Property owners have a legal duty to protect visitors from preventable harm. Ignoring this duty can cause someone to get hurt, which can lead to a negligent security case. These incidents fall under premises liability law and usually involve dangerous or unmonitored environments. Knowing what qualifies as negligent security helps victims identify when their rights may have been violated.
High-end areas like Nob Hill, North Valley, Four Hills Village, Sandia Heights, etc., in Albuquerque tend to have better adherence to safety measures. On the other hand, low-cost areas like Jarales, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Meadow Lake, and El Cerro have a high tendency for security issues. If you are injured as a result of a property owner failing to provide appropriate safety measures, you should talk to an Albuquerque negligent security lawyer to guide you on what to do.
The following five examples will help you to understand negligent security in premises liability law.
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1. Poor or Inadequate Lighting
Common areas of danger are dimly lit parking lots, stairways, and hallways. Inadequate lighting allows thieves to hide or approach unnoticed. Even something as basic as a burned-out lightbulb might have grave consequences. For instance, someone late at night strolling to their car in a dark parking lot might be attacked.
Inadequate lighting also makes it more difficult for people to know what’s going on around them. Should the owner of the property know about the damaged light and fail to repair it, they can be held responsible. Good illumination is a great way to limit the activities of thieves in an area. Besides, maintaining lighting also prevents accidents, such as falls or slips.
2. Missing or Broken Security Equipment
Security systems are not only about cameras. Access points, locks, alarms, and gates also make up the security system of a premises. Major red flags are broken cameras, malfunctioning alarms, or missing locks. These tools are supposed to stop illegal access and notify police or staff members should something go wrong.
Crime is easy when these systems fail or are never installed. Guests and tenants of an apartment with broken entry cameras or a hotel without functioning door locks are in danger. Regular maintenance of security equipment should be done by property owners.
3. No On-Site Security Personnel
Certain locations require guards on-site to maintain safety. Good examples are large venues, crowded malls, and apartment buildings. One could deem a site negligent if it has a history of criminal activity and no guards are assigned. Guards assist to stop and handle threats before things get out of hand.
4. Untrained or Inadequate Security Staff
Security staff must know how to respond to emergencies. Untrained security may panic or take wrong actions during an incident. An unqualified guard might overlook warning signs or act too slowly. Property owners have to be sure guards get appropriate instruction and training.
5. Ignoring Known Risks or Past Crimes
If a property has had problems before, owners must take steps to fix them. This could call for employing experienced guards, revised security systems, or extra patrols. Ignoring regular break-ins or attacks indicates a disregard for visitor safety. Failing to act on known risks is a key example of negligent security.
