What Retail Plaza Security Gaps Reveal About Mobile Patrols

Retail plazas are central to communities across Canada, offering quick and convenient access to services, groceries, and local businesses in one accessible location. However, many retail plazas face security challenges that impact maintenance, customer confidence, and the overall shopping environment. Mobile patrol security comprehensively addresses these issues without the expense of a full-time on-site security guard.

Our recent case study at a busy retail plaza in Surrey, BC, demonstrates how a customized mobile patrol strategy can reduce incidents and improve daily operations for retail plazas of any size. If you’re a retail plaza owner or manager, or just curious to learn more about how mobile patrols can benefit businesses, this article explains how mobile patrols help retail plazas and details the measurable impact mobile patrol security had for our client.

Security Gaps in Retail Plazas

Retail plazas face challenges different from those of malls or single-tenant retail properties. At retail plazas, the number of tenants, size and accessibility of outdoor areas, and extended hours can add complexity. Without the oversight of a dedicated team, issues often add up quickly.

The Surrey retail plaza experienced several issues before mobile patrol security was introduced:

• Constant daily wear-and-tear damaged pavement and shared infrastructure. Out-of-order lighting also created tripping and visibility hazards.
• Parking areas and garbage zones became cluttered and difficult to maintain.
• The plaza was typically left unmonitored during overnight hours, leading to a buildup of issues for morning teams.

Over time, these strategy gaps led to tenant dissatisfaction and reduced customer confidence. While consistent oversight is often necessary, many retail plaza owners are reluctant to invest in full-time security guards due to cost. Mobile patrol security offers an effective, affordable alternative.

How Mobile Patrol Security Addressed Retail Plaza Challenges

Mobile patrol security provides visibility, flexibility, and coverage, with mobile guards conducting foot patrols similar to standard security guards. The difference is that mobile guards don’t stay at one location for their entire shift. Rather, they move between sites, patrolling each on a set schedule.

In retail plazas, mobile guards patrol parking areas, storefronts, loading zones, and shared spaces. They check for suspicious activity, signs of damage or vandalism, and for vagrancy and loitering, addressing each issue swiftly and professionally while writing a detailed security report to share with property managers.

At the retail plaza in Surrey, we scheduled mobile patrols during peak periods and overnight hours. Our strategy included:

1. A Visible Presence

Our mobile patrol vehicles deterred harmful activities before they could escalate into serious issues. We scheduled patrols to take place when the plaza needed them most, deterring unwanted behaviour when it was most likely to happen.

2. Clear Communication and Detailed Reporting

We maintained regular communication with property management, offering daily updates and detailed incident reports to improve oversight and help our client make informed decisions.

3. Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Coverage

Our mobile patrols provided full coverage at a fraction of the cost of a full-time guard. Guards checked parking areas, storefronts, pedestrian walkways, and garbage areas to ensure their continued security. 

Retail Plaza Case Study Results

Our mobile patrol security efforts had an immediate impact at this Surrey retail plaza.

Reduced Incidents

59.8% decrease in the number of incidents.

With consistent mobile patrols in place, total site incidents dropped by more than half. These incidents included anything that affected the condition of the property, such as maintenance issues, litter, and vandalism.

Early intervention is essential across all fields of security. For our retail plaza client, it prevented issues from escalating into expensive repairs, tenant complaints, or damage to their reputation..

Reduced Maintenance Issues

86.8% decrease in maintenance incidents.

Maintenance-related incidents dropped after the introduction of mobile patrol security. Through regular patrols, mobile guards were able to quickly spot broken lighting, surface damage, and signage issues during routine checks. This early detection allowed property managers to schedule prompt repairs, keeping the plaza well-maintained.

Property Damage Was Caught Earlier

75% decrease in property damage incidents.

Property damage incidents decreased significantly thanks to quick damage reporting conducted by mobile patrol guards. Guards identified cracked pavement, damaged windows, and vandalism early, enabling property management to respond before issues affected the safety of the plaza.

Cleaner Shared Areas

25% decrease in garbage-related issues.

Regular mobile patrols discouraged littering, garbage overflow, and illegal dumping, which allowed for faster cleanup and a better overall environment across the entire site. Clean shared spaces are critical for retail plazas, helping them maintain a positive community reputation and benefiting perceived value from tenants and customers alike.

Communication Made the Difference

Reporting is a key benefit of mobile patrol security. At Blackbird Security, we take pride in providing detailed, thorough reports and communication for our clients. At the Surrey retail plaza, property management received daily updates and detailed incident logs, allowing them to track recurring issues, prioritize repairs, and adjust maintenance schedules. 

These key strategic insights helped our client make informed decisions about the day-to-day operations of their plaza.

Why Mobile Patrol Security Works So Well for Retail Plazas

Retail plazas are adaptable spaces. Often, retail plazas are mixed-use, with a variety of retailers, service providers, and even condo buildings. As a result, they need a flexible security solution, which mobile patrol security provides.

For retail plazas, the benefits include:

• Broad site coverage without full-time guard costs.
• Flexible scheduling based on activity levels.
• Visible deterrence through patrol vehicles.
• Foot patrols in high-traffic shared spaces.
• Thorough reporting and documentation for property managers.

Thanks to its flexibility and customizability, mobile patrol security is a scalable, long-term solution for retail plazas of all sizes and in any location.

Partner With Canada’s Top Mobile Patrol Security Service Provider

As shown by our case study, mobile patrol security delivers proven results for retail plazas that require flexible oversight. Mobile patrols turn under-monitored, under-trusted retail plazas into safe, clean, organized spaces that customers love to visit. We helped our client strengthen the relationship between tenants and property managers, improving the plaza for everyone.

If you’re seeking an effective and strategic security solution for your property, contact us to learn how mobile patrol security can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does mobile patrol security support retail plazas?

Mobile patrol security uses rotating vehicle and foot patrols to monitor shared areas, identify issues early, and provide consistent reporting for retail plazas.

What types of issues do mobile guards report?

Guards document maintenance concerns, property damage, cleanliness issues, and general site conditions during each patrol.

Is mobile patrol security more affordable than full-time guards?

Mobile patrol security offers broad coverage at a lower cost than full-time on-site staffing, making it ideal for retail plazas with shared spaces.

How much do mobile patrols cost?

The cost of mobile patrols depends largely on the scope of work, the site’s needs, its size, and how long it needs mobile patrol coverage. For a more accurate quote tailored to your specific site, please get in touch with us here.