SECURITY TIPS & MEASURES for BUSINESSES
Businesses can reduce their vulnerability to crime in many ways. Measures like locks, alarms, access control and good lighting can make any establishment a less attractive target for criminals. Community service and involvement are important safeguards against crime. Customers and neighbors who view a business as a valued resource to the community will watch out for its’ property and employees as well as adjacent businesses.
The following are some specifics that may apply to a business large or small and provide a good safety check on what may be necessary to ensure the safety of your business and employees. Research has suggested that criminals target businesses and/or their employees that appear vulnerable and typically relate to:
4) Internal theft or Shoplifting
5) Property damage and vandalism
Two primary areas for security measures for any business to address are: Physical Protection and Electronic Detection & Monitoring.
Physical Building Protection measures
Ensure all entrance ways including roof hatches are secured each night and locked. If a key-lock system is used, number all keys that are distributed among the business employees. Mark keys with a “Do Not Duplicate” tag.
Ensure both inside and outside lighting are adequate and provide light during the dark hours to areas most likely to be seen as an easy entrance to break into.
Remove valuable inventory visible through doorways and windows linked to outside when the business closes at night
Install an audible entrance device to alert when a guest or customer has entered the store or building. Do not unlock the door until you are ready to do business
Install shatter proof glass protection on windows and doors to delay smash and grab, and quick theft opportunities. Put a sticker on the window indicating it is protected by a security system.
If there is a burglary alarm, hide or cover the arming keypad visible through windows or doorway so the Criminal does not know if the system is disarmed. Clearly, install a burglar alarm system and arm it when one is away
If a non-retail business, ensure all guests sign-in at the Lobby or Front area prior to entering the facility.
Electronic Systems for Detection and Surveillance
Install an alarm system and ensure the devices detect any unauthorized entry to the building or business. Ensure all devices are positioned properly for function to reduce the potential for false alarms. Review your business premises and make certain all doors, windows, and unconventional entryways are covered. Burglars most often enter through doors and windows, but also through walls, over ceilings in adjacent tenant spaces, crawl spaces, roof hatches, skylights, etc.. Ensure these areas are covered with a device to detect any disturbances. Security systems today can also be used to perform tasks such as turning lights on and off. Actions such as this can create the allusion that one is in the building or business, thus be a deterrent to a criminal.
Seek out a security system that contains devices that have the ability to verify through sound (audio device) or sight (camera) that an intruder is in an unauthorized area. Verifying that a real crime is taking place will enhance the Police dispatch time and lower potential false alarms.
Sophisticated camera systems have the ability to detect unauthorized entry into designated areas and alert security companies for a Police dispatch.
We suggest locking entrances on a 24 hour basis and installing an access control system to unlock the doors electronically upon the presentation of a card, fob or biometric reader. Doors can be opened for guests and customers on a scheduled basis or through wireless devices held or located within reach of an employee. The benefit of the access controlled system allows the owner the ability to see who and when people are entering the business and to have the ability to detect suspicious behavior.
Panic / Emergency Duress are hard wired remote or wireless devices can be installed to send a 911 or panic alert in the case of a sudden or unexpected intrusion. These systems can be helpful during the day when the building system is disarmed or for exterior situations where a confrontation is in close proximity to the exterior of the building.
