Car dealerships face a wide variety of security threats and are particularly susceptible to theft and property damage, particularly with high-value inventory left outside for public display. Although car dealerships experience the same security breaches as other retailers, many of their challenges are completely unique to their industry.

The theft of high-end luxury vehicles is becoming a serious problem at dealerships. The automotive dealerships industry estimates that it has lost $223 million nationwide in connection with car theft rings, including $5.7 million in DuPage County alone.

Security Challenges Faced by Car Dealerships

The auto industry is worth an estimated $2 trillion and continues to grow each year. But with this increase in revenues comes an increased risk of crime, and the theft of vehicles and vehicle parts is most definitely on the rise.

Due to short supply and heavy demand due to disruptions from the Covid pandemic, vehicles are particularly valuable commodities these days. Reports from the National Insurance Crime Bureau show an unprecedented surge in auto thefts across the country over the past two years, with the biggest jump in car thefts right here in Chicago: car thefts increased by a staggering 134% in 2020. Although theft figures are beginning to level out as pandemic restrictions lift, statistics remain disturbingly high.

 Common Threats to Car Dealership Security

One of the most significant challenges in auto dealership security is allowing easy access to potential customers while protecting valuable assets from criminal activity. Car dealerships offer a world of opportunity to experienced thieves. Unfortunately, theft is far from the only threat of financial loss and reputation damage for dealerships.

Successful criminals will study auto dealership routines and often choose the busiest times to strike, allowing them to disappear within the hustle and bustle. The threats listed below are only a handful of the many ways that criminals can cause a significant detriment to a dealership’s bottom line and reputation.

Vehicle Theft

 Chicago is currently facing a rash of thefts from car dealerships across the city. Over the past year alone, Chicago auto dealers have reported losses in the millions of dollars from sophisticated heists targeting their lots, a threat which continues to be a problem for both car dealers and law enforcement. Surveillance video footage shows that car thieves are brazen, organized, and capable of operating quickly. Earlier in 2021, several people stole 15 luxury vehicles within minutes from a dealership at a $1 million loss.

 Catalytic Converter Theft

 Not all vehicle theft involves stealing the entire vehicle. Many criminals today are also invested in stealing valuable parts, which can easily be hoisted over a gate.

One of the most costly crimes executed on dealership properties involves catalytic converter theft, which can be challenging to identify and stop. Armed with an array of tools and techniques, thieves are becoming faster and more sophisticated in their pursuit of catalytic converters. Because removing the catalytic converter won’t disable the vehicle, it’s unlikely that the theft will be noticed until the impacted vehicle is started or driven. While thieves will cash in stolen converters at recycling facilities for a couple hundred dollars per converter, each converter can cost the vehicle’s owner thousands of dollars to replace. This is an enormous cost for any auto dealer, particularly when a customer’s vehicle is targeted and must be kept for additional repairs.

 VIN Switching

 Unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) are increasingly being used in a car theft scam known as VIN switching. A vehicle’s VIN number – etched on labels that are intended to be permanently affixed to the car – is the most reliable way of accurately tracing the vehicle’s history and title ownership. Without the VIN, a car has no ‘identity’. Criminals use various methods to swap VINs, including scams commonly referred to as Strip & Run, Salvage Switch, and VIN cloning.

Compared with other scams, VIN switching is relatively uncommon. However, reports show that not only are incidents are increasing but that the crime has flown below the radar of consumer watch groups. Victims are usually left helpless to do anything about it, and VIN-switched vehicles have been sold by unsuspecting auto dealers. Oftentimes, the crime only comes to light when car theft rings are busted by law enforcement and their activities are thoroughly investigated.

 Customer Identity Fraud

 Vehicular theft rings that utilize fake identities to steal luxury vehicles from dealerships have captured recent headlines across Chicago. In September of 2021, a multi-state car theft ring based in Chicago used stolen and fraudulent identities to defraud car dealerships and financial institutions, setting up financing for high-end vehicles. The conspiracy resulted in losses totaling over $100,000 for dealerships and financing companies in Chicago.

Relay Theft

 Many newer model vehicles feature keyless entry systems that allow the driver to unlock and start their car without keys when a fob is within range. While convenient for drivers, keyless entry systems have created new opportunities for theft. Criminals have developed cloning devices that can intercept the signal from the smart key so it appears to the vehicle that a key is present. For safety reasons, the engine won’t cut out when this key is out of range. The entire process can take as little as 60 seconds. Thieves are using the relay theft method to steal vehicles from driveways as well as dealerships.

Theft Prevention Strategies for Chicago Car Dealerships

Given the range of security issues facing auto dealerships, it’s critical that car dealers are aware of threats and implement reliable solutions to protect their valuable inventory and customers.

The FBI estimates that nearly $6 billion worth of vehicles are stolen each year. Without the proper car dealership security systems in place, your dealership could be next. Auto dealerships must implement multiple layers of security designed to be proactive in nature and prevent criminal activity before it starts.

Blue Star Security’s highly experienced team of law enforcement officers works closely with auto dealerships to provide customized security solutions tailored to their needs. Committed to delivering unparalleled solutions for loss prevention and inventory protection, our team is skilled in assessing security issues and mitigating threats before they start. Car dealers invest far too much money into their inventory for security to be an afterthought.

In our post-pandemic world, implementing security strategies is invaluable to your dealership’s lot and assets.

Security threats are present any time a large number of people are gathered together, and it’s the responsibility of every event host to ensure the safety of their guests. This is particularly important in light of incidents that have occurred during large scale events in recent years, in which large scale events have become the target of terrorist attacks, mass shootings and other incidents that have resulted in injuries and the loss of life. By their very nature, events such as conferences, festivals, concerts, sporting events, fairs and fundraisers attract large crowds and become easy targets for crimes such as robbery, theft, assault and terrorism. Events may also become opportunities for special interest groups to publicly demonstrate. With this in mind, it is imperative that event organizers assess safety concerns and take steps to mitigate potential risks.

Event security professionals are not only trained to act in emergency situations, but also to assess risks and implement strategies aimed at threat prevention. The primary objective of event security isn’t to respond to threats, but to prevent them from occurring in the first place. No matter the size or scale of an event, a great deal of event security takes place behind the scenes. In this sense, it is critical for security to be customized for each specific event.

Insufficient event planning, management, crowd control, event security and emergency response drastically increases the likelihood of catastrophic, life-threatening incidents.

What Is Special Event Security?  

Special events are typically defined by large crowds and are often held at venues capable of accommodating crowds of people. When planning and managing major special events, security professionals must consider specific criteria in determining the likelihood that an event will become susceptible to undesirable activity. This criteria includes the following:

• Size of the event
• Location of the event
• Duration of the event
• Previous threats to the event or event location
• Political, historical or symbolic significance of the event
• Nature and extent of media coverage
• Attendance or presence of VIPs, celebrities and/or dignitaries

As the number of criteria impacting threat probability increases, so does the risk for injuries, accidents, and financial losses.

In order to effectively plan and manage the security of major special events, a security team must take many elements into consideration, including:

• Planning for worst-case scenarios and catastrophes (i.e. violence and terrorist attacks) as well as ordinary crimes and incidents (i.e. fights and disorderly conduct of patrons)
• Weighing all security measures that could conceivably be taken (i.e. road closure, visible tactical units, and searches)
• Ensuring that the event progresses safely while respecting freedom of speech and assembly
• Establishing customized organizational structures and methods of communication

A competent event security team understands that protecting the guests, property and venue at all times requires a multi-layered approach. The planning and execution of event security generally includes the following services:

• Risk assessment
• Event workforce management
• Event safety management and planning
• Media liaison
• VIP arrival and departure protocols

Special events often draw media attention, which can place demands on event organizers that can change quickly and potentially become overwhelming. Since media coverage is essential for most special events, an important element of event security involves media liaison.

Ultimately, behind every successful special event is a security plan that has been specifically customized for that particular event. The plan must consider every potential security risk and have specific actions in motion to mitigate against those risks.

How Much Security Is Needed For An Event?

It is impossible for anyone to plan for every contingency, but a careful assessment and analysis of an event helps to determine how much security is needed and where. Any experienced event planner knows that ‘expecting the unexpected’ is a critical component of staying in control of an event and maintaining an event that proceeds smoothly.

Determining proper security needs is not a simple equation and depends on numerous factors. A smaller event, for example, does not necessarily mean that fewer security officers are needed. A space that is too small can easily become overcrowded and just as difficult to control as a larger space.

The security personnel-patron ratio must be considered from several different angles to ensure that the event is properly secured. Some of the key factors to consider when determining this ratio include, but are not limited to:

• Type of event
• Crowd demographics
• Venue size
• Staff ratios and responsibilities

The presence of alcohol is another critical consideration in determining the likelihood of incidents. A competent and experienced security team will evaluate the unique factors of every specific event to determine presence needed.

Event security personnel must be properly trained to effectively manage large crowds and handle developing situations quickly and discreetly, which requires experience in specific tactics such as risk management, first aid, and crowd control.

Why Is Security Important At Events?

There are a number of serious risks involved with insufficient security planning, which include but are not limited to:

• Injuries and loss of life
• Property damage
• Higher insurance premiums from claims and lawsuits
• Increased operating costs or loss of revenue
• Major event disruptions
• Reputational damage
• Problems for future events, as sponsors, vendors and patrons may not attend

Having a security presence at an event not only provides a sense of comfort and safety for attendees, but it also demonstrates professionalism, particularly in the case of corporate events and conferences. Providing event security and protection shows potential business partners, investors, and associates that their well-being and best interests are important and have been taken into consideration.

How Much Does Event Security Cost? 

Off-duty police officers are generally more expensive than armed security guards, and for good reason: police officers are highly trained in a wide variety of capacities and disciplines relevant to effective event security (i.e. high-pressure situations, crisis management, crowd control, surveillance, and conflict resolution). In this sense, off-duty police officers come at a higher price due to their extensive training and experience.

Hourly rates vary depending on the date of the event, the number of off-duty officers required, the duration of the event, etc. Event planners can request a quote for event security services facilitated by off-duty police officers at https://bluestarsecurityllc.com/services/event-security/

With the rise of global insecurity, the awareness to stay safe at work is of paramount importance not just to employee but also the employer. The Human Resource of every organization is mandated to ensure that they pass regular security tips to employees. The truth is that if employees are safe, definitely the organization will be safe as well.

As a corporate executive in an organization, you will not only be exposed to physical threats, but also threats from online and also via the phone that is why it is very imperative for employees and employers as well to be proactive when it comes to security issues. There should be established protocol on how to handle various degree of security threat.

1. Don’t Expose Your Company’s Vital Info to Strangers

You first responsibility as an employee in any organization is to ensure that you keep your company’s vital info and trade secret safe. Under no circumstance should you expose your company’s vital info to strangers. A breach in your company’s security won’t just affect your job but it will also affect your organization.

2. Ensure That All Doors and Windows are properly locked when leaving the Office

If you are the last person to leave the office, it is important to ensure that all the doors and windows are properly locked before leaving the office. It won’t take you up to 5 minutes to do this.

3. Ensure that there are Security Lights at the Entrance and All around Your Office Premises

When there are security lights at the entrance of your office and also all around the premises, it makes it easier to notice strange movements and intruders especially if you resume very early in the morning.

5. Password Your Computer and Documents

If you work with computers at work, it is important to create passwords for your computer and documents to prevent people from having easy access to your work document and info.

6. If You Make Use of Laptops, Ensure That They Are Kept Safe at All Times

It is your responsibility to ensure that the organization’s properties under your care are kept safe at all times, especially your laptops.

8. Install Alarm System in Your Car if You Travel to Work with It 

You should also consider installing alarm system in your car since nobody will be held responsible if your car is stolen from a public car park.

9. Ensure That the Emergency Exits are Passable

It will not be a wise decision to only make use of emergency exits during emergency, it is important to confirm if all emergency exits are passable.

17. Don’t Store Non Official Info / Document in Your Official Computer

Try as much as possible to keep your private life away from your office, don’t store your non official info or document in your official computer if you do, people (I.T. Admin) can easily access them.

We live in a world where workplace protection, cyber security and other threats present a constant challenge. Blue Star Security will help protect your people, your physical assets, your corporate data and your intellectual property on a global scale. Blue Star Security’s experienced team will protect your company’s employees, physical assets, business processes, and reputation from potential threats.