Choosing the wrong security partner for an Illinois mall is a costly mistake. Usually, you don’t realize you’ve made it until a crisis hits. To protect your tenants, shoppers, and bottom line, use this straightforward checklist to vet your next provider.
Call us at 847.353.7200 | Email us service@sentrysecurity.com
1. Prioritize Large-Scale Experience
Securing a house is not the same as securing a 500,000-square-foot mall. You need a partner that understands high foot traffic, multiple entry points, and complex parking structures.
- The Sentry Difference: We have decades of experience protecting high-value commercial properties and retail environments across Illinois.
2. Demand Custom Engineering
If a company offers you a “standard package,” walk away. Every mall has a unique layout and risk profile. Your system should be built for your specific blueprints, not a sales catalog.
- The Sentry Difference: Our system design team maps out your property to identify blind spots before recommending a single camera.
3. Insist on In-House Monitoring
Many companies outsource monitoring to massive, third-party call centers. When an alarm goes off, you want an operator who knows your mall’s layout and your specific emergency protocols.
- The Sentry Difference: Our professional monitoring ensures that when an alert triggers, our team knows exactly who to call and where to send them.
4. Look for Total System Integration
Your cameras, alarms, and access controls shouldn’t work in silos. A modern mall needs a “single pane of glass” where all systems talk to each other in real-time.
- The Sentry Difference: Our integrated systems combine video, fire safety, and intrusion detection into one easy-to-manage platform.
Call us at 847.353.7200 | Email us service@sentrysecurity.com
5. Verify Active Threat Protocols
In an emergency, every second counts. Ask your provider: How do you help police when they arrive? If they don’t have a tech-heavy answer, they aren’t ready for modern threats.
- The Sentry Difference: We use 911Inform and RapidSOS to give first responders live camera feeds and building data before they arrive.
6. Require a Maintenance Plan
A security system is only as good as its last inspection. If a camera goes down in a stairwell and no one notices for a week, you’re at risk.
- The Sentry Difference: Our maintenance services include proactive health checks to ensure your hardware is always online.