Security teams explain how Trikke patrol vehicles help them cover massive retail centers faster and more efficiently
Simon Property Group operates some of the largest shopping destinations in the world, with a worldwide footprint of roughly 400 retail centers across 24 countries. Patrolling properties of that scale presents a constant challenge for security teams responsible for keeping shoppers, tenants, and parking areas safe.
Why large retail properties need better patrol mobility
Large shopping centers present a unique challenge for security teams.
Properties can span dozens of acres, contain multiple buildings, and attract thousands of visitors every day. Maintaining visibility, responding quickly to incidents, and patrolling massive parking areas often requires security patrol solutions that work better than traditional golf carts, vehicles, or foot patrol alone.
Across these large properties, security teams increasingly rely on modern mall security patrol vehicles to improve mobility, visibility, and response times.
Just two years go, Simon was using over 70 Trikke Positrons at roughly 50 properties. Today, more than 100 Positron patrol vehicles are deployed across roughly 70 Simon properties, helping security teams patrol large retail environments more efficiently without increasing staffing levels.
Here’s what three Simon property leaders say about the impact of Trikke patrol vehicles.
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Covering a 54-acre retail center more efficiently
At Round Rock Premium Outlets in Texas, security teams patrol a large open-air retail center spanning 54 acres and more than 431,000 square feet of retail space across nine buildings and several outlying businesses.
According to Jim Fulmer, operations director, upgrading patrol mobility significantly improved patrol operations.
“The Trikkes offer greater mobility in crowds and are easier for our security team to maneuver. Since putting them into service as the main means of patrolling in April 2024, we have cut fuel costs by at least 20%, respond to calls quicker, and cover 2–3 times more ground per shift.”
Fulmer says the increased mobility allows security officers to scan the property more frequently while maintaining a stronger visible presence for tenants and shoppers.
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Faster response across parking lots and public areas
At Tulsa Premium Outlets in Oklahoma, patrol operations are handled by Andy Frain Services, the professional security firm contracted to protect the Simon property.
Director of Public Safety Reggie Kimmons says the goal was simple: improve response times and coverage across large parking areas.
Before deploying Trikke patrol vehicles, the team was looking for a way to reach tenant stores faster and locate individuals in the parking field more efficiently.
According to Kimmons:
“The Trikke allows security to arrive at scenes quickly and patrol both the parking lots and the common areas.”
It also replaced other patrol vehicles, reducing gasoline costs by roughly $200 per month per unit and helping officers locate lost adults, children, and vehicles faster.
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Replacing older patrol platforms while improving visibility
At Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, CA, Trikke Positrons replaced older Segway patrol units.
Steve Davis, Operations Director, says the change improved both patrol coverage and operational efficiency.
“We’re able to cover more ground, patrol more often, and maintain a stronger visible presence throughout the center. Our officers say it’s easier to learn, more stable, and more enjoyable to operate.”
Just as important, Davis notes the security team can now do more without adding staff.
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A modern approach to patrolling large retail properties
For security teams responsible for protecting major retail destinations, the challenge is always the same: cover large properties, respond quickly, and maintain a visible presence with limited personnel.
That’s why many operators are exploring new approaches to mall security patrol vehicles and mobility tools designed specifically for large retail environments.
Simon’s’ growing deployment of Trikke patrol vehicles shows how modern mobility solutions can help security teams patrol large properties more efficiently, maintain visibility across crowded areas, and respond faster across expansive parking fields.
For malls, retail centers, and security teams responsible for protecting large commercial environments, that combination can make a measurable difference.
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Schedule a demo and see how the Trikke Positron performs in your security environment.
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