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8 Tips to Make Your Business Less Appealing to Crime

Source: The Murphy Insurance Group

1. Criminals don't want to be seen. Keep the area lit and avoid places where criminals can hide (like overgrown bushes). Leave night lights on so police can see in when no one is supposed to be inside.
2. Consider Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance. Digital systems are getting less costly to install and have better resolution than the old grainy VHS units. More than one criminal has been caught by having their face or get away vehicle recognized on the 6:00 news.
3. Limit cash in registers by making periodic random drops into a drop safe or other secure location. Publicize the fact that employees cannot open safe.
4. Don't invite theft by leaving car doors open and encourage employees, visitors and customers to keep valuables out of sight. Smash and grab type thefts of that portable GPS might not even be above the deductible, but they can scare off good customers and invite repeat business by the wrong type of patron.
5. Have employees keep their laptops, purses and other high theft items in their possession. We would all like to believe our coworkers are ethical people and most are, but if a $20 bill turns up missing from your purse, there will be suspicion of those around you.
6. Maintain periodic inventory checks and have the books audited. Employee dishonesty can be the most costly type of crime a business will experience. Conducting background checks will also help, but not all problems can be forecasted by looking in the past.
7. If you have to travel into high crime areas, donÕt allow yourself to wind up in dangerous situations. Your vehicle and a cell phone might be your best defenses. Get a call back number and ask to have a light left on or for someone to meet you at the curb.
8. If you are held up, donÕt resist. Your wellbeing is the most important thing.