About the Client
Laconia State School is a 200-acre property owned by the State of New Hampshire located in the northwest quarter of the City of Laconia in the Lakes Region. Originally opened in 1903 as the New Hampshire School for the Feeble-Minded, the institution operated for nearly a century before closing in 1991. Following its closure, the property was repurposed as the Lakes Region Facility, a state correctional facility, which operated until 2009. Since its closure, the property has remained vacant and unmaintained. The significant site, with its scenic location overlooking the surrounding landscape, represents valuable state-owned real estate that the State of New Hampshire has been working to divest through a redevelopment process aimed at fostering economic development and productive reuse.
The Challenge
After years of abandonment, the Laconia State School property became vulnerable to persistent unauthorized activity and deterioration. The vacant site experienced recurring trespassing incidents, with individuals regularly gaining unauthorized entry into the many buildings that dotted the 200-acre campus. Unauthorized encampments had formed both inside buildings and on the grounds, creating safety hazards and unsanitary conditions. The property suffered ongoing property damage, including vandalism to remaining structures, and theft of building materials and equipment. These security issues compounded the physical decay of the already-neglected site, further compromising its condition and marketability as the State pursued its sale to a developer for economic redevelopment.
- Trespassing into vacant buildings
- Encampments inside buildings and on the grounds
- Vandalism and theft of materials and equipment
The Security Plan
American Alliance Security implemented an initial security strategy using randomly scheduled two-hour patrols designed to create an unpredictable security presence across the expansive property. As the security team monitored conditions and assessed ongoing concerns, it became clear that the sporadic patrol approach was insufficient to adequately control the persistent unauthorized activity. In response to this assessment, American Alliance Security adjusted its strategy, shifting to extended coverage from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., providing a longer, more consistent security presence during the evening and overnight hours when most unauthorized activity occurred.
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Random two-hour patrols
An unpredictable presence across the 200-acre property.
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Ongoing assessment
Conditions monitored to judge whether coverage was enough.
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6 p.m. to 6 a.m. coverage
A consistent overnight presence during peak activity hours.
The Result
The initial two-hour patrols established a security presence and demonstrated the value of active monitoring, but the ongoing trespassing, encampments, and property damage indicated that more comprehensive coverage was necessary. The transition to 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. overnight coverage proved more effective, providing the property with consistent after-hours oversight during the peak hours of unauthorized activity. American Alliance Security’s extended presence helped bring greater order and control to the site, significantly reduced unauthorized entry and encampment activity, and protected the property’s condition and structural integrity as it moved through the redevelopment and sale process, preserving its value for future development.
- Consistent after-hours oversight
- Unauthorized entry significantly reduced
- Encampment activity significantly reduced
- Property protected through redevelopment and sale
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