Small businesses make up the backbone of the U.S. economy. The American Dream for many people, including a large number in Bossier Parish, is to start and develop their own business.

Given the influence of small businesses in the parish, it's vitally important to consider the impact crime can have on them and our community. Crimes such as burglary, robbery, employee theft, fraud and vandalism cost businesses nationwide billions of dollars each year.

Crime exacts a heavy burden on small businesses because a loss of both customers and employees often results when crime and fear claim a neighborhood, but we can't allow criminals to jeopardize the well-being of small business owners, and communities, through exploitation.

Here are some basic crime prevention principles for small business owners:

Burglary Prevention

Make sure all outside entrances and inside security doors have deadbolt locks.

All outside or security doors should be metal-lined and secured with metal    security crossbars.

Windows should have secure locks and burglar-resistant glass.

Remove all expensive items from window displays at night.

Make sure it is easy to see inside your business after closing.

Light the inside and outside of your business.

Check the parking lot for good lighting and unobstructed views.

Keep your cash register in plain view from the outside of your business.

Be sure your safe is fireproof and securely anchored.

Before investing in an alarm system, check with several companies and decide what level of security you need.

Robbery Prevention
Greet every person who enters the business in a friendly manner because personal contact can discourage a would-be criminal.

Provide information about your security systems to employees only on a “need to    know” basis.
Place cash registers in the front of the store.

Keep small amounts of cash in the register to reduce losses.

Make bank deposits often and during business hours.

Ask local law enforcement about tips on what to do IF you are robbed.

If you or your employees are confronted by a robber, cooperate.

Shoplifting Prevention

Train employees in how to reduce opportunities for shoplifting and how to    apprehend shoplifters.

Keep the store neat and orderly.

Use mirrors to eliminate “blind spots.”

Keep displays full so employees can tell at a glance if something is missing.

Design the exits so everyone has to pass by security personnel or store employees.

The cash register should be inaccessible to customers, locked, and monitored at    all times.

Dressing rooms and bathrooms should be watched at all times.

Employee Theft Prevention

Establish a written policy regarding employee responsibilities, standards of honesty and the consequences for not adhering to the rules and regulations.

Make sure employees read, understand and sign the policy as a condition for    employment.

Follow strict hiring practices—verify all information and contact all the    references listed on an application.

Keep accurate records on cash flow, inventory, equipment and supplies.

Limit access to keys, the safe, computerized records and alarm codes.

If internal theft is discovered, contact local law enforcement immediately.

Check Fraud

Many fraudulent checks are visibly phony. By paying close attention to a check's appearance, you can often detect a possible bad check before accepting it as payment. When you see one or more of the following telltale signs, you may be looking at a phony check:

No perforation on check edges.

Apparently altered writing or erasures.

Water spots or alterations of check's color or graphic background.

Signature does not match imprinted name and I.D.

Crime can be particularly devastating to small businesses. When owners are victims of crime, they often react by changing their hours of operation, raising their prices to cover their losses, relocating outside the community, or simply closing. Fear of crime isolates businesses, much like fear isolates individuals, and this isolation increases vulnerability to crime.

Helping small businesses reduce and prevent crime must be a community effort--small businesses, city and parish governments, law enforcement and citizens. Together, these entities must fight violence, drugs and other crime and create a safe community for all.

Crimes against businesses are often crimes of opportunity and although there are no guarantees to absolutely prevent crime, these suggestions just might tip the odds in your favor. It may save you time and money and help your business prosper.



Sheriff Larry Deen’s column appears each Friday in the Bossier Press-Tribune.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved