Homelessness is a deeply complex and sensitive issue, but for property owners and managers, unauthorized encampments often bring challenges like theft, vandalism, and safety concerns.

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Understanding Homeless Encampments

Homeless encampments are temporary settlements created by individuals or groups in search of shelter. Businesses with property near these camps often report stolen wiring, batteries, and equipment, which are often times repurposed within these camps. These incidents can result in significant costs and disruptions, including damaged building equipment and siphoned fuel or power. In more extreme cases, employee safety becomes a serious concern due to the proximity of these camps and the potential for unexpected encounters or incidents.

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As of January 2023, approximately 653,104 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States, marking the highest number since reporting began in 2007.

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Traditional Methods of Deterring Homeless Encampments

Property managers have employed various strategies to deter homeless encampments. While these approaches can be effective, they may also generate controversy or ethical concerns. Here are a few examples:

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• Anti-Homeless Spikes:
  Metal spikes installed on flat surfaces to prevent sleeping or loitering. These measures are often viewed as controversial and can reflect poorly on a brand’s image.
  
  
• Good Outdoor Cameras:
  Outdoor cameras with high resolution and night vision are often used to monitor areas prone to encampments. However, static cameras alone may not deter determined individuals.
  
  
• Creative Ways to Deter Homeless Encampments:
  Techniques like fencing, increased lighting, and regular patrols are used to make areas less hospitable for long-term stays. While effective, these measures require significant investment and maintenance.
  

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The Challenges of Unauthorized Homeless Encampments

Unauthorized encampments can pose significant challenges for property owners, including increased crime rates, property devaluation, and substantial cleanup costs. Understanding the impact of these encampments is crucial for implementing effective deterrent strategies.

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Crime Rates

Studies indicate that areas with unauthorized homeless camps experience higher crime rates. For instance, research from the National Institutes of Health found that the rate of violent crimes was 40 times higher, and nonviolent crimes 27 times higher, among homeless populations compared to the general population.

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Property Devaluation

The presence of encampments can lead to a decline in property values.

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‍A study focusing on Los Angeles estimated that homeless encampments resulted in citywide property value losses totaling $9.3 billion.

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Municipal Costs

Cities incur significant expenses managing and responding to unauthorized homeless camps. A 2019 study reported that Houston, TX, spent approximately $3.4 million annually on such responses.

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How Mobile Surveillance Trailers Offer a Better Homeless Deterrence Solution

Mobile Monitoring with Active Deterrence

Surveillance trailers are equipped with good outdoor cameras featuring high-definition video, night vision, and AI-driven analytics. These cameras detect unusual activity and notify property managers or law enforcement in real-time.

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Additionally, the trailers’ built-in loudspeakers enable live agents to issue customized verbal warnings, serving as an immediate deterrent—for example: "You in the gray coat and brown pants, you are trespassing. Please leave the premises, or the police will be called."

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Hardened Components for High-Risk Locations

For properties located in high-risk areas—where property owners or employees have experienced dangerous or violent encounters with local individuals—mobile surveillance trailers provide an added layer of safety. These environments often demand robust, tamper-resistant security solutions that can withstand deliberate attempts at damage or theft.

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If a customer identifies their area as particularly prone to theft, tampering, or damage from nearby homeless camps, Deploy Surveillance can harden an existing unit to meet the challenge. These "armored" trailers feature hardened components, including metal protective shells for vulnerable parts, more advanced and secure locks, thicker metal, and rivet-secured enclosures.

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This “armor” ensures that even in the most challenging conditions, your property remains protected, and the trailer continues to function without interruption.

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Non-Invasive Presence

Unlike measures such as anti-homeless spikes, mobile security trailers offer a non-invasive approach to discouraging homeless camps. Their visible presence alone often deters unauthorized activity, avoiding the controversies associated with more aggressive deterrents.

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Custom Alerts and Notifications

Surveillance trailers can be programmed to detect specific behaviors, such as individuals loitering in restricted areas or tampering with equipment. The trailers’ ability to send custom alerts ensures swift responses to potential threats, reducing the likelihood of escalation.

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What Are the Next Steps to Securing a Site with Mobile Surveillance?

• STEP 1 - The process begins with a personalized consultation when property managers contact a mobile surveillance company. A representative assesses the property’s unique security needs and creates a custom site layout map based on input, highlighting key areas of concern.
• STEP 2 - Property managers provide information about past issues with unauthorized encampments or trespassing and offer insights on optimal camera placement to ensure maximum visibility and coverage. Experts then collaborate to strategically position cameras and establish digital boundaries tailored to the property’s layout.
• STEP 3 - After finalizing the layout, specific protocols for handling security breaches are established. For instance, when a digital boundary is crossed, the monitoring team can immediately alert designated contacts or local authorities, trigger audible warnings through the trailer’s loudspeaker, or activate strobe lights to deter further intrusion.
• STEP 4 - Advanced features like Axis® Loiter Guard may also be utilized. This tool is particularly effective for properties near encampments, as it distinguishes between individuals passing through and those lingering in restricted areas. Loiter Guard flags activity exceeding pre-defined time limits, focusing attention only on behavior that may pose a potential threat.

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Conclusion

Homeless camps present unique challenges for property owners, from theft to safety concerns. It's critical to find security trailers that provide an innovative solution that combines good outdoor cameras, tamper-resistant “armor,” and active deterrence features to address these issues effectively.

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About Deploy Surveillance

Deploy Surveillance offers self-sufficient, solar-powered hybrid mobile surveillance units for cloud-based monitoring, uniquely tailored to meet the security needs of any setting. All trailers and camera units are proudly made in the U.S.A. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company serves clients nationwide. For more information or to request a custom quote, visit https://www.deploysurveillance.com.

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