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 Sheriff’s Office District III Detective Bureau
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”.
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.
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 won’t 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.
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.
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.
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 DON’T HAVE A SYSTEM!
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 don’t advertise what’s
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.
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, there’s a better chance
burglars would be noticed if they
tried to open or remove the safe.
When empty leave open.
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
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 Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Unit at
(561) 688-3000, if you are interested in starting a business crime watch in
your area.
BUSINESS CRIME WATCH
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.