Smart security solutions for Los Angeles retail businesses

From the early 20th century, Los Angeles has been known across the world for its unparalleled shopping scene. But success in LA retail isn’t a given. LA County’s retail market recovery is moving at a slow pace, even four years after the pandemic; bankruptcies of major retailers and small stores are an everyday occurrence; supply chain and labor costs are increasing. Retail businesses also have to account for financial losses related to security threats, such as shoplifting and organized and employee theft.

The surge in security threats calls for enhanced security measures. In this blog, we’ll explore smart security systems, including practical tips and strategy advice for your Los Angeles business security.

Why Los Angeles businesses need advanced security

Similar to any densely populated area, LA-based ​​businesses are vulnerable to a few security threats, such as robberies, break-ins, trespassing, vandalism, and theft.

LA retail business, in particular, has experienced a rise in organized crime. For a few years, Los Angeles has been named the capital of organized retail theft in the country. LA retail businesses suffered billions in losses, with an average shrink rate of 1.6%, most of it attributed to theft.

Since 2019, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed more than 1,500 organized retail theft charges to combat this serious crime. Just in the first six months of 2024, prosecutors have filed 477 charges. Investigators have recovered thousands of stolen goods, worth millions of dollars.

Often, criminals carry out coordinated attacks—known as smash-and-grabs—on stores selling high-value or easily resold items, such as luxury goods. However, they don’t limit themselves to luxury retailers, criminal groups also target discount stores, small businesses, big box retailers, chain stores, boutiques, and others.

Faced with these unprecedented levels of theft and even violence, many retailers choose to reduce their operating hours and in-store product selection, while some close stores entirely.

Retailers can’t overcome these threats alone. There’s a rising demand for smarter security with a focus on loss prevention. While time-honored proven measures can somewhat help—like increasing the number of security personnel or installing additional CCTV cameras—now is also the time to invest in innovative security measures.

Hiring security guards vs. smart security systems

For LA retail security, both additional security guards and smart security systems are beneficial. On-site standing guards can help oversee stores’ entrances and provide a visible deterrent, while security agents patrolling the property at night can discourage trespassers and burglars. Smart security systems, on the other hand, are usually cost-effective and offer 24/7 monitoring, as well as proactive security measures.

A business should consider several questions when deciding between hiring security guards and installing smart security systems:

• What’s the budget? Hiring additional security agents can be more expensive—new personnel require training, benefits, and compensation.
• Where is the business located? Crime rates and threats differ from one neighborhood to another.
• What are the risks? Some businesses face threats of violence to their employees, while others have to deal with internal theft.

In LA, retail businesses can also boost their security by finding professional guards, such as on-site standing guards, monitoring agents, and patrols. One of the biggest benefits of human experts is their ability to de-escalate conflicts, address situations directly, provide assistance to customers and employees, and identify suspicious behavior in real time.

However, human professionals can make mistakes when identifying a potential threat; they can be subjective, and they need breaks. That’s where smart security can complement retail security guards.

AI-powered surveillance and other smart security tech can provide real-time alerts. These systems are available 24/7. They can flag incidents immediately and accurately distinguish between true threats and harmless activity.

Smart security solutions can monitor an entire store and automatically alert police when a threat is detected. Retail businesses can also access their video footage, change permissions, or monitor alarms from anywhere, anytime, with an application.

Essential smart security solutions for retail businesses

Smart security solutions continuously evolve. Some are available today, others will be in the future.

Los Angeles retail can take advantage of AI-powered surveillance. Essentially, it’s live video surveillance with AI analytics. It includes high-quality, AI-enhanced cameras, featuring high-definition video, night vision, and precise threat detection.

Security professionals install these cameras throughout the store, focusing on entrances, exits, cash registers, and high-value items.

AI analyzes live video for suspicious activity in real time, and can detect such threats as employee theft, shoplifting, or trespassers. Professional monitoring agents are also available: they monitor live surveillance from the stores remotely, 24/7, and call authorities once they detect a safety threat or an emergency.

Video footage from these cameras is usually stored in the cloud for additional security and to ensure it can be easily accessed—or shared with law enforcement or insurance companies.

In addition to AI-powered surveillance, retail businesses in Los Angeles can take advantage of smart access control systems. Using smart locks and sensors, businesses can easily restrict certain areas or manage who’s allowed to enter and leave the store when.

If an incident occurs, retail businesses can also access historical data and track unauthorized access or employee theft.

Door access control can be combined with a comprehensive alarm system, creating an additional security barrier for an LA retail business. The latest technology in alarms lets businesses arm and disarm the system remotely and is connected to video surveillance and access control solutions.

Building a complete business security strategy

For retail businesses trying to build a complete security strategy, the answer lies in integrating smart security systems with access control, alarm systems, professional security agents, and other security solutions.

In addition to finding the right combination of security solutions for their specific security needs, Los Angeles retailers should at the very least train their employees on safety measures and use the latest inventory management system, such as electronic article surveillance (EAS) and point-of-sale (POS) systems.

With criminals quickly adapting to various security measures, LA businesses have to take a proactive approach to security. Gone are the days when they could react to incidents; now they have to future-proof their business. A modern business security strategy is a combination of the latest security technology that can help prevent security incidents and deter crime with a clear understanding of the unique threats and risks a retailer faces.

Choosing the best security company in Los Angeles

Los Angeles remains one of the best shopping destinations in the world. But, to sustain long-term growth, LA County retailers have to adopt a proactive security approach.

When looking for the best security company in Los Angeles, choose an experienced provider that can offer a tailored security solution, including personalized service, backed by state-of-the-art technology.