Parking Lots
Design Problems Parking lots that are open air tend to be safer than underground or covered ones. Open air parking lots provide for more natural surveillance, as other people entering and exiting the mall are able to observe the activity in the parking lot, while this is not the case with multistory closed parking. On other hand, covered parking lots tend to have much better access control, because they usually have one entry and exit which can easily monitored. Lighting is a frequent problem in closed parking lots. Low ceilings and bad lighting provide good hiding spots for criminals, where they are unlikely to be detected while breaking into cars or waiting in lurk for shoppers. To reduce crime in parking lots, many shopping malls use security people patrolling in cars or golf cart-like vehicles. To protect shoppers and workers, security escorts to vehicles are often provided.
Most crime in shopping malls happens in the parking lots, simply because there are many appealing targets and few people around to keep an eye on things.
