Burglary Prevention

Generally

To prevent burglaries from occurring, it is a good idea to follow a routine every time you close the business so you are sure to check everything, every time. Your routine should include locking the door while you are still inside, doing a thorough “walk-through” of the store, including restrooms, storage rooms, backrooms or break rooms and offices, checking windows are closed and locked, setting the alarm (if applicable), turning on/off lights or security lighting, and of course, locking the door.

Mark your property with the business’ names. Use an etching tool if possible. Record serial numbers from all computers and other electronic devices. This makes it difficult to resell if it is identifiable.

Remove merchandise from display windows at night. This will help deter “smash and grab” burglaries.

Leave the till drawer open on registers after the money has been removed. This helps to deter burglars and potential robbers if they see the drawer is empty. It can also save money. If a drawer is closed and a burglar breaks it open to see what is inside, you add the cost of repairing the register.

Alarms

Alarms should be installed by a licensed alarm company with a central monitoring service.

Check your alarm system daily to make sure it is functioning properly. Frequent false alarms occupy Police resources when they may need to respond to a legitimate alarm.

Notify your alarm company before performing periodic tests.

Alarms can be as simple as a perimeter alarm that signals when a door or window is opened, to glass-break alarms and motion sensor alarms. They can sound an audible alarm to alert neighbors or others in the vicinity or they can be silent and alarm only at the monitoring center.

Make sure the address of your business is clearly marked or there is proper signage to allow a quicker response by police.

Neighbors or other businesses in the area can provide informal surveillance and “sound” the alarm by calling police if they see something suspicious. Consider offering an incentive or reward for anyone who reports something suspicious that results in arrest and prosecution for a crime that would have affected your business.

Parking Lots and Exterior

Fencing, at least around the back and sides of your business forces would-be burglars and other potential criminals to enter and leave your property via the front of the building where they are more likely to be seen.

A good fence should be at least 8 feet tall and either made of chain link or, for a more aesthetically pleasing design, solid wood which is difficult to scale. It can be located around the perimeter of the property, assuming it is not very large, or around areas such as receiving and outside storage.

Entry and exit points from your property should be as limited as the amount of traffic your business gets allows. The more entrances and exits to a parking lot, the easier it is for a burglar to leave the property undetected.

Businesses that frequently have vehicles parked overnight should notify police of what vehicles belong in the lot. Tell overnight employees to park in a well lit part of the lot close to the business, but where it would be obvious if someone was loading merchandise into the vehicle.

If you do not allow overnight parking in your lot, post signs stating your policy. This will draw attention to anyone parked there at odd times. People loitering after hours may be “casing “your business.

Post signs encouraging employees and customers to lock their vehicles, even if they’re just “running in for a minute.” It takes very little time to open a car door and grab CDs or spare money.

Use cameras in parking lots. Advertise that they are in use, and install them in obvious locations.

Make sure the exterior of your business is well-lit. Any potential entrance point should be well lit. Direct the lighting towards the building so you do not make it difficult for passing vehicles to see the building. Dim lights only serve to give the burglar enough light to see what he is doing.

Lights should have tamper proof covers so they can not be broken or disabled.

Doors and Locks

Customer entrance and exit doors are often made of glass and aluminum. Glass in these doors should have a wire mesh in-lay or laminated to prevent them from being smashed.

Wood panel doors can be reinforced with a steel core.

Receiving doors should be made of steel, aluminum alloy or solid wood.

Door frames should be reinforced or poured with concrete to provide protection from being kicked in.

Use deadbolts with at least a 1-inch throw bolt, and a steel guard ring around the key section to prevent prying. Double cylinder deadbolts require key access on both sides and are useful near a window that can be broken.

The use of lock guards or metal plates that extend over the area of the bolt between the door and frame should be used on all rear doors.

On doors that swing out, outside hinges should have non-removable hinge pins. Consider switching to doors that swing in instead.

If a padlock is used to secure a door, then it should be case-hardened steel, with bolt-mounted hasps to prevent removal. Always keep it locked to prevent an offender from switching the lock when open.

Keep keys to all locks secure. Give keys only to those who need them and keep track of who has keys. Check regularly to make sure they have not been lost or stolen.

Use key systems whose keys can not be duplicated except by the installation company.

If a key has been lost or stolen, have the locks re-keyed immediately.

Windows

Windows should be designed to allow a clear view of the exterior, and allow a view of the interior from outside. They should not be cluttered with posters or advertisements. This allows a passing patrol car to see movement inside the building after hours.

Windows on the ground floor that may be accessible on foot should be made laminated glass, or should have wire in-lays or bars. Scroll-type shades are also available. These lock together when fully extended so nothing can be inserted between the slats to pry them up.

Window locks should be designed so they cannot be reached or unlocked from the outside if the glass is broken.

Consider installing glass-break alarms.

As you are closing, make a point to check all windows to see that they are secured.

Security Rooms, Offices and Safes

If your business has a security room or office where money or other valuables are kept, the lock on this door should be treated as a lock on the outside of the building. The lock should be of high quality and the keys given to as few people as possible.

If you have a safe, it should be bolted or anchored to the floor. Be aware that document safes are good for fire protection but not burglar proof, and most burglar-proof safes aren’t very good at protecting against fire. Purchase a safe that meets your needs.

Use your safe! When you secure the business for the night, make sure all money, checks, credit card information, extra keys or other sensitive information is locked in your safe. It is wise to keep your safe locked during the day as well, to discourage robbery or employee theft.

As few people as possible should know the combination to the safe(s). If you suspect that an unauthorized person has gained knowledge of the combination, see about purchasing a new safe. Employees who leak critical information such as this should be watched carefully as they might participate in an “inside job.”

Roof Access

There are a number of potential roof access points including vents, air conditioning units, skylights or roof hatches. Make sure these areas are covered by an alarm system, bars or grates.

Do not leave anything that could be used to gain access to your roof around. This includes ladders as well as large containers (dumpsters etc) than can be climbed up.

Do not leave your equipment unsecured outside. Burglars are just as happy to not have to risk breaking into your business to take items. They can also use these items to gain entry to your business.