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Deterring Crime on Your Commercial Property

Deterring Crime on Your Commercial Property

Posted on Nov 09, 2011

The good news is that in recent years, the overall property crime rate has fallen. Still, there will always be criminals—and if you are a victim, statistics don’t matter. 

The first step in preventing property crime is site selection. When choosing a location for your company, look into past crime records for the area.  How many break-ins have been reported?  Is there a history of car thefts?  If you are looking to start up, relocate, or expand your business, do your homework. By mapping out past incidents, you can help forecast the amount and severity of crime in your area.

Once a site is selected, consider the surrounding geography. If a company is surrounded by multiple highways it reaps the benefits of accessible transportation routes, but faces higher burglary risks because of available escape routes. Cul-de-sacs and dead end roads offer a possible trap for burglars, while numerous adjacent streets provide a means for escape. 

Physical barriers also serve as major deterrents to criminals. Fencing, window grates, and chains across driveways help deflect a potential attack, as does the selection of secure doors, windows, locks and alarm systems. Minimal shrubbery and bright lighting increase visibility and decrease the likelihood that a burglar will target a building.

Finally, do not advertise the attractiveness of your building’s contents. A criminal can tell a great deal about what lies within a building by the sign on the front door or exterior wall. Would a burglar choose ABC Corporation or ABC Fine Jewelry Corporation? The clues to contents might also come from signs on trucks or empty boxes by a dumpster. 

 

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Risk Conversation

http://riskconversation.com/blog/business/2011/11/07/deterring-crime-on-your-commercial-property/

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