Prevent Commercial Business Burglary
Ninety percent of burglary prevention is physical security. If
your complex is locked up and unauthorized entry is made
difficult, time consuming, noisy, and visible, chances of
successful burglary are kept to a minimum. The burglar will pass
up your business and look for an easier target.
PREVENTION
LOCKS on all outside entrances and inside security doors should
be double cylinder deadbolts with moveable collars. The deadbolt
should have at least one inch throw containing a hardened steel
insert and protected by a latch guard.
PADLOCKS should be of hardened steel, mounted on bolted hasps
and always locked to prevent exchange. Serial numbers should be
filed off to prevent new keys from being made.
DOORS (all outside or security doors) should be of solid
construction, metal lined and secured with heavy metal
crossbars. Jams around doors must be solid. All exposed hinges
should be pinned to prevent removal.
WINDOWS should have secure locks. Burglar-resistant glass
treatments are also recommended. An example would be the
installation of plyester security film. However, this must be
used in conjunction with the alarm's glass break sensor. Heavy
metal grates may be used on windows of high vulnerability (such
as rear windows). Check with the Fire Marshall for safety
requirements.
LIGHTS must provide optimum visibility, both inside and out,
with those outside having vandal-proof covers over the lights
and power source. Entire perimeter must be well lit, especially
the area around doors and other possible entry points.
ALARM SYSTEM should be supplied by a licensed alarm company with
a central monitoring station. Check the alarm system on a daily
basis, and advertise its presence to deter break-ins.
CASH REGISTER should be kept in plain view from outside the
building so it can be easily monitored and should be left open
when empty and not in use.
SAFE should be fire proof, burglar resistant, anchored securely
and in plain view. Leave it open when it is empty, and use it to
lock up valuables when business is closed. Change the
combination whenever someone with access to it leaves your
employment.
BUILDING EXTERIOR should be checked including the roof, cellar,
and walls. Secure all openings.
MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY by not allowing landscaping, boxes,
trash bins, vehicles, or equipment near building where they
might provide concealment or access to the roof.
PERIMETER FENCES need to be adequate enough to keep intruders
out, and at the same time allow good visibility of your business
by neighbos and police (i.e. vertical iron bar fence or 1/8 inch
mesh vinyl coated chain link.
KEY CONTROL should be done in a responsible manner. A master key
system where on key opens all locks may be convenient, but it
may not be the best for security. Code all keys, keep them
locked up when not in use, and do not allow employees to leave
them lying around or make duplicates. Change locks whenever you
suspect key security has been jeopardized.
ID NUMBERS should be marked on all equipment and stickers (such
as Operation ID) should be displayed to make this plainly
evident to would-be thieves. The best number to use is your
personal driver's license number. Also keeping a record of
serial numbers on all equipment may help in recovery.