Let's talk about self storage.

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

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Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
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Sounds like you've got a great opportunity to increase merchandise sales. You've got the necessary security in place - other than perhaps a license plate camera. Require that all trailers have either a hitch lock or a boot and stock your showroom with these items.

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Monty Rainey
Chief Executive Officer
RPM Storage Management, LLC
New Braunfels TX
(830) 832-9496
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

Hello Courtney,

If you are looking to stop burglaries from happening. I would recommend Blue Eye Security from OpenTech. We installed this live monitoring at multiple properties that kept getting burglarized. One year later we haven't had any issues. 

Blue Eye hooks up to your camera system (and adds a loudspeaker to the property) and uses AI to monitor your cameras. If they see activity (a live operator) will call out to the perpetrator our the intercom that police are being called.  The cost is $500/month for this system. 

Thanks,

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Raheem Amer
SVP - Operations
Devon Self Storage Holdings (US) LLC
Frisco TX
(630) 660-2637
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

It sounds like you have a doozie of a security issue... bad property.
If you have such bold and brazen criminals ...
you have two choices.
1. is you train every customer who enters your gate to stop a few feet in front of the gate to allow the gate to close (coming and going).  This is very normal at all Airport property regardless how small the airport.  No One enters or exists without stopping at the gate to allow it to close behind them.
All airport users know this and all that I know of abide.  (call your local regional airport)

2. get an evening armed guard and raise your rates to pay for it.

3. restrict gate access hours to only allow access during office hours.  Get all persons who enter or exit to have to get the gate opened by the manager in the office.

You can nip this in the bud, but it is going to take a huge effort on your part.

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David Fisher ASA Sr. Appraiser
GM & Chief Cook
Fisher Global Development, LLC D/B/A Imperial Storage Solutions
Sugar Land TX
(281) 794-2361
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

Unfortunately, if a thief wants in they are going to find a way in.  That being said, we started requiring our parking customers to have a hitch lock, just like our storage customers are required to have a disc lock on their unit door.  They don't have to buy it from us, but they have to have one to keep people from hooking up and driving off with some else's boat/trail/rv.

Yes, thieves can still cut locks off, but if we make it harder for them to steal, they will be less likely to do it.

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Sarah Cole
Exec Admin Asst/Audit Coordinator/Marketing
Oakcrest Management, Inc.
Burleson TX
(817) 426-5996
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

One thing we did to reduce the chain cutting on our gates. We added a pipe that covers the backside of the chain. And added security bolts onto the gate motor cover so it can't be taken off easily. 
But Sara Cole is correct if they want in they will find a way. Even Banks get robbed.

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Jacob Jisha
Anytime Storage, LLC
Kyle TX
(830) 627-8673
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

Hi Courtney,

At our properties, I reached out to the local Police Department and offered $20 off the unit IF they come once a week in full uniform and vehicle to the property. Also I reached out to the K9 unit and have scheduled once a week training on our property from the hours of 9 pm to 1 am. I make sure to mention it to customers who come in inquiring. Helps weed out the ones you don't need.

------------------------------
Kimberly Cardona
Safe and Secure Storage
San Angelo TX
(325) 655-5976
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11/16/2021 2:26:00 PM
From: Kimberly Cardona
Subject: RE: Security

Hi Courtney,

At our properties, I reached out to the local Police Department and offered $20 off the unit IF they come once a week in full uniform and vehicle to the property. Also I reached out to the K9 unit and have scheduled once a week training on our property from the hours of 9 pm to 1 am. I make sure to mention it to customers who come in inquiring. Helps weed out the ones you don't need.

------------------------------
Kimberly Cardona
Safe and Secure Storage
San Angelo TX
(325) 655-5976
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2021 11:16 AM
From: Courtney Ratliff
Subject: Security

I am wanting to see what other facilities are doing about security and break ins. We have a gate with a keypad and also have cameras. It seems that people will tailgate in and hook up to a trailer or boat and cut the chain on the gate to leave.  Has anyone found any promising solutions to theft?

------------------------------
Courtney Ratliff
Hamlet Storage
Baytown TX
(281) 839-0437
------------------------------