Anyone who has driven a car knows what it’s like to cross a huge parking lot to reach their destination. Even in the middle of the day, when visibility is high and there are many people around, carving a path through the car jungle is not an inviting option. In the dark, walking alone, parking lots can be even more forboding. Parking lot designs cater to cars and those who drive them, while pedestrians and bikers — and their safety — are  largely ignored. The safety of all people, not just drivers, should be an establishment’s main priority.
Parking lots are some of the most challenging areas to secure. Usually large and poorly lit, parking lots and garages provide very real reasons to feel unsafe. Even though security cameras or guards are sometimes assigned to monitor these dangerous areas, it is impossible to oversee everything and provide quick and efficient response at all times.
In addition, heavily guarded parking lots might send the right message to criminals but the wrong one to consumers. Consumers do not want to feel as if something could threaten their safety at any moment. National statistics show that 80 percent of retail area crime occurs in parking lots and garages. Throughout the United States, parking facilities are the third most frequent place in which crime happens, with 1,400 attacks occurring each day, according to the National Institute of Justice. This number includes crime against people as well as vehicle theft and other property damage.
Parking lots tend to cause security concerns, but they are not inherently dangerous places. There are essentially two ways to address the potential safety risks related to parking lots. The first is to dedicate time and money to innovative surveillance technologies and enforcement, making sure patrols are in place and phones are available. However, parking lots must remain consumer-friendly, so simple investments in lighting and landscaping may offer a better solution. Parking lots must be redesigned to accommodate pedestrians and bikers. Any cost would be worth the increased safety.