Commercial
security facts...
- Over half of
commercial burglaries occur after dark.
- Over one third
of inventory loss occurs as a result of shoplifting.
- A commercial
robbery occurs once every five minutes in the U.S.
- Experts believe
businesses lose more to employee theft than to burglary, robbery and
shoplifting combined.
- It is estimated
that one-third of all employees are stealing from their employers.
Prevent
shoplifting...
- Alert employees
are the best defense. Educate employees on what to look for and what
to do.
- Instruct floor
personnel to make frequent eye contact with customers.
- Instruct employees
to acknowledge each customer who enters their department.
- Assign zones
for staff coverage.
- High visibility
discourages shoplifters. Keep displays and counters low. Mount
mirrors in corners and isles.
- Use turnstiles
and checkout counters to prevent direct routes to an exit.
- Place expensive
items in the center of the store away from exits.
- Arrange displays
so that missing items are easily noticed.
- Fasten expensive
merchandise and attach alarms.
- Reverse alternate
hangers of hanging garments to prevent grab and runs.
- Announce and
observe a policy to prosecute shoplifters.
- Be on the lookout
for bulky clothing, open packages, bags, backpacks, purses, hollowed-out
books, fake casts, umbrellas, secret pockets, belts or hooks under
coats, folded newspapers or magazines.
- Be aware of customer's
hands and watch for customers who are nervous, have wandering eyes,
are loitering or lingering in hidden areas.
- Watch groups
of people, especially if a person tries to distract you.
- Install an enunciator
on entrances to alert you that a customer has entered.
- Don’t criticize
employees who may be over-cautious.
- Install video
surveillance or a CCTV security system for deterrence and evidence.
Prevent
theft...
- Screen employees
carefully before hiring them.
- Practice frequent,
thorough inventory control.
- Limit employees
access to stock and inventory records.
- Periodically
check trash bins, nooks and crannies.
- Require receiving
doors to be closed immediately following a delivery.
- Accept only one
freight delivery at a time.
- Conduct unexpected
inventory checks.
- Don’t allow
employees to ring up for themselves or relatives.
- Never allow employees
to work with an open cash drawer.
- Keep a record
of who has keys and the dates they were given out and returned.
- Re-key locks
if you have high employee turnover.
- Limit access
to keys which disarm fire exits and security crash bar alarms.
- Keep desks clean
and important records locked up.
- Make sure all
equipment is marked.
- Only authorize
a refund in the presence of the customer.
- Never allow the
same employee to ring it up, wrap the merchandise and ship it out
of the store.
- Require all receipts
to be given to customers.
- Keep perimeter
doors alarmed when the store is not open to customers.
- Provide "rules
of conduct" describing the risks and consequences involved in
dishonesty.
- Prohibit vendors
from entering any work areas unsupervised.
- Install video
surveillance or a CCTV security system for deterrence and evidence.
- Remotely
monitor your operations to deter theft, fraud and embezzlement.
Prevent
robbery...
- Lock unused doors.
- Avoid working
alone. If you must, turn on a hidden radio or TV to appear as if there
is someone with you.
- Only keep necessary
cash in the drawer.
- Vary the schedule
and route for your bank deposits each day.
- Get and use a
safe or a drop safe and advertise its use.
- Make sure your
cash register is clearly visible to passers-by.
- Don't open the
door until you are fully ready to do business.
- Don't count receipts
until you lock up.
- Avoid placing
signs or displays near windows which block visibility from the street.
- Make frequent
deposits and vary your deposit time and route.
- Count cash only
in a private area.
- If your business
runs an exceptionally high risk of robbery, invest in a bulletproof
cashier screen.
- Display signs
at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys
not in possession of employees.
- Advertise your
security alarm system with signs in visible locations.
- Install video
surveillance or a CCTV security system for deterrence and evidence.
- Develop a mutual
aid system among stores in your area.
- Have more than
one person open and close.
- Prepare a check-list
of closing and lock-up procedures for employees.
- Make it easy
for employees to call security for assistance by silent alarm, annunciator,
intercom or telephone.
Prevent
burglary and vandalism...
- Good building
security and home
security are very similar.
- Consider burglary
resistant glass in accessible areas.
- Consider razor-wire
to protect outside yards and compounds..
- Use case-hardened
steel or chains to secure gates etc.
- Make sure locks
are of sufficient gauge steel with multiple tumblers and custom keyed.
- Consider the
use of a guard dog.
- Use bolted or
shrouded hasps.
- Double lock whenever
possible.
- Check closets
and restrooms before you lock up.
- Leave cash registers
empty and open after hours.
- After hours,
light the interior of your business well enough that you could see
someone inside.
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