---
title: How Municipalities Can Secure Public Buildings
description: City owned buildings that are open to the public have a high risk of crime including vandalism. Learn about Sonitrol security for municipal offices.
image: https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hubfs/Municipal%20Security%20social.png
---

[Blog](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog)

[Categories](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/how-municipalities-can-secure-public-buildings#)

- [Verified Security Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-security-alarms)
- [Commercial Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/commercial-security)
- [CCTV Video Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv-video-surveillance)
- [Retail Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/retail-security)
- [Security Tips](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-tips)
- [Building Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/building-access-control)
- [Office Workplace Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/office-workplace-security)
- [Verified Video Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-video-surveillance)
- [SonaVision Online Monitoring](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/sonavision-online-monitoring)
- [Prevent False Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/prevent-false-alarms)
- [Verified Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-alarms)
- [Security for Construction Sites](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-construction-sites)
- [Construction Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/construction-security)
- [Office Building Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/office-building-security)
- [Security for Auto Dealerships](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-auto-dealerships)
- [Restaurant Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/restaurant-security)
- [Monitored Audio Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/monitored-audio-alarms)
- [CCTV](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv)
- [Pharmacy and Drug Store Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/pharmacy-and-drug-store-security)
- [Security Audit](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-audit)
- [Small Business Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/small-business-security)
- [Managed Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/managed-access-control)
- [Prevent Copper Theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/prevent-copper-theft)
- [Security for Fenced Compounds](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-fenced-compounds)
- [False Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/false-alarms)
- [Police Response to Sonitrol](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/police-response-to-sonitrol)
- [Security for Marijuana Grow-Ops](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-marijuana-grow-ops)
- [Crime Prevention Tips](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/crime-prevention-tips)
- [Security Systems for Schools](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-systems-for-schools)
- [CCTV Versus Sonavision](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv-versus-sonavision)
- [School Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/school-security)
- [Security for Pharmacies](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-pharmacies)
- [Security for Warehouses & Manufacturing](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-warehouses-manufacturing)
- [Fenced Compounds](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/fenced-compounds)
- [Government Building Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/government-building-security)
- [Business Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/business-security)
- [Keyless Entry](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/keyless-entry)
- [Police Response Times](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/police-response-times)
- [Professional Office Seccurity](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/professional-office-seccurity)
- [Security for Place of Worship](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-place-of-worship)
- [SonaVision](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/sonavision)
- [Automotive](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/automotive)
- [Dealerships](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/dealerships)
- [Keyless Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/keyless-access-control)
- [Retail](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/retail)
- [Verified Reponse](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-reponse)
- [Copper Theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/copper-theft)
- [Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/surveillance)
- [Workplace security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/workplace-security)
- [vandalism](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/vandalism)
- [Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/access-control)
- [Audio Intrusion](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/audio-intrusion)
- [Equipment](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/equipment)
- [Financial Institutions](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/financial-institutions)
- [Legal Marijuana Grow-Op Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/legal-marijuana-grow-op-security)
- [Offices](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/offices)
- [Place of Worship](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/place-of-worship)
- [commercial security audit](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/commercial-security-audit)
- [Cannabis Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cannabis-security)
- [Church](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/church)
- [Criminal Apprehension](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/criminal-apprehension)
- [Guaranteed Commercial Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/guaranteed-commercial-security)
- [Restaurants](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/restaurants)
- [employee theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/employee-theft)
- [Construction](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/construction)
- [False Alarm Permits](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/false-alarm-permits)
- [Fraud](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/fraud)
- [Government Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/government-security)
- [Technology](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/technology)
- [criminal captures](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/criminal-captures)
- [education](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/education)

# How Municipalities Can Secure Public Buildings

![Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Website/Images/joe-blog-avatar.png?width=50&height=50&name=joe-blog-avatar.png)

 by [Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/author/joe-wilson)

June 28, 2022

![Municipal Security social](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Municipal%20Security%20social.png?width=1200&name=Municipal%20Security%20social.png)City owned buildings that are open to the public have a high risk of certain types of crime including vandalism. Protecting government buildings is a priority for a number of reasons, and this includes protecting the public, information and staff, as well as ensuring continuity of government services. 

So what are some of the important security considerations to protect your public building? 

[![25 Misconceptions about commercial security systems eBook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/325814/1e89a77a-ffa6-41b0-a344-42aa12d284e3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/325814/1e89a77a-ffa6-41b0-a344-42aa12d284e3)

**#1 - Control Entry**

Because people are constantly coming and going, it can be hard to spot a suspicious person who is there to steal, vandalize, commit arson or another crime. As such, more thought needs to go into how the public enter the building and where they can go. 

Vetting the public through a triage or assistant can help reduce unique challenges associated with public access. Layer this with controlled access and you can easily limit the flow of people to certain areas of your buildings. 

Access control uses electronic locks, access cards, badges, fobs and top of the line readers, to track and restrict who goes where and when. It also gives you more oversight into your facility's activity.

As an added bonus, access can be easily updated, allowing you to temporarily allow vendors on-site and quickly shut down access to disgruntled employees or visitors.

**#2 - Secure Data **

Your building is full of important data related to citizens, buildings and other areas of your city. While there are services that people need access to within your facility, that doesn’t mean it should be easy to get into every space. 

Ensure rooms that hold servers and paper documents have been properly secured with controlled access. Minimize the number of staff members who have access to those who really need it and ensure any visitor is either accompanied or has the information brought to them in a private and secure room. 

**#3 - Increase Security After Hours **

It is important to have effective systems in place to protect your building outside of operating hours. This includes extending controlled access to main entries so that the building can be secured and closed to the public overnight. You’ll also want to install a fully  monitored security system like Sonavision to ensure criminals are caught if a crime does occur after hours. 

**#4 - Install Panic Buttons**

In the case of an emergency during operating hours or any time staff members are working late, panic buttons will allow your team to instantly alert a security monitoring company to help protect your team from harm.

Panic buttons should be strategically placed throughout your organization in hidden places that are easily reached by your employees. While the best places vary from one business to another, they are generally most effective in areas that are considered the front lines of your business - such as customer service or reception.

**#5 - Upgrade Your Surveillance System**

Many public buildings use conventional CCTV cameras. While some of these cameras are monitored by on-site security, most of these systems don’t have professional oversight and are simply used to record what is happening.

Verified alarms, on the other hand, use remote security monitoring to stop criminals from getting away with damaging crimes.

Once an alarm is activated via audio detection or heat/motion sensors, a live stream is broadcast to a remote monitoring station where a security professional is then able to either verify that the alarm is indeed an intrusion or if it’s a false alarm.

If the alarm is false, security professionals will not call the police. If it is more serious than that, the security professional will verify the intrusion and notify both the police and the manager of your building immediately.

The security professional will then provide real-time information to the police, minimizing response times and increasing the rate of apprehension to better protect your employees and property.

For more information on how Sonitrol Western Canada can help protect public buildings from crime with a fully integrated security system, [contact us today](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/contact-sonitrol-western-canada).

[![Myths about alarms and security companies](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/325814/11fb88e7-5c34-439a-86b3-88fb54afdbfc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/325814/11fb88e7-5c34-439a-86b3-88fb54afdbfc)

**Tags: **

[Professional Office Seccurity, ](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/professional-office-seccurity) [Government Building Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/government-building-security)

![Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Website/Images/joe-blog-avatar.png?width=50&height=50&name=joe-blog-avatar.png)

Post by [Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/author/joe-wilson)  
 June 28, 2022

 We provide our customers with the best commercial security solutions and quality service backed by our unique Guarantee and Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!

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