With businesses facing all types of labor and supplier challenges right now, the last thing companies need is dealing with property damage or losses due to thieves and vandals. A single act of theft or property damage can cause thousands of dollars in repairs, or cause business operations to slow down. Some businesses might not even realize that they have made themselves an ideal target for criminals looking for an easy score. In today's Aegis blog post, we look at four reasons why a criminal might target a business for a burglary or act of vandalism, and what steps can be taken to prevent them.
No Security Cameras or Video Monitoring
One of the primary reasons a business might be targeted by a vandal or criminal operation is because they don't have any security cameras or video monitoring systems that could clearly identify them committing a crime. Some businesses have skipped this security step altogether, or they have old and outdated equipment that only provides grainy footage. When there are clearly marked and newer security systems in the interior and exterior of the property, this can be a good deterrent in preventing robberies, car burglaries, vandalism, or other crimes occurring on the commercial property.
Poorly Trained Employees
Criminals are also on the lookout for easy targets regarding new or undertrained employees who can be easily fooled or quickly restrained. For example, a thief might convince a new employee that they're authorized to access a business office, or secured storage area, while others might try to confuse a cashier by passing counterfeit cash or distract them during the transaction to steal money from the till. Managers, particularly those in retail or restaurant industries, should ensure that their workers are thoroughly trained on how to identify counterfeit money, how to clearly identify authorized workers and vendors, how to safely interact with customers, and how to avoid distractions during transactions.
Unsecure Property and Equipment
Criminals can also target commercial properties that have unsecured merchandise or property in the inside or outside of the property for a quick theft. For example, a retailer might have large outdoor grills or patio furniture on display, but without any security locks or cables to prevent theft. Also, a high-end retailer such as a jeweler or electronics store might not have valuable merchandise secured behind glass or locked cabinets. Additionally, a restaurant might have televisions mounted in patios that are too easily accessible by criminals. Retailers and restaurants need to regularly inspect the inside and outside of their property to ensure criminals cannot easily access merchandise, electronics, or other valuable property.
Lack of Exterior Lighting
Finally, businesses can help secure their property, as well as the vehicles of customers and employees, by installing additional lighting features around the exterior of the property. This can help illuminate areas of the property where car burglars or other criminals might try to hide, and can also help capture better footage of criminals and their getaway vehicles to aid law enforcement. These steps can help keep customers and employees safer while on site, while reducing potential liability claims and maintaining the reputation of the business as a safe place.
Businesses should not have to worry about the threat of theft, vandalism, or other crimes that could cause damages or losses as they continue to recover from the pandemic. Aegis Insurance & Financial Services is committed to helping companies also focus on their pandemic recovery by providing comprehensive Commercial Insurance solutions that offer quality protection at competitive rates. Our team at Aegis can help create a customized business insurance portfolio that is tailored to your specific industry, goals, and business needs. Contact Aegis today at 713-850-7622 for more information, or fill out our online form to request a free quote!