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New Year! Improved Security!
A new year is always a time to reflect back on what went well, what needs to be improved and what goals need to be completed. This is a perfect time to do these things with your security and safety as well. Here are some of things to consider:
- Implement/Upgrade anti-virus software
- Security/Safety awareness training
- Install/Upgrade Equipment
- Lights
- Locks
- Cameras
- Alarms
- Implement/Reinforce Security & Safety policies & procedures
- Develop/Revisit emergency plans & procedures including crisis communications
- Complete background checks on all new & existing employees
These are only some of the major components of your security & safety plans that need to be addressed. Make 2007 safe and secure for you, your employees, customers and your business.
What Can I Do For You?
A New Year! A Fresh Start! A New Beginning!
2006 was a year of transition for me from the corporate world to my private investigation & security consulting business. With the new year comes some goals (not resolutions) that I have set for myself and my business.
The 1st and most important goal is 'What Can I Do For You?'. This puts you, my current clients and potential customers first. By helping others I will also benefit. All of us have an innate desire to help others. Just take a look back at all of the work and resources given this past holiday season. I want to keep that same momentum going the rest of the year. Now is the perfect time!!!
What Can I Do For You?
Security & Design
The study looked at a store's design and how it hindered or enhanced shoplifting. The study found that a store with wide, clear aisles, that was kept clean and organized, made it less attractive for thieves to escape detection. My own experience has shown this to be true. Potential thieves do not want to be seen. They want to be invisible while they commit their theft and be able to exit the store undetected as quickly and effortlessly as possible. A well designed and maintained store environment reduces the ability for thieves to hide while committing their crimes.
As part of the study, researchers interviewed 20 apprehended shoplifters who stated that they sought out stores that had chaotic, over packed aisles because they offered good camouflage. These thieves also said they will seek out theses areas in stores that are hidden from the view of employees and closed-circuit television cameras.
One of the most interesting (and seemingly elementary) aspect of the study saids that the best displays are able to both protect and market the merchandise. Not always easily done, but can and is accomplished in stores that place security a priority in their company's goals and mission.
Retailers have used and implemented numerous measures over the years to eliminate theft, but unfortunately it can only be minimized. It takes a combination of apprehensions/prosecutions, technology and design to keep thefts and losses under control.
Security Cameras
I remember a time not too long ago when there were no security cameras. Our society has become saturated with them. Why is that? Do we really need to see and record every minute of every day? How does this enhance and ensure our safety and security? Does it really provide a deterrent to crime?
I subscribe to a number of security trade publications and they all are filled with ads and articles about closed-circuit television cameras. The newer models are called 'IP addressable' and are connected to and record through the internet. Pretty amazing stuff when you consider that just a few years ago we were recording VHS videotapes with VCRs. Now we plug in the camera directly to an internet network cable and record digitally onto our computer's hardrive.
Back to the question though. Does this technology make us safer? The answer depends on what criteria you look at. Do they deter crime? Sometimes. There are some potential criminals who may be swayed into not committing their crime because they're afraid that they will be videotaped and caught. The most effective use of cameras for deterrence is when they are physically monitored. As an example, security guards recently confronted and disarmed two armed students at a high school in Pittsburgh. The students were attempting to enter the school through a side door in order to bypass the metal detectors at the front entrance. The guards actions deterred a potentially violent incident. Since they were monitoring the campus live, they were able to immediately respond and deter the crime. This is not usually the case. Most of the time cameras are recorded and reviewed later if there was an incident.
Probably a better and more realistic question is do cameras make us feel safer? That is ultimately what we want. Do we feel safe when we are shopping at the mall, eating at the restaurant, taking the subway to work. I'm guessing that most people would say the feel safer with cameras watching our every move. How safe do you feel?
School Violence
Should every school in the country have security? ABSOLUTELY! But, not every school needs the same type of security. All of them do need at least two types of plans. The first one is how to prevent incidents and the other one on how to incidents if they do occur. Then additional layers can be added such as training, physical equipment, security/law enforcement personnel, etc.
Will this completely eliminate violence in our schools? No. But it might PREVENT someone, somewhere from killing an innocent child and destroying a families future.
Prevention
Simple Analogy
Prevention- Change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles and perform basic maintenance needed such as brakes, tires, etc.
Reaction- Don't change the oil and pay for costly repairs for parts and labor, or worst case scenario, replace car due to excessive expense.
Reminds me of the old oil filter commercial- 'Pay me now or pay me (a lot more) later'...
PREVENTION=PROFITS
What Is Security?
Take the recent changes for air travel and the banning of all liquids on all flights. Just when do you think the government realized that these were potentially lethal? I'm sure that someone in that field had to suggest that a terrorist could bring liquid materials on an aircraft and set off a bomb in mid-flight. Why did they wait until there was a specific threat to implement the ban? Convenience. Not everyone's security. I'm NOT saying that the government t doesn't care about our security, because there are a lot of hard working men and women who make sure we don't have any further attacks in America. What I'm saying though, is that we, (Americans) don't want to be inconvenienced. We want to feel secure, but we also want to go about our lives freely and unencumbered.
I heard a great quote from a U.S. general and he said, "America is at war, but Americans are at the mall". Pretty much sums it up...
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