KEEPING YOUR BUSINESS SAFE

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KEEPING YOUR BUSINESS SAFE
Burglaries are a main source of losses for
business owners. Regardless of location, your
business may be vulnerable.
Created by Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office
District III Detective Bureau
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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
Good interior and exterior lighting is one of the
most important deterrents against crime.

• Illuminate all doors, windows and even the
  roof. (all shadowed areas)

• Lights should shine directly on to the
  openings. (interior lighting is just
• as important)

• Protect lighting from breakage, inspect
  regularly and replace damaged or burned out bulbs
  promptly.

• Keep valuable merchandise illuminated, but
  away from display windows
• where they can be a target for smash and grabs.

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
VISIBILITY
The name and address of your business should be
clearly visible from the street. Use large,
reflectorized numbers and letters. Make sure the
front of your business is not covered with
banners, signs or other advertisements that limit
visibility in and out of the structure. Keep
purses and personal valuables locked in desk or
lockers. Stay alert! Know who is in your
business and where they are. Watch for people who
hang around without buying anything. Also, be
aware of suspicious activity outside your place
of business. Write down license numbers of
suspicious vehicles if possible.
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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
IMPORTANT TIPS

• Locate check-out counters near the front of the
  store, clearly visible from the outside so that
  employees can better watch activities and a
  burglars activities would be visible from the
  outside. Cash register should also be secured to
  the counter top.
• Clearly mark public paths. Make private areas
  harder for non-employees to access. Use signs to
  direct patrons to parking and entrances.A
  friendly greeting and eye contact goes a long way
  to reducing crime and improving customer
  relations.
• Use interior shelving and displays no higher
  than five feet, even lower in front of windows.
• When closing business , empty your cash drawer
  and leave it open so a burglar wont be tempted
  to see if there is something inside.
• Mirrors can be used to improve visibility in
  blind corners, high counters,hallways, etc. This
  can deter shoplifting and burglary.
• Consider posting a cash control policy at the
  front of the business (I.e., clerk cannot open
  safe).
• Do not allow large amounts of cash to accumulate
  in cash registers during business hours. Make
  regular deposits into a drop safe or similar
  device. Drop all large bills right away. Use only
  one register at night leaving all others empty
  and open.

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS

• All exterior doors should be constructed of
  steel, aluminum alloy or solid-core hardwood.
• Double doors should be secured with heavy-duty,
  multiple point, long flush bolts, the frame of
  the door must be as strong as the door.
• All exterior door latches should be anti-shim,
  dead-locking type.
• Outside hinges should have non-removable hinge
  pins.
• Double cylinder locks are recommended where
  glass is within 40 of the locking mechanism.
• A door chime, bell enunciator can be installed
  to alert you when someone enters or leaves.
• Employees should be directed to use one main
  entrance. This minimizes employee theft,
  unauthorized entry during regular hours, and
  doors being left ajar.
• Exterior swing doors should have a one-inch dead
  bolt with hardened steel or brass
  tapered-cylinder guard.

• All glass should be burglar-resistant. (great
  for hurricane protection as well) Mylar
  laminating window film is a less expensive
  alternative.
• To provide optimum window security install bars,
  grilles, grates or heavy-duty wire. Remember
  skylights, ventilation openings, air
  conditioning/heating ducts and crawl holes are an
  entry point for burglars. If these areas can not
  permanently secure, be sure they are protected by
  an alarm system.
• The most common assaults on padlocks are made
  with bolt cutters, quality padlocks are
  essential. Remember the better quality of the
  locking mechanism the better your chances of
  keeping criminals out.

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
EXTERIOR
LANDSCAPING Overgrown shrubbery, vehicles and
trash dumpsters near the building provide
excellent cover for burglars as well as an
excellent tool for climbing. Keeping trees and
shrubs trimmed away from windows and doors can
help minimize hiding places.

• MAINTAIN PROPERTY
• A run down business can attract criminals
• Keep building and walks clean and repaired.
• Prevent easy access to the roof from the ground
  by trimming trees adjacent to the building and
  removing objects or debris that can be stacked.
• Secure roof access and fire escape ladders with
  locking covers.

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
ALARM and VIDEO MONITORING SYSTEMS

• Criminals are less likely to select a business
  with these types of systems. There are many types
  of alarms and video monitoring systems however
  NONE work if they are not activated or
  maintained. The following are some helpful tips
• Have a fail safe battery backup.
• Cameras need to be well placed and well
  maintained.
• Lighting should be considered when placing
  cameras.
• Tapes need to be changed regularly to maintain
  clarity.
• Prominently advertise that you have a system
  with decals and signs.
• A good quality camera. (if the picture is not
  clear the camera does no good)
• Employees need to be trained on and made aware
  of the importance of the system.
• Alarm codes and other passwords need to be
  changed when an employee leaves.
• Remember if the system is not turned on or in
  proper working condition,
• YOU DONT HAVE A SYSTEM!

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
IMPORTANT TIPS

• Cash - Do not keep large amounts of cash inside
  the business. Cash and other valuables should be
  stored in a safe that is secure to the structure.
  Vary times and routes of travel to the bank for
  deposits and dont advertise whats in the bag.
• Height marker strips - small plastic strips can
  be mounted on the door frames of all exits. They
  help employees and cameras determine the height
  of a criminal when he/she leaves the building.
• Key Control Limit access to sensitive areas.
  Place keys in the care of your most trusted
  employees. Engrave do not duplicate on all
  keys, and keep an accurate log of who the keys
  are issued to. If an employee quits or is
  terminated, it is imperative that the locks be
  re-keyed.
• Opening and or Closing If possible use two or
  more employees during this time. Whenever
  possible a visual perimeter check should be
  completed as you arrive and leave.(driving around
  the building), and a physical check of all
  openings to make sure they are properly secured
  along with a check of the security system.Be
  cautious when cleaning the parking lot or taking
  out the trash at night. Have someone keep you in
  eye contact while you are while you are involved
  in work details.
• Operation Identification All property inside
  your business including office machinery and
  personal belongings, should be inventoried and
  identified. All serial and model numbers stored
  in a safe place off business site.
• Tools and equipment - In addition to their
  potential theft, unsecured they can be utilized
  by a thief to knock down doors, open a safe or
  gain entry to your security room or cabinets.

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Anchor safes in concrete, and make sure they
have combination locks. Select a safe based on
the values to be protected. A higher level of
protection should be chosen for high value
merchandise or large amounts of money. By
anchoring a safe in a well-lit area, theres a
better chance burglars would be noticed if they
tried to open or remove the safe. When empty
leave open.
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You may post no trespassing or Loitering signs
to discourage transients, loiterers and potential
criminals from hanging around your business.
Burglars choose targets that are easily
accessible Reduce vulnerability by hardening
the target. Protect your business by making it
uninviting and harder to gain entry and remember
every opening in your building is a potential
point of illegal entry
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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS UNINVITING TO INTRUDERS
Businesses in the same area can form a Business
Crime Watch
Work as a team to prevent and reduce crime.
Periodic meetings can be held to address common
issues, criminal activity, learn about different
crime prevention topics and techniques, improve
business communication, etc. Contact Palm Beach
County Sheriffs Office Community Policing Unit
at [phone], if you are interested in
starting a business crime watch in your area.
BUSINESS CRIME WATCH
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• If a burglary does occur, do not enter the
  building! Remember a burglar may still be inside.
  
• Call the police department from a safe location
  and wait for officers to arrive to check the
  business.
• Do not open your business. Employees and
  customers can destroy valuable evidence.
• Call Police immediately!
• The chances of apprehending the subject are
  greatly increased if the scene is left completely
  intact . Microscopic evidence may be vital and
  should be protected.
• REMEMBER EVERY BUSINESS OWNER, MANAGER AND
  EMPLOYEE PLAYS A IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING
  BUSINESSES SAFE.