Whether you own commercial or residential real-estate, one of the most worthwhile expenses is spending money to ensure that you have an effective security program in place. It makes it easier to attract quality tenants- and it certainly aids in lowering the amount of claims that you will have at a location.

Here are three major security threats that your property can face in today's market:

Vandalism: Although the growth of gangs was pretty small during the first part of this century, graffiti and vandalism in residential and commercial areas has started to increase again. The problem can become particularly acute if you have vacant units that you are managing. According to HUD.gov, although there is a definite link between vacancies and property crime increases, it is difficult to put statistics out that effectively measure the actual amount of crime increase that you can expect because when the numbers are created they do not differentiate between property that is vacant and not actively being rented and property that is. Just the same, on the positive side, many firms have tailored their real estate security programs to match market conditions, giving property owners that have vacant units specialized security that is designed to help prevent property loss until the property can be rented. Some of this sophistication was developed during the Great Recession, when thousands of buildings were vacant and targeted by those seeking to lower their value through vandalism.

Theft: If you look at police statistics in every major city, you will see that there is always more property crime near commercial establishments because there is simply more traffic that visits those locations on any given day. For owners who are interested in using the latest technology to combat potential problems, some security companies offer sophisticated camera systems that are hooked up to the internet and allow centralized monitoring of properties for a lower price than you would pay for an on site guard. If your property merits a guard's presence, cameras can also augment their effectiveness. The key to being successful by adding cameras to block theft is to place them in places that they will be effective. One upscale marina did not do so and had several luxury cars broken into despite guards and a camera system that had fixed locations monitored. The thieves simply figured out where the cameras were and what they were not monitoring. On the other hand, a taco store in Las Vegas had its cameras so well positioned that when thieves broke in after hours, they made a commercial out of the robbery to show that every movement in their restaurant that is not supposed to be made will be on camera.

Gangs: Technology has advanced to the point where criminals have started removing car collision warning systems and using the radar to scan buildings in a neighborhood. This gives them the capability of determining whether there is any movement inside a building. If there isn't, they can assume that it is safe to rob. Some retail locations have also had their tenants add 3D-sound systems that push directed sound out to address people individually. The problem with this type of system is that tenant security is frequently co-opted into addressing people who are merely shoppers, turning them off as clients. In some communities in California, this has actually increased the amount of vacancies. Using a firm that provides real estate security programs that take these tactics into account can help lower your liability and your potential loss. The most important thing for you to know as a real estate professional regarding gang activity is whether a potential security firm that you interview will be forthright about this type of problem or whether they will discount it as not important. A solid company will have an answer for you that encompasses the conditions that you will likely face.

Keeping your insurance rates reasonable and your properties hassle-free in terms of damage due to vandalism can be a difficult part of a property manager's job. By finding a firm that understands nuance when it comes to threats and can leverage technology and know-how to reach your security goals, you will end up saving yourself time and money.