Source: Council on Criminal Justice
The statistics are sobering: Every four minutes, a commercial robbery is committed in the U.S. And the trauma associated with a robbery can be significant. Therefore, it's crucial to do everything you can to prevent a robbery from happening. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
Robbery Prevention Tips for Business
Have a robbery prevention plan
Having a robbery prevention plan in place can reduce your business's chance of being robbed, thus providing a level of protection for you and your employees. Have a written plan of action based on the assessed level of threat for your business type and location. Ask local law enforcement for their input. Review your prevention plan with all employees.
Be observant at all times
Instruct employees to remain vigilant and observant at all times. This may include:
- Watching for suspicious activity, vehicles, or persons—especially at opening and closing time—and note any physical disguises, visible tattoos, or other descriptive features
- Take note of persons wearing oversized, inappropriate clothing for the weather (e.g., a heavy, bulky coat in July)
- Consider having colored height marks at the exit doors—this provides an accurate estimate of a person's height
- If possible, have at least two employees open/close the business using the most visible entrance (avoid secluded back door/alley entrances)
- Ensure good visibility into the storefront/business entrance and provide adequate lighting; use convex mirrors inside to observe customers in areas where visibility is obstructed
- Work with nearby businesses to alert one another to suspicious activity
- Train employees on how to act in the event of a robbery—keeping calm and cooperating is often the best defense
- Install a door buzzer, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to increase your business’s security without interfering with the flow of traffic and it increases your employee’s awareness of when someone enters the business
Install a security camera system
Surveillance camera systems are a powerful tool in robbery prevention. Consider why:
- They act as a deterrent to theft—a criminal is less likely to commit a crime when they know they are being recorded
- Cameras can alert you to what is happening outside—on the street or in the parking lot—before a suspicious person even enters
- They provide high-quality, digital imagery of persons entering, exiting, moving within various zones, and can capture a crime in progress
Of note, do not use cheap dummy cameras—criminals are adept at spotting fakes. And be sure to mount cameras where they can't be reached or tampered with.
There are many camera systems to choose from to fit any budget. Camera systems can be linked to your phone, alerting you when motion or sound is detected, record to an SD card, a NVR, or the cloud. Outdoor cameras should be weatherproof and have night vision to see clearly in the dark.
Invest in a high-security burglar safe
A high-security burglar safe is designed to protect content valued between $30,000 and $1,500,000. Choose a safe with a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) rating of TL-15 to TL-30.
The AMSEC MAX1014 High Security UL Listed TL-15 Composite Safe is an excellent choice for a business safe. The door has an overall thickness of 5-3/4" and is constructed with a 2-3/4" defense barrier of outer and inner steel plates creating a single structure enclosing a unique, high-density fire and burglary resistant composite material.
Use a depository safe
Depository safes (aka drop safes/drop boxes) provide temporary cash protection and help you maintain minimal cash in registers. The Viking VS-48DS Large Depository Safe with Keypad Lock is a great affordable option with a deep drop slot with jagged teeth to prevent fishing attempts, a sealed solid steel body, and an electronic motorized locking system. The blue back-lit LCD keypad is easy to see in the dark.
So, don't wait until a robbery occurs—actively prepare now with a robbery prevention plan. Doing so can protect more than just your valuables; it may even save the lives of your employees and customers.
Our business safety professionals are happy to share our expertise in robbery prevention and products designed to keep you, your employees, and your business secure. Give us a call today at 800-207-2259.
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