Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?
The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business losses.
Theft is typically associated with petty shoplifting, but it can also refer to organized retail crime and employee theft
In fact, employee theft is so common that nearly a quarter of all small business owners have experienced it. While theft can have a major impact on overall inventory losses, crimes like fraud and embezzlement also act as a form of employee theft.
Small businesses are highly susceptible to fraud as there is typically less oversight in comparison to major corporations. According to a fraud study by LexisNexis, fraud within small and midsize companies has increased nearly 7% since 2020.
The easiest way to prevent burglary is by securing all entry points for your business
The majority of theft occurs as a crime of opportunity—something as simple as an unlocked door or broken window. By lessening these types of opportunities, businesses can easily mitigate burglaries.
Be cognizant of who the business keyholders are. It’s best to limit the number of keys given out for a business but ensure that all keys are accounted for. It is important to make sure they are promptly returned when people leave the company.
Install an alarm or closed-circuit television system (CCTV)
Alarm systems are highly effective at protecting your business from theft or burglary, and they don’t have to be overly pricey. Make sure that whichever alarm system you choose allows for remote monitoring and control from either a smartphone, tablet or computer and uses a central monitoring station for 24/7 coverage.
A CCTV system adds an extra layer of security by providing video surveillance of the inside and/or outside of your business. CCTV also provides business owners with the security of being able to see and recall instances from inside the business. The presence of cameras could even completely deter any potential thieves. Video surveillance also offers the added benefit of being able to keep an eye on employees. This not only helps deter employee theft, but also improves employee productivity.
Securing your business is vital for protecting your property and employees, whether your business is open or closed. The FSS Technologies team can help you identify and assess any security risks that exist, and we will work diligently to build a security system that suits your needs.
Explore Our Other Blogs
What Does a Commercial Fire System Include?
Fire safety is critical for all businesses, but the components within commercial fire systems vary significantly between industries and functions. Fires can stem from common causes that affect any commercial property and sources unique to specific fields, so fire systems must address every threat using detection, prevention, protection, and suppression. With many options available for…
Security Integrations with Avigilon Alta
Security systems and integrations For business owners and managers, security systems are a key tool in protecting your customers, property, and commercial operations. There are several components to consider when working to create the best security system for your business, and there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. A helpful approach to finding the best fit for…
How to Make Your Business’s Fire and Security Systems ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to stop discrimination against and to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. It serves as an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities, defined as “physical or mental impairment that substantively limits one or more major life activities.” For businesses, the ADA means that the services…
Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry
Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…
Inside the Mind of a Burglar
What Message Are You Sending? Whether you know it or not, your business could send a message to potential burglars about how easy or difficult it is to break in. Professional thieves can quickly assess a property, also known as “casing,” to determine if it could be an easy and lucrative target. Unfortunately, many employees…
What Is an Area of Refuge?
Area of Refuge Systems An area of refuge, also known as an area of rescue assistance, is a place within a building where people can safely wait for rescue and call emergency responders for help. An area of refuge is part of U.S. federal law, enacted in 1990 as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act….
Has Chicago’s CCTV System Helped Lower Crime Rates?
It’s been 19 years since the Chicago Police Department (CPD) kicked off its pilot of Police Observation Devices (PODs). Today, there’s a network of 50,000+ surveillance cameras in use all over the city. But Are They Working? This simple question has no simple answer. According to the Chicago Police Department, in some areas, narcotic related crimes…
What is Video Alarm Verification?
Video alarm verification is a tried-and-true technology that is an underused component in residential and commercial security systems. Video alarm verification adds an extra element to your overall security by partnering your security system with an alarm monitoring center. When an alarm is triggered, video alarm verification allows monitoring center employees to view the situation…
5 Reasons Why You Need a Home Security System
A home security system protects your home and the ones you love. While there are many reasons you may need to invest in a home security system, we have highlighted some key ones: 1. Peace of Mind Have you heard a noise in the night and ever wondered what made the noise? A home security…
What the POTS Line Phase-Out Means for Life Safety Systems
When businesses hear about the POTS line phase-out, they often think only of desk phones. In reality, traditional copper phone lines have supported a much wider range of building systems, including fire alarms, security systems, elevator phones, and more. As carriers continue moving away from copper infrastructure, those connections may become more expensive, less reliable,…