Security Considerations for Public Storage: Luxury Precautions for Securing Your Assets

Public storage facilities are everywhere, tucked behind shopping centers, just off major roads, or quietly situated near residential neighborhoods. For many homeowners, renters, or collectors, these spaces offer a convenient solution for storing seasonal décor, family heirlooms, or overflow from well-curated estates.

But behind the locked doors and climate-controlled aisles lies a question far too often overlooked: 

How secure are these spaces, really?

As a former property crimes detective, I’ve responded to countless storage facility burglaries. It was not uncommon to see 50 units effected in a single breach. Criminals, undeterred by location or appearance, would bypass sophisticated gate codes and use bolt cutters or power tools to slice through locks with little resistance. Under the cover of darkness or poor surveillance, they have uninterrupted hours to rummage through units, taking only the most valuable items, they can quickly resell.

The reality is simple: public storage facilities are not designed to protect luxury. If you’re storing valuable or sentimental items, proactive security measures are not optional, they are essential. Here are a few considerations for safeguarding your stored belongings:

1. Vet the Facility with Intention

Before signing a lease, ask detailed questions about the property’s access controls, surveillance systems, and response procedures. Luxury requires proactive oversight (you should expect nothing less).

2. Invest in Smart Surveillance

Install a motion-activated camera inside your unit facing the door, ideally with two-way communication. The ability to speak directly to an intruder and let them know you have notified the authorities could make all the difference.

3. Use High-Security Cylinder Locks

Avoid standard padlocks. Cylinder locks are far more resistant to cutting and blunt force, providing another layer of defense against opportunistic thieves.

4. Properly Insure the Contents

Ensure your homeowners or renters insurance extends to stored goods (or purchase supplemental coverage). Assume nothing.

5. Maintain a Professional Inventory

Photograph and document every item inside your unit. High-resolution images and detailed descriptions dramatically increase your chances of recovery in the event of a loss. Unfortunately, for many, security becomes a priority only after a devastating loss. But true luxury is not reactive… it is intentional, refined, and rooted in foresight. The most discerning individuals understand that peace of mind is not a byproduct of fortune, but of preparation.

While public storage may serve a practical purpose, it should never become a blind spot in your protection strategy. With the right measures in place, your off-site assets can enjoy the same level of security and consideration as those within the walls of your home. Safeguard your legacy.

Protect your investments, even when they’re out of sight.