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Karen Kingsley

Guide to Crime Prevention

Plan ahead for your protection

By Karen Kingsley, Boss, Kingsley Ink

Crimes against small businesses tend to include employee theft, burglary, robbery, shoplifting and vandalism. These are crimes of opportunity, and the best way to prevent them is to perform a security audit immediately. Crime prevention involves three basic steps:
  1. Review your physical layout.
  2. Evaluate your hiring practices.
  3. Install and test security systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Check your building

Walk around the property and look for vulnerable areas. Consider fencing and make sure there's adequate lighting, especially in the parking lots. Install good locks, especially deadbolts. Also, put IDs on your expensive equipment.
I recommend: ADT, American Alarm and Brinks are all good sources for security systems.

Screen employees

Do background checks on employees. This involves checking references, drug testing, checking driving records and, if they work with money, doing credit checks.
I recommend: Intelius, National Background Screening and ADP perform pre-employment screening checks.

Train employees

Employee training is your first defense against theft, particularly if you operate a retail business. Teach employees what to look for and how to respond to risky situations.
I recommend: Belding Skills Development and Friedman Group provide retail training services.

Watch your money

Don't leave more cash than absolutely necessary exposed. Buy a fireproof and anchored safe, and use a locked cash box. Make bank deposits at different times each day. Keep your register in sight of the door if you operate a retail store so police and security patrols can see it.
I recommend: Sentry Group and Advance Safes are solid providers of safes for your business.

Find more crime prevention tips

Many local police departments have developed lists of crime prevention tips for small business.
I recommend: The Philadelphia Police Department offers a helpful and detailed set of crime prevention ideas for small business at its Web site. The city of North Miami Beach also has a good list of prevention tips.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Consider forming a local business watch group. Work with others to promote your mutual safety.
  • Ask your local police to audit your space and make suggestions for making it more secure.
  • A supportive work environment that fosters trust is proven to diminish employee theft.
  • Don't be a hero, and instruct your staff to do the same. The possible consequences are not worth the money.
  • Put your local police and security firms on speed dial of every phone in your business.

The official source of Crime Prevention is the Workplace Violence page at Business.com

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Recommended Solution Providers

Brink's: Security Services
Offers alarm systems in addition to armored vehicles.

ADT: Small Business Security
Helps provide a complete range of products and services tailored to small businesses.

SIBG: Security Products
Find everything you need to prevent crime for your small business.

American Alarm
Offers alarm systems with real-time monitoring.

National Background Screening
Provides employee screening, drug testing, and OSHA-compliant safety & training services.

ADP: Pre-Employment Screening
Offers background screening and HR outsourcing solutions.

Sentry Safe
Provides fire resistant storage safes.

Centurion Safes
Sells both electronic and combination safes.

Intelius: Background Verification
Screens employees and tenants for accurate information.

Best Sites to Learn More

NCPC: Nation Crime Prevention
Get information, links and articles on many different topics to curtail crime in your small business.

Governor's Crime Commision: Business Crime Prevention
Get tips on what to do to prevent crime and see a basic guide to crime prevention for your small business.

ICC : Commercial Crime Prevention Services
News, trends, and useful tips dealing with commercial crime.

Secure Your Stuff: Business Security Tips
Provides an array of guidelines and tips to many different risks that a business can face.

Best Blogs and Forums

Safety Enforcement: Crime Information and Prevention Blog
Latest information on crime, crime statistics, and anti-crimes tactics.



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