March in Memphis means the weather is warming up, the trees along Poplar Avenue are starting to bud, and if you run a business in Shelby County, it’s time to start thinking about what that warmer weather brings with it.
Every year, Memphis sees a measurable uptick in property crime as temperatures climb out of the 30s and 40s and into the 60s and 70s. Spring break adds another layer. Shelby County Schools and the suburban districts all release students for a week or two in March, and that increase in daytime foot traffic, combined with warmer nights, creates conditions that property crime thrives in.
This isn’t speculation. It’s a pattern that shows up in MPD’s data year after year. January and February, when Memphis gets its coldest weather, tend to produce the lowest monthly crime numbers. March and April start the climb. By summer, the numbers peak. If you’re not adjusting your security posture for that seasonal shift, you’re essentially leaving the same plan in place for two different threat environments.
What Changes in Spring
The most immediate change is activity hours. In December and January, darkness falls by 5 p.m. and the cold keeps people indoors. By late March, you’ve got daylight until 7 p.m. and temperatures in the 60s that bring people outside. More people on the street means more potential witnesses, which should theoretically deter crime. In practice, it also means more potential offenders are out and about.
Parking lot crime picks up as the weather breaks. Vehicle break-ins at shopping centers, trailheads, and church lots increase when the nice weather draws people out for longer periods. A car sitting in a parking lot at Shelby Farms or Overton Park while the owner is on a two-hour walk is an easier target in March than it was in January, when the same walk would have taken 30 minutes.
Vandalism and juvenile-related offenses tend to spike during spring break week specifically. When school’s out and unsupervised teenagers have free time, certain types of property crime go up. This isn’t unique to Memphis. It’s a pattern that plays out in every major city. The difference in Memphis is that the baseline crime rate is already high enough that even a modest seasonal increase is noticeable.
Construction sites remain vulnerable year-round, but the spring building season means more active sites across the metro area. New projects going up along Union Avenue, in the Medical District, and in the Crosstown area all represent theft targets. Copper, power tools, and heavy equipment are the usual targets. A site that’s busy during the day becomes a shopping mall for thieves after hours if it isn’t secured properly.
Adjusting Your Security Plan
If your business operates on the same security schedule year-round, you’re probably underprotected in spring and summer and overprotected in winter. That’s an inefficient use of money.
The simplest adjustment is extending guard coverage hours to match the longer days. If your overnight security shift runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in winter, consider shifting it to 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and adding a late-afternoon presence during the transition hours when the property is still active. The early evening period between 5 and 8 p.m. is when a lot of parking lot crime occurs, and having a visible guard presence during those hours can change the math for an opportunistic thief.
Camera system maintenance is worth doing in March before you need the footage in April. Check that all cameras are recording. Clean the lenses. Verify that the DVR or NVR has enough storage capacity and that the backup schedule is working. A camera that stopped recording three weeks ago because the hard drive was full is worse than no camera at all, because it gives you a false sense of security.
Lighting is another seasonal item. The parking lot that was lit adequately in January might have different shadow patterns in March as the sun angle changes and trees leaf out. Walk your property at dusk and look for dark spots that weren’t there during the winter months. An LED fixture or two in the right location can eliminate a hiding spot that a thief would use.
Access control deserves a fresh look in spring too. Doors that were kept locked in winter might get propped open when the weather turns nice. Employees who smoke step outside and wedge a fire door. Tenants leave loading dock doors open to get a breeze. Every propped door is a hole in your access control plan.
The Staffing Reality
As we’ve discussed in earlier articles, Memphis security companies are dealing with a tight labor market. If you’re planning to add guard hours or expand your security coverage for the spring and summer months, start the conversation with your provider now.
Armed guard positions take weeks to fill because of the TDCI licensing pipeline. Even unarmed positions need time for training, background checks, and site-specific orientation. A property manager who calls in late April asking for three additional guards by May 1 is likely to be disappointed.
The companies that handle seasonal demand best are the ones that maintain a larger roster and can shift hours between accounts. If your current provider can’t accommodate a seasonal increase, get quotes from other firms before you need them. Waiting until after the first incident to start shopping for security is the most expensive way to solve the problem.
Specific Recommendations by Property Type
Retail: Add visible guard presence during peak shopping hours on weekends. Position guards near entrances and parking lot areas with limited sightlines. Spring merchandise displays that extend outside the building need monitoring.
Office buildings: Review visitor management procedures. Spring brings more foot traffic from delivery drivers, maintenance contractors, and vendors. Make sure your guard team knows the protocol for verifying visitors and managing temporary access.
Apartment complexes: Pool areas opening for the season need rules enforcement from day one. Unauthorized pool access, noise complaints, and parking disputes all increase in warmer months. A guard who handles the first violation consistently sets the tone for the season.
Construction sites: Fence the perimeter. Lock tool storage containers. Consider overnight guard service or at minimum a patrol check during the hours when the crew isn’t on site. GPS tracking devices on heavy equipment are relatively cheap insurance against theft.
Houses of worship: Sunday morning services are well-attended in spring, and many churches host additional events during Lent and Easter. If your church has a security team or hires guards for services, make sure they’re prepared for the increased attendance and activity.
A Quick Note on the News
Tennessee confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus today in Williamson County, near Nashville. It’s a single case at this point, and the immediate public health response is being handled by the Tennessee Department of Health. I’m watching this closely and will cover any implications for the security industry if the situation develops further. For now, the practical advice for Memphis businesses remains focused on the seasonal security adjustments I’ve outlined above.
Getting Ahead of the Curve
The businesses that handle the spring transition well are the ones that treat it as a planned event rather than something that catches them off guard. Review your security setup this week. Talk to your provider about seasonal adjustments. Walk your property at different times of day and note what’s changed since winter.
Memphis has a predictable seasonal crime pattern. The data backs it up year after year. The businesses that align their security spending with that pattern protect their assets more effectively and spend their money more efficiently. The ones that don’t end up reacting to problems instead of preventing them.
Spring is coming to Memphis. Make sure your security plan knows it.