The demand for board-up services to protect abandoned and foreclosed properties from vandalism has been on the increase during the current economic downturn. Finding plywood ineffective at preventing break-ins, city officials in such major U.S. cities as Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston are turning to a new steel reinforcement system, which has proven effective in preventing criminals from using vacant properties as launching pads for neighborhood crime.
The one-of-a-kind steel system is the product of Chicago-based Vacant Property Security (VPS), which recently awarded San Jose’s Airtronics Metal Products, Inc., with a contract to manufacture system components such as heavy-gauge steel doors, frames, and window screens. Airtronics, a full-service, one-stop precision sheet metal products company that was founded in Silicon Valley in 1961, provides standard and custom engineering, design, production, and value-added manufacturing services using the latest in CAD design, production equipment, and ERP systems.
Use Only What's Needed
The VPS solution is a rental system consisting of modular window guards, steel doors, and adjustable steel sheeting, which VPS technicians fit externally over property openings, eliminating leverage points where a thief could use a crowbar to break in. Perforations in the window screens allow light filtration and air circulation so contractors can work and buyers can move around comfortably inside. Keyless, digitally controlled doors provide owners with access control.
Property owners rent the system, paying only for as long as they need to protect their vacant property.
“Vacant Property Security offers the most effective system for protecting unoccupied properties, and we are proud to be a part of this solution,” said Jeff Burke, president and CEO of Airtronics. “We like the fact the system is green; all of the metal fittings are reusable, unlike plywood, which is discarded.”
“We have found working with Airtronics to be a very positive experience. Their sense of urgency, innovative approach to exceeding our specifications, and proactively solving problems is extraordinary,” said Timothy McMahon, VPS director of U.S. operations.