposed to theft. And vice versa. The smallest of details can impact whether or not a claim is paid or denied.
Seven Types of Vandalism
- Acquisitive: Looting to obtain money or property
- Peer pressure: Peers encourage an individual to vandalize
- Ideological: Further a cause or deliver a message
- Vindictive: Revenge such as a disgruntled employee
- Tactical: Damage is a conscious tactic, a means to achieve some other end, such as breaking a window to be arrested and get a bed in prison
- Play: Damage resulting from a game such as who can break the most windows
- Malicious: Outcome of rage or frustration
Effects of Vandalism
Vandalism can impact your business in a number of ways. First, it can damage your property. Damaged or defaced property requires time, effort, and money to repair. Secondly, vandalism may cause your business to lose income if the vandalized property cannot be used and is essential to your operations.
Thirdly, graffiti, trash, and other types of defacement can have a negative effect on your company’s image. Such damage can deter potential customers from entering your premises. Fourthly, vandalism can lower the value of your property. Property that has been damaged or defaced may be unattractive to potential buyers or tenants. Finally, some types of vandalism, such as broken windows, can cause bodily injury to employees or visitors.
What to Do if Vandalism Has Already Occurred
Sometimes things happen, even if you have taken steps to be cautious. Here is what you should do if you are the victim of vandalism.
Report the Crime to Local Law Enforcement
Do not touch anything until the police have documented the scene and remember to ask for a copy of the police report.
Take Photographs of the Damage
Do this before cleaning up or repairing anything. Even if you’re tempted to get your premises back in order for your customers, keep in mind that you’ll need the photos for your insurance claim.
Clean It Up
Although it can be tempting to ignore small graffiti tags or minor vandalism, leaving it signals to the perpetrators that the building is not cared for and that there are no repercussions for doing it again. Instead, be proactive and clean up every bit of vandalism as soon as it occurs. Making sure that your business property is always in top condition will also signal that vandalism will not be tolerated. As an added benefit, your business will look more inviting to customers and there will not be overgrown landscaping for vandals to hide in.
Install Security Lights
Security lights can illuminate otherwise dark areas around your property after hours. This alone can be discouraging to vandals, who usually want to operate anonymously under cover of darkness. If you are worried about the cost of leaving the lights on all night, you can also invest in motion controlled security lights.
Consider Video Surveillance
Security cameras, like any part of a security system, function to discourage would-be perpetrators from committing their crime on your property. Visible security cameras are easily recognized, and statistics show criminals tend to avoid properties protected with surveillance equipment.
A large percentage of vandalism is committed by teens or those in their early 20s, and in many cases isn’t targeted. In these instances, security cameras create an environment where vandalism, or any crimes, is likely to be noticed immediately and the perpetrators identified.
Lock and Secure Everything After Hours
Common areas for exterior vandalism at businesses include alleyways and the sides of the buildings – areas that cannot be seen easily by passers-by. One way to minimize vandalism in these areas is to gate them off and to lock the gates when you close for business
Make Sure All Your Legal Bases are Covered
Of course, you should make sure that everything is legally taken care of including filing police reports and letting them take their necessary steps. Also, find out whether your insurance company needs photographs (or what else they may require) before you make any repairs.
You just want to be as fast as you can, without causing yourself more hassles or headaches. We believe the longer a property sits with vandalism, the more susceptible it may be to future crimes.
Discuss Future Changes
As you get everything fixed up, take the opportunity to discuss preventive action that may be able to be taken in the future. You may have been looking into does landscaping reduce crime because you’ve already been the victim of vandalism. By making some positive changes in your landscaping, you can hopefully deter future problems.
Why Choose IPA Commercial Real Estate?
Choosing the right commercial property management company can make real estate ownership a breeze. For people who own commercial and industrial properties, working with a respected property management company can be a great resource. With 30+ years of experience in the Inland Empire, the experience of the IPA Commercial Real Estate team provides a depth of knowledge regarding maintenance and project costs.
Just like management in any other business, a respected management company can monitor the care and financial requirements of any property. We can also help evaluate your rent structure. IPA Commercial Real Estate very focused on client properties and tenants and we have the skills and knowledge to make your ownership experience easy and pain-free.
We offer 24/7 Service from our team day or night! Call IPA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE at (951) 686-1462 to discuss how we can help you. Let us show you how to add value to your property.