Self-Storage Facility • London, ON

Storage Break-Ins Stopped: $224,000 Theft Prevented

How SecureStore London eliminated 28 monthly break-ins and restored customer confidence with 24/7 live monitoring.

Modern self-storage facility with security cameras
Client SecureStore London
Location London, Ontario
Property Size 450 units + 3 buildings
Industry Self-Storage

The Challenge

SecureStore London was facing a security crisis with 28 unit break-ins over 12 months, resulting in declining occupancy and customer trust.

  • 28 unit break-ins over 12 months
  • Lock cutting and forced entry incidents
  • Customer belongings stolen (avg. $8,000 per unit)
  • Liability claims totaling $187,000
  • Customer trust and occupancy declining (94% to 71%)
  • Negative online reviews damaging reputation
  • Remote location = slow police response (20-35 minutes)
  • Insurance premiums increased 47%

Breaking Point

Three units broken into in single night. Total losses: $31,000. Two long-term customers moved out and left scathing reviews. Occupancy dropped to 68%.

Previous Security Measures

📹 16 recording-only cameras
🚪 Electronic gate access (easily bypassed)
🔗 Perimeter fencing (frequently cut)
👮 One weekend patrol guard (4 hours Saturday)

The Solution

Supreme Surveillance implemented a comprehensive security redesign with 24/7 live monitoring.

Phase 1 – Security Redesign

  • Added 12 new cameras covering all blind spots
  • Strategically positioned for license plate capture
  • Indoor corridor coverage (all 3 buildings)
  • Outdoor storage area perimeter monitoring

Phase 2 – Technology Integration

  • 28 total cameras with AI analytics
  • License plate recognition at gate
  • Occupancy sensor integration
  • Voice intervention speakers (6 outdoor units)

Phase 3 – Monitoring Protocols

  • 24/7 live monitoring (emphasis on 8 PM – 6 AM)
  • Customer vehicle database
  • After-hours access verification
  • Loitering detection (15+ minutes)

Customer Communication

⚠️ Prominent “24/7 Live Monitoring” signage
📱 Mobile app showing access logs
📊 Monthly security reports to customers
🔔 Immediate incident notifications

The Results

First 6 Months
  • 19 suspicious activity events detected
  • 18 prevented through intervention (95% deterrence)
  • 1 arrest made (suspect caught cutting lock)
  • ZERO successful unit break-ins
  • Customer confidence restored
After 15 Months
  • 37 total suspicious incidents detected
  • 35 prevented (95% prevention rate)
  • 2 arrests (both resulted in convictions)
  • Zero successful break-ins maintained
  • Occupancy recovered to 92%
  • Online rating improved from 3.2★ to 4.7★
$224K Theft Prevented
95% Prevention Rate
28% Insurance Reduction
340% Referral Increase

Financial Impact

Monthly Monitoring Cost $1,680
Annual Cost $20,160
Annual Benefit $423,000
ROI 2,000%+

Marketing Impact

Before Supreme

  • “Just another storage place”
  • Competing on price only
  • Declining occupancy
  • Negative reputation

After Supreme

  • “The secure storage facility”
  • Premium pricing justified
  • Waitlist for units
  • 4.7★ rating with “security” most mentioned

Specific Incident Example

Date: July 8, 2024, 11:17 PM

Incident: Suspect attempting to cut lock at customer unit

11:17:08 PM AI detects person in Building B corridor
11:17:22 PM Operator checks access logs – unauthorized
11:17:36 PM Live voice warning issued
11:17:51 PM Police dispatched with exact location
11:23:00 PM Suspect apprehended in parking lot
Outcome: Suspect had outstanding warrants for similar thefts. Bolt cutters and stolen items from another facility found in vehicle. Customer’s unit undamaged—lock not breached.

“We were losing customers faster than we could replace them. People store their most valuable possessions with us—family heirlooms, business inventory, irreplaceable memories. When break-ins kept happening, we were failing them. Supreme’s monitoring changed everything overnight. The ‘live monitoring’ signs alone deterred most problems. Now we’re known as the safest storage facility in London. We actually have a waiting list. Best business decision we’ve ever made.”

— Sarah Mitchell Owner, SecureStore London

Stop Storage Break-Ins Before They Happen

Protect your customers’ valuables and your business reputation with 24/7 live monitoring.