Keep your homes, business safe

East Kildonan

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/04/2023 (1070 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I recently attended a crime prevention seminar where police and security companies shared tips on keeping your businesses safe. Many of their suggestions apply to homes. too.

Start with a little common sense. Keep your doors locked, speaker after speaker told the audience. One presenter occasionally conducts unannounced security audits where he sees how far he can get into a business while it is open without staff noticing.

Sometimes it’s pretty far. He walks in the service door, nods at people and gets into storage areas, offices and customer cars. His company has seen a case in which thieves lowered a hoist and drove a brand new car right off the lot without anyone noticing.

Keep your place in good repair. Fix holes in fences, keep gates in working order and change your smoke detectors every three years. They can become plugged with dust and other particulates.

If you take just one step, nstall bright lighting around your property. An RCMP constable said it helps police and security see the entire lot and makes it harder for criminals to hide. Wireless motion cameras can complement this for the corners of your property.

Closed-circuit video surveillance is also effective. Combined with bright lighting, it provides clear, live footage to security companies, who can relay vital information to police and their staff as they head to a scene. It also provides good evidence for court cases.

Some video security systems can come with a public address system. If a security company detects an intruder, it can announce a warning to leave or police will be called. Four out of five times, this is enough to scare people off. If the person in question is an employee, they can be directed to verify their identity by calling a security centre. Security companies can also play audio clips of barking dogs as a deterrent.

Many companies, such as retailers and restaurants with drive-through windows, invest in protecting themselves from vandalism. Some manufacturers offer products that protect windows and display cases from breakage. The polycarbonate material on some fast-food menu boards is very tough to break. The boards can cost more than $15,000 each, so they’re worth protecting.

If you have an alarm system, install multiple sensors, which will help reduce false alarms that waste police resources, the RCMP officer said. If you have a keyholder list, ensure that someone is always available to attend a an alarm call. Officers often cannot enter a building because a staff member on call fails to show up.

Should an incident occur, report it to police whether or not you file an insurance claim, the officer said. Police forces maintain incident databases that can help them identify trends. They can plan special operations and extra patrols to address problem areas.