07-24-2002 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW OF THE GCO BUILDING AT 3182 COUNTRY DRIVE It is my understanding that the owner of the former GCO building wishes to erect a fence around the parking area on the south east side of the building. The exact purpose of the fence is unclear. It appears that the intended purpose of the area is a loading dock and a parking area. If the sole purpose of the area is for parking and a loading dock, I would not recommend a fence for the following reasons: 1. Due to the high number of parking spaces, it is presumable that many people will be parking in the tot, which means that the gate will have to be either unsecured during business hours or will have to be staffed by security to let people in and out of the gate. 2. The site is already isolated in that the area is behind the building and there are no roads behind it or beside it. Erecting a fence there would only increase the isolation and also increase the likelihood for vandalism and theft. 3. A fence would eliminate or hinder the natural surveillance of employees and or customers from being able to see what is going on in the rear of the building. 4. Grass and other vegetation should be cleared a minimum of 6 feet from the curb around the entire perimeter to eliminate potential hiding places for criminals. If the intended purpose of the fence is to store and safeguard any items of value, I would make the following recommendations: 1. Construct a fence along the entire perimeter of the area. 2. I would recommend a cyclone fence, which allows for the greatest amount of visibility from all angles. 3. When choosing a locking mechanism for the gate, choose one that is resistant to a bolt cutter. 4. The fence should be clearly marked with the company name and should have clearly marked signs indicating "No Trespassing." 5. The gate should be staffed during business hours to allow access to and from the loading dock and provide natural surveillance of the parking area. 6. An area of special concem would be the safety of employees or customers parking in the lot and also the vulnerability of their vehicles to theft from auto. 7. If the gate is not staffed it should be equipped with a card reader or intercom with CCTV monitoring of the gate and parking area. The CCTV should be recorded with the recorder locked in a secure place with an established procedure for rotating the tapes. Digital images are the best option but it is somewhat expensive LIGHTING Regardless of which option is chosen, it is essential to provide a well -lit lot to promote safety and security. A post light on the southeastern tip of the lot would illuminate a great deal of the lot. Additional wall packs on the building would also brighten up the area considerably.