Halloween may be an exciting night for children and families, however, it presents unique security challenges for businesses. The combination of increased nighttime activity and seasonal mischief can leave properties vulnerable from fireworks, to broken glass, to graffiti and other security risks. Travelers Risk Control handler, Scott Humphrey, states that “there are 17% more crime-related claims on Halloween” compared to other nights of the year, highlighting the need for increased security on Halloween. For retail stores in particular, Halloween night presents increased risks of property damage and break-ins.
While Halloween is typically a night of harmless fun, increased excitement can quickly lead to bad behaviour. Businesses can benefit from enhanced security measures to protect against potential incidents. In this blog, we’ll explore how security guards maintain safety, prevent property damage, and respond to crime on Halloween.
1. Preventing Vandalism and Property Damage
Uniformed security guards provide a visible deterrent against vandalism, which can spike during Halloween night. Guards conduct regular exterior patrols throughout their shifts, paying special attention to walls, windows, and other surfaces that might be targeted for graffiti or damage. For retail security teams, these patrols are particularly important in loading areas, back alley access points, and around store entrances, where vandalism most commonly occurs. Guards also monitor for groups or individuals loitering near the property, professionally addressing any suspicious behaviour before it escalates into vandalism.
2. After-Hours Protection
After-dark hours on Halloween are often when businesses face the highest risk of property damage. Mobile security patrols are particularly effective during these hours, providing random checks throughout the night. These patrols are conducted in a marked security vehicle equipped with flashing lights, which can provide a strong element of deterrence when used. Security guards monitor for individuals attempting to damage property or gain unauthorized access, documenting any incidents and contacting law enforcement when necessary.
Some stores located in high-traffic areas may opt for overnight static security. In these cases, additional uniformed security guards can be stationed at key access points to prevent unauthorized entry and deter vandalism.
3. Responding to Incidents
Security guards are trained to handle situations that commonly occur on Halloween night. This includes addressing cases of property damage or vandalism, monitoring for break-in attempts, and ensuring that after-hours trespassers don't damage business property. Guards can effectively manage confrontations through peaceful de-escalation techniques while maintaining the security of the premises.
4. Report Writing
Security guards will maintain detailed reports of all Halloween night activities, creating a record of incidents and suspicious behaviour. These reports help identify patterns of vandalism or break-in attempts, allowing businesses to better prepare in the future. Should property damage occur, these detailed reports can be provided to law enforcement or insurance companies, complete with times, dates, and descriptions of individuals involved.
At Blackbird Security, our guards use the industry-standard reporting software TrackTik. This app allows our guards to write reports and collect visual documentation in the field, which can be accessed in real-time by our clients and the Blackbird team, allowing for full transparency across a given site.
5. Alarm Response
Mobile security guards act as a first line of response to triggered alarms on Halloween night. Rather than relying solely on local law enforcement, who may be busy with increased Halloween calls, security guards can quickly investigate the cause of alarms and take appropriate action. Businesses safeguarded overnight by Blackbird Security’s mobile patrols are protected by our 24/7 Control Centre team. In the event of a triggered alarm, our team will deploy the nearest mobile security guard to assess the situation and take action as needed.
Partner With Canada’s Top Retail Security Provider
At Blackbird Security, retail security is one of our core specialties. We safeguard nationwide brands across Canada including Lululemon, Safeway, Sephora, Uniqlo, and more. Whether you need additional coverage for a few select periods of the year, such as Black Friday weekend or Halloween, or are looking to upgrade your security team, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with us through the form below to learn how we can safeguard your business.
In addition to retail security, we provide services in the following areas:
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