Making your business less criminal friendly - From the music you play to the lighting in your parking lot
They say that image is everything and that applies to more than just your marketing materials. Projecting the image of a safe, secure and heavily watched business can deter employee theft, shoplifting, loitering and a host of other potential loss prevention headaches.
The obvious, is starting with lighting and cameras. The better lit the parking lot the less likelihood of trouble. Most criminals are opportunistic, they work in the shadows. If they can be identified by a passer by or their victims, they think twice about committing the crime in the first place.
The same is true with cameras, as long as they can be seen. Don't hide them away, put them front and center and post signs announcing your recording efforts. You can even go as far as having a montior displaying your camera feed in view for everyone to see. Cameras only work to record the incident, not deter it, if no one knows they are there.
Windows are a great place to post advertising, but think twice before you hang that latest promotion. Keep the windows of your store front clean and clutter free. The less obstruction, the better you can see out and the better potential witnesses can see in. Again, criminals are shy, they don't like it when people can see them.
Consider using a door chime to let you know when someone exits or enters the store. People can slip in and out while you or your employees are occupied with other tasks.
For quick isle to isle surveillance use security mirrors. Not only do they help with potential shoplifters but you can see if someone looks lost or just needs help finding something. They are also a huge visual reminder for customers to be on their best behavior.
Another overlooked theft prevention technique is good customer service. Make contact with your potential customers, say hello and periodacally check on them if they are in the store for a long period of time. If potential thieves know they can be identified or that a clerk could pop up at any moment to assist them, they will reconsider their target.
Even the music you play can have an effect on who hangs around. According to an article on 10TV.com a local business discouraged loitering by simply playing classical music in the store and outside the front entrance. Employees and customers have commented on the obvious change.
Unfortunately your customers are not the only people you need to be keeping an eye on. Consistent back door receiving practices are vital for retail control and loss prevention. It is estimated 12-15% of all store shrink is caused by “honest” receiving mistakes and miscalculations, as well as employee theft and fraud. Supervision is the key to keeping vendors and employees honest.
Preparation of the physical receiving area and control procedures should be put into place. The receiving door should be controlled at all times by an exit alarm, especially during business hours. Not all exit alarms are alike; make sure you use an alarm that requires manager authorization before exit, and automatically resets itself upon closure.
Employees should never use the receiving door for entrance and exit, especially not for smoking breaks. Trash removal times should be specified, with periodic investigations for “trash stash”. Hiding products in the trash for later retrieval is a common theft practice. Most importantly – backdoors should NEVER be propped open. It leaves an easy in and out for both problem employees and potential thieves.
The goal here is to make it look like a criminal act can not take place without being witnessed. The easier it is for you to see every nook and cranny of your store the harder it will be for criminals to find a spot to commit their crimes. In this case transparency is the best policy. With a combination of preventative measures and quality human contact you can make your business less of a target.
Sources
Customers Say Classical Music Played At UDF Curbed Loitering, 10TV.com
