Challenge:
Waters Retail Group’s Fairfield Place stores were facing escalating losses from organized retail crime, while the West Whiteland Police Department handled a constant stream of incident calls. The parking lot’s photocell-controlled lights shut off during the day, meaning WRG couldn’t simply tap into the existing infrastructure to power cameras, making a traditional security setup costly and inefficient.
Solution:
Gridless’ battery system seamlessly taps into existing infrastructure to deliver uninterrupted, reliable power and connectivity to security cameras for LPR, perfect for shopping center entrances and exits, accelerating investigations and deterring crime without costly power upgrades.
Behind the Scenes: Building a Safer Shopping Center
Waters Retail Group (WRG) is a multi-state commercial real estate company that values their strong relationships with property owners, tenants, and neighbors, always putting people first. Their Fairfield Place shopping center in Exton, PA, home to several major retailers, has faced growing challenges with retail theft, especially organized retail crime (ORC). Recognizing the scale of the problem, WRG worked closely with the West Whiteland Police Department, whose proactive approach and community partnerships have been critical in identifying solutions and keeping the shopping center safe.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 76% of retailers say ORC has become more of a concern in the past year.
The West Whiteland PD, which oversees the large and diverse community, works closely with local businesses to protect the township and support its vibrant retail economy. Detective Sergeant Jeff McCloskey of the West Whiteland PD and Brittany Mackrides, Commercial Property Manager for Waters Retail Group, teamed up to find a surefire way to protect Fairfield Place and keep the shopping center safe and welcoming for all.
When Organized Retail Crime Strikes: The Growing Threat
WRG’s Fairfield Place shopping center was grappling with a serious and growing problem: escalating losses caused by ORC. These highly coordinated thefts not only threatened the profitability of major retailers, but also undermined the sense of safety for shoppers and staff alike.
To help with loss prevention and shopper safety, WRG wanted to bring more robust security to their parking lots, particularly entrances and exits. With phone calls related to issues across the property pouring in daily, they were working regularly with the West Whiteland PD to combat the crime.
Bright Ideas: How Gridless Made It Work
The West Whiteland PD was introduced to Gridless at a conference and their interest piqued right away. They had some cameras in place that were costing them an exorbitant amount of money on a recurring basis, and they were looking for a more flexible solution that didn’t break the bank.
To implement cameras throughout the shopping center, the PD and WRG initially thought they would need to do complex and costly electrical work to bring constant power to the poles in the parking lots. The available infrastructure at Fairfield Place relied on photocell sensors that automatically powered up the lights at night, but not during daylight hours, precisely when reliable power was most critical to effective surveillance and crime prevention.
Gridless battery kits were the perfect solution. The system easily taps into existing power, accepting a multitude of different voltages, saving WRG from having to run dedicated electrical circuits to all their poles. With Gridless, they were able to take complete advantage of their existing infrastructure.
Gridless’ smart battery technology runs all day without draining to empty, helping extend battery life and avoid degradation. It then quickly recharges overnight, ensuring it’s ready to perform at its best from the first light of morning until the streetlights turn back on at night.
Going with the Gridless solution saved the WRG complex approximately two-thirds of the cost they would have incurred from the alternative extensive electrical work needed.
The Ultimate Advantage: License Plate Readers in Action
Shortly after WRG implemented the Gridless system, the West Whiteland PD was able to dismantle a theft ring targeting major retailers. When an Ulta store within the shopping center reported a major theft, the police quickly accessed License Plate Reader (LPR) information captured by Axis Communications LPR capable cameras powered by the Gridless system.
“With every entrance and exit we have covered with the Gridless system, we have solved crimes within an hour as opposed to days or weeks.”
Jeff McCloskey, Detective Sergeant at West Whiteland Police Department
The real-time data enabled officers to identify and locate the fleeing vehicle almost immediately. Within hours, the police apprehended three women found in possession of approximately $20,000 worth of stolen merchandise from multiple retailers across three counties. This effectively stopped the crime ring and led to the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen goods, including items from DSW, Kohl’s, and Macy’s, as reported by Philadelphia 6abc Action News.
A Community United Against Crime
The partnership between Waters Retail Group and the West Whiteland PD truly showcases how a collaborative community approach to security can really make an impact.
“It’s been beneficial for us, the police department, and our tenants. It has kept theft down. It makes the shopping center feel safer. It’s definitely worth the investment.”
Brittany Mackrides, Commercial Property Manager at Waters Retail Group
Both the PD and WRG plan to expand the Gridless system to more of their vulnerable locations. “The process with Gridless was seamless. Communication, planning, and installation – from start to finish, everything was great,” said Detective McCloskey when asked about his experience. “The knowledge, support, and responsiveness we get from Gridless is 5 stars.”
The PD has deployed Gridless units across their parks system, and has plans with WRG to expand to additional shopping centers. “We started with the license plate readers, and now we’re considering context cameras throughout the shopping center, too. I think it’s extremely beneficial,” said Brittany. After seeing how well the cameras worked for LPR, they realized adding general surveillance cameras would also be useful, and with Gridless, they now have a system that makes it easy to place cameras wherever they’re needed.
Want to learn more about why property management groups and PDs go Gridless? Book a demo today and see firsthand how our system can protect your properties and streamline security.
