There are a lot of good things about living and running a business in Albuquerque, NM. Overall, the city is more affordable than many of similar size around the nation. Its population is diverse. And there are a lot of cultural and artistic places to visit both indoors and out in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. But Albuquerque has a dark side as well. According to Neighborhood Scout, Albuquerque is among the 100 most dangerous cities in America, and the chance of being a victim of a crime is one in 16. The city scores a 2 in safety on a scale from 1-100, with 100 being the safest. Overall, the city has a bigger problem with property crime versus violent crime, and it is important that everyone take security seriously in order to protect their home and business.
Why Is Crime So High Locally?
When compared with the rest of New Mexico, Albuquerque’s crime rate is far higher. Even Santa Fe has a crime rate that is more than four times lower. So why is Albuquerque so dangerous? There are a few theories. Although the city looks affordable at first glance, wages haven’t kept up with other cities, and the minimum wage sits at $7.50 an hour. There is also quite a bit of illegal drug activity in the city. The hot, dry climate may be a factor as well, as some studies have linked excessive heat to risky or aggressive behavior. While authorities are always looking for ways to lower crime rates and rehabilitate the city, that responsibility largely falls on individuals and neighborhood businesses. It’s clear the Albuquerque police department can use all the help it can get.
How to Deter Criminals
Practice Common Sense with Personal Safety
Nobody wants to be a victim; that’s why it is so important that everyone does whatever they can to prevent it. Whenever possible, people should try to avoid being out and about after dark, and when they are out, they should avoid being alone. This isn’t practical for everyone, especially those who need to work at night. If you must be out, stay visible and stay accountable to someone who will check that you’re safe.
Keep an Eye on Criminals
Another way to deter criminals is to be sure they know they are being watched. Having onsite 24/7 security surveillance is a great way to accomplish this. Businesses that choose to set up surveillance during non-business hours not only protect their own business from theft and vandalism but help keep neighboring businesses and others safe as well.
Surveillance cameras can be placed where they are visible, but not easily reachable. The more hoops a potential thief needs to jump through, the less likely it is that your business will be targeted. Surveillance video can be used to help law enforcement find persons of interest if a crime is suspected in the area.
Back Up Surveillance with Trained Security Professionals
Some businesses choose to have an in-person security guard, but even if that is the case, surveillance systems are still important. If you don’t have the budget to keep someone on site, video surveillance from Advance On-Site Protection Security is a great company to have in your corner. Security cameras can be set up with an analytic NVT service that sends signals to their dispatch center, so you aren’t on your own in the case of an emergency. Whether or not you have a security employee on-site, we can send a highly trained security professional to investigate any trouble. You’ll also have access to any surveillance footage through an app on your phone, so you can personally check in whenever you want. Depending on what your current security system, we can either install a new surveillance system or optimize your existing system.
How to Save Money in Security
With most businesses, every penny of the budget needs to be planned out intelligently, and in Albuquerque, it is clear that security is no place to cut corners. If there is anything even slightly valuable, you need a strong security system in place. Hiring an in-person guard can be expensive, and it can also backfire. That person may get used to not seeing crime or suspicious persons and lose their focus on watching what’s happening at your business. It may be the moment they blink when thieves break-in.
