A Wake-Up Call for Charleston Area Property Owners
On August 18, law enforcement in North Charleston arrested two suspects in connection with an attempted armed robbery at a commercial building along Rivers Avenue. The suspects reportedly smashed glass, attempted forced entry, and were thwarted in part due to alarm activation. For business owners and homeowners in the Charleston area, the message is clear: it’s not enough to rely on just locks and lights.
- Police make 2nd arrest in Aug. 18 attempted armed robbery
- North Charleston officers honored for quick arrest in September robbery case
Why This Incident Matters to You
- Commercial risk is real: Retail stores, offices, warehouses and mixed-use properties in North Charleston and nearby are prime targets for armed attacks and forced entry attempts. A coordinated effort by multiple suspects can easily overwhelm a basic security setup. Upgrade Your Business Security System Today
- Home security relevance: Even residential properties are at risk. The tactics used in commercial robberies—broken glass, multiple entry points, distraction techniques—are increasingly migrating into home burglary attempts as criminals apply “heavy‐hit” tactics. Beef Up Your Home Security System. Upgrade to a Smart Home Security System
- Response opportunity: The fact that this attempt was foiled suggests the building had some active deterrents or response mechanisms in place (e.g., alarm, monitoring). That underscores the difference between having a system and having a system that works when it matters.
- Liability implications: If your property is vulnerable, it’s not just a theft risk. There could be insurance consequences, reputational damage (for commercial landlords), and even occupant safety concerns.
Five Security Weaknesses to Address Immediately
- Glass doors and sidelights: These are often weak entry points. Reinforce with impact‐resistant glass, alarms, and cameras.
- Multiple entry/exit points: Warehouses and business properties often have many doors. Ensure each is monitored, locked and part of your alarm architecture.
- Alarm without monitoring = false sense of security: If your system triggers but no one responds, it may be as good as no system. Explore our Alarm Monitoring Systems
- Cameras alone are not enough: Cameras capture what happened—not always what is happening. Combine surveillance with live monitoring, deterrents (lights, motion detection) and access logs.
- Maintenance and testing: Security devices degrade. Batteries die, sensors fail, alarms aren’t tested. Schedule regular inspections and make sure everything is working.
How Charleston Security Systems Can Help
We specialize in both commercial and home security solutions across Charleston, SC and the surrounding area. Our services include:
- Risk assessment for buildings (including door/glass vulnerability, blind spots, perimeter security)
- Integrated solutions: camera systems, access control, alarms, monitoring
- 24/7 professional monitoring so when an incident occurs, someone is watching and reacting, not just you.
- Ongoing maintenance plans to keep devices, sensors and systems in optimal working order.
- Tailored solutions for homes and businesses—because the requirements differ (scale, access control, liability).
Stay Protected
The attempted robbery in North Charleston illustrates a tough lesson: criminals are bold, coordinated and opportunistic. Your security system must be capable of detection, deterrence, and response.
Contact Charleston Security Systems today to review your current setup. Let’s ensure your security system isn’t just installed—it’s operational, ready and reliable.
