If you are looking to deter criminals from entering your commercial property, you don’t want to inadvertently keep customers or agents away as well. Nothing says, “Go away” like a giant hedge, a large wrought iron gate or a chain link fence.
These are not only are unappealing to look at for you and your valued visitors, they also don’t really work to keep criminals from entering your property. In fact, they decrease visibility from the street, making it easier for a criminal to get away with robbery, and harder for customers to find you. The best deterrents for criminals actually have to do with how you landscape your property. The following tips will help you to improve visibility and make criminals think twice before they enter your property.
Trees, Bushes and Hedges
Trees, bushes and hedges are important landscape design features that can deter criminals. To keep the entrance of your building within the sight-line of neighbors and the street, do not let hedges grow over three feet high. If you have trees on your property make sure to keep them well trimmed from below so that they don’t impede visibility or create hiding places. Do not grow trees close to a building, as they will make climbing into a window easier. You can also place prickly bushes, such a Pyracantha, Hawthorn, and Roses, under your ground floor windows to make them more difficult to climb into.
Lighting
Lighting is a beautiful design feature that serves the dual purpose of deterring criminals from entering your property at night. There are many great options these days, including pocket lights that are disguised well in rocks, colorful lights, and motion-sensitive lights. These options will allow you to light up every corner of your property, so there are no shadows left for a criminal to lurk in.
Irrigation
Irrigation that is triggered by motion is an available option. It is often used to deter deer but it can also serve the purpose of giving a criminal a very unpleasant surprise if they are walking across the lesser used areas on your property.
Gravel
Gravel is often used to create serene Zen-style gardens, or to create a nice clean look on walkways, patio areas and all around a building. It also happens to make a nice loud crunching sound when a person walks on it, which makes it difficult for anyone to sneak around your property without being heard.
These are just a few of the landscaping ideas you can implement on your commercial property to deter criminal activity. If you need any help, give us a call and we will schedule an appointment.
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