Burglary and robbery are two of the most common criminal activities to impact small businesses. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) created a list of crime prevention tips for small businesses. This list is divided into four sections that include the foundation of prevention, burglary prevention, robbery prevention, and vandalism.
These security tips can also be applied to shopping centers and other commercial properties.
Crime Prevention Foundation
When a business is victimized by violent crime, a normal reaction is to change its hours of operation, increase prices to cover losses, relocate to a new place, or close the business. It’s important for business managers and property owners to look at the physical layout of the business and property. A third-party security specialist may be brought in to assess the vulnerability of a site.
Staying organized could also help in dealing with the aftermath of stolen property. Much like cloud storage is used to save video evidence, important, up-to-date records should have back-up copies stored off the premises. If thieves manage to steal any important documentation, a business can easily obtain information for the police and insurance companies.
Education is an overlooked security solution. Businesses can provide security procedure training for all employees, including cleaning and maintenance staff. Once that has been completed, employers should establish and enforce business practices that are easy to understand. Criminals who target businesses and commercial properties are looking for an opportunity. Inadequate crime prevention initiatives and activity give them the chance to cause serious damage.
Another way to increase your crime prevention foundation is to install adequate locks, safes, and alarm/monitoring systems. There is an ongoing increase of businesses enlisting the help of private security firms and local police to protect commercial sites. Live remote video surveillance is a proven method of deterring crime. Trained operators can identify suspicious behavior and alert the police before a theft occurs or any damage is done.
Consider your crime prevention initiative costs as potential savings from loss reduction.
ECAM is the leader in live video surveillance in the U.S. and Canada with over 400 employees, 11 offices, and 3 live video monitoring control centers. Stealth proactive video monitoring watches over 17,000 IP and CCTV security cameras. Our security solutions feature advanced technology and can detect and deter crime while reducing security guard and other expenses. ECAM’s remote monitoring service can reduce or even replace security guards at a fraction of the cost. A remote surveillance operator can see suspicious activity, activate a speaker warning, and call the local police.
Please call toll-free (866) 382-3873 or contact Stealth today for more information. Visit the Stealth web site to see real videos of criminals being arrested at construction sites, multifamily apartments, shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, auto dealerships, and other commercial real estate properties.
