As spring breathes new life into San Mateo, it's also a great time for businesses to refresh their security strategies. While the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported a decline in violent and property crimes in its 2024 year-end statistics, the reality is more complex.
In unincorporated areas and cities like Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, San Carlos, Portola Valley, and Woodside, over 2,000 property crimes were still recorded—proving that vigilance remains essential.
For San Mateo businesses, this season presents an opportunity to identify vulnerabilities, upgrade security systems, and implement proactive deterrent strategies to stay ahead of potential threats.
A layered security approach, consistent risk assessments, and data-driven decision-making are key to minimizing risks and protecting employees, assets, and business continuity.
Here’s how local businesses can take proactive steps to strengthen security this spring:
- Assess Your San Mateo Business’s Security Posture
A strong security strategy starts with identifying vulnerabilities before they become liabilities. Spring is the ideal time for San Mateo businesses to review and strengthen their security measures to ensure maximum protection.
Begin by analyzing recent security incidents—have there been attempted break-ins, unauthorized access, or suspicious activity?
Identifying trends can help determine whether your current security systems are effectively deterring threats. A valuable resource for local crime updates is the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office newsroom, which provides insights into recent incidents and emerging risks in the area.
Next, evaluate key areas of risk:
- Perimeter Security: Are entry points, gates, and fences properly secured? Do surveillance cameras provide full coverage of critical areas?
- Access Control: Are employees using up-to-date credentials? Are visitor management protocols being consistently enforced?
- Intrusion Detection: Are alarm systems fully functional, and do alerts promptly reach the right personnel?
- System Reliability & Downtime Prevention: Are security systems routinely tested and maintained to prevent failures that could leave your business vulnerable?
Once vulnerabilities are identified, the next step is to inspect your physical security infrastructure to ensure all components are fully operational and provide reliable protection.
- Inspect physical security infrastructure
San Mateo County saw a 53% increase in shoplifting from 2019 to 2022, peaking at 347 reported incidents. In response, law enforcement agencies in San Mateo, San Bruno, and Daly City formed the Organized Retail Theft Task Force in November 2023 to combat rising retail crime.
The task force has already shown promising results—189 arrests, 163 cases, and over $80,000 in recovered stolen goods in 2024. While this crackdown is helping deter retail theft, businesses in San Mateo and across the Peninsula continue to face a wide range of security threats beyond shoplifting.
Break-ins, vandalism, and unauthorized access remain pressing concerns, often caused by aging security equipment, overlooked vulnerabilities, or lack of routine maintenance.
However, even the most sophisticated security systems can fail if they are not regularly inspected and tested, leaving businesses exposed to costly security gaps. A seasonal inspection ensures that your physical security infrastructure is functioning as intended, preventing costly gaps in protection.
Start by assessing critical security components:
- Surveillance Cameras: Are all cameras operational, properly positioned, and recording clear footage? Are there any blind spots?
- Access Control Systems: Test keycards, biometric scanners, and entry logs to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas.
- Alarm & Intrusion Detection: Verify that motion sensors, glass-break detectors, and alarms are functioning correctly and responding to triggers.
- Perimeter Security: Inspect fences, gates, locks, and exterior lighting to confirm physical barriers are secure and act as effective deterrents.
- Emergency Systems: Test fire alarms, panic buttons, and communication systems to ensure they work in case of an emergency.
A proactive maintenance approach extends the lifespan of security investments and ensures protection when it matters most. Regular inspections help businesses stay ahead of potential failures, minimizing downtime and security risks.
- Align security with business growth
As your business expands so will your security needs. Whether you’re opening new locations, increasing staff, or upgrading technology, your security strategy should scale alongside your operations.
This is especially critical in Northern California, where businesses are facing a troubling surge in property crimes and retail theft. According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), commercial burglaries in California’s 15 largest counties reached their highest levels since 2008 in 2022.
Among these, San Mateo County saw the most significant spike in shoplifting incidents, with a 53% increase compared to previous years. As businesses grow, maintaining a robust security posture is essential to protect assets, employees, and business continuity.
Consider these key factors to ensure security keeps pace with growth:
- Adapting Access Control: As your workforce evolves, ensure that new employees have proper credentials while former employees’ access is promptly revoked.
- Expanding Surveillance Coverage: If your facility has grown, are all high-risk areas still monitored effectively? Add cameras where needed and integrate analytics for better oversight.
- Upgrading Security Systems: New technologies, such as AI-driven threat detection and cloud-based monitoring, can enhance efficiency and scalability.
By aligning security with business growth, you create a proactive defense that evolves with your company—preventing vulnerabilities before they arise and ensuring continued protection at every stage of expansion.
Strengthen Your Security with a Proactive Approach
Security threats in Northern California continue to change, and businesses that delay action risk becoming vulnerable. Retail theft, property crimes, and unauthorized access are increasing, making proactive security measures more important than ever.
At Security 101 – Northern California, we help businesses take control of their security with tailored strategies that protect assets, employees, and daily operations. By reviewing your security profile, inspecting infrastructure, and aligning protection with business growth, you ensure your security keeps pace with new challenges.
Waiting for a breach isn’t a strategy—it’s a risk. A proactive security plan prevents costly incidents, ensures business continuity, and gives you peace of mind.