Basic Physical Security Measures

It is surprising the number of people who install expensive alarm systems and yet neglect basic physical security measures. A house having an alarm but offering easy entry may tempt a burglar to chance it, snatch a few valuables, and then make a quick getaway. He may gamble on the fact that because of the prevalence of false alarms, few people take any notice of an alarm sounding unless it goes on for too long. He may even try, and succeed, in silencing it. That is why some basic physical security measures should be taken.

The alarm system should always be regarded as the second line of defense, and reliance should never be placed solely upon it, however good it may be. The first and main defense is a perimeter with physical security that is as solid and impenetrable as it can reasonably be made. Before an alarm system is even considered, the physical security of all possible access points must be assessed, and improved if found below standard.

This is becoming increasingly important with the incidence of "smashins" in which intruders smash their way through doors regardless of noise, while the occupants are at home and likely paralyzed with fear. They take a few valuables, usually the TV and video and are gone, all within two or three minutes. An intruder detection system is obviously of no help, although an alarm system having a panic button could be. However, substantial physical security protection could delay the thugs sufficiently to make a 911 telephone call or deter them enough to make them go elsewhere where entrance is easier.

Even so, while a good level of physical security is desirable, it can be too high. Unnecessary physical security can not only be a waste of money but, what is even worse, impose irksome restrictions and limitations on everyday life. The occupants could feel that they are living in a fortress. Remember that the physical security features must be lived with month in and month out, year in and year out, for years to come. The goal should therefore be friendly physical security - friendly that is to the occupants.

Most break-ins are opportunist, often by youths or even children. If they find a weak point they will take advantage of it, but if not they are likely to try somewhere else. Why waste time and effort cracking a hard nut when there is one with a soft shell around the corner? The mere presence of know physical security measures may be enough to dissuade would-be thieves.

Of course, if your premises are known or believed to contain articles of high value, they may attract the attention of the professional burglar. He will not be so easily deterred, and a much higher level of physical security will be required; the added inconvenience must then be accepted.

In general, physical security arrangements should cause as little inconvenience as possible, although some is inevitable. The danger with irksome over-security is that sooner or later it is relaxed and neglected, thus making the premises more vulnerable than they would be with more moderate security that is kept up. The important thing is to identify and protect the vulnerable points while being less fussy over low-risk areas.

Also if there is more than one way of achieving a similar degree of protection, the method should be chosen that will be the least inconvenient to operate and use. This will be a significant factor in choosing among the various physical security options.