Burglaries Can Be Prevented !

T HE CHANCES of your com- I pany being burglarized can be diminished, just as they can be increased. AII it takes is some careful consideration of how you and your employees relate to your daily routine and the people with whom you come in contact.

First, don't help make a burglary easy. Keep your business well lighted on all sides, with all the lights burning until you leave the building. And, leave a night light on when the business is closed.

If the doors of your company are of glass, keep them uncovered. Don't put large signs or advertising materials on them. Leave them clear, as well as any front windows, for police patrol observation.

Cameras, tv's and reward signs in full view of customers are a strong deterrent to crime.

Don't count or display money openly; and never in the presence of customers. Never turn your back on an open cash drawer.

Be sure not to allow anyone into the building until the safe has been opened and your currency has been distributed into the register drawers. Also, keep as little currency in the regislers as possible.

Security consciousness begins right in your business. Refrain from discussing with employees, delivery people or customers the amount of your sales or deposits.

Be alert to persons shopping for long periods of time, or delaying while others go ahead. Keep an eye on persons in attire not in general conformity with your area or the season of the year. And, be alert to persons wanting to use the restrooms, or milling around the back areas of your business. Be suspicious of anyone asking about your security alarms, number of employees, etc.

Before closing time, be sure you have made your daily - or more often - bank deposit in broad daylight, by traveling varied routes to the bank. Before closing time, move your car to the front of the building, keeping it locked at all times.

Should you notice anything suspicious, such as cars parked across the street, or in your lot; cars driving by frequently and slowly, take the license number and give it to the police. Don't feel that your call is a bother to the police. It is your tax money that pays their salaries; it is their job to protect your DUSINCSS.

There are common methods of operations that burglars follow: (l) they walk in, often immediately following a money delivery; Q) they hide in the building just prior to closing time, waiting until

Story at a Glance

customers are gone, and then approach the lock-up person. Or, they may wait until morning and approach the manager before the store opens. An intruder may also break into the building during the night and wait for the store to open;

(3) often the bad check ruse is used by an intruder who says he wants to make good a bad check. He really wants in the officel (4) sometimes burglars impersonate police officers, service technicians, sales agents, etc., asking to speak to the manager in the office. Before taking a stranger into your office ask to see his or her identification. All sales and service people and police officers carry credentials to prove their identity: (5) some intruders go so far as to ask for employment, hoping for entrance into the office. Provide a place where applications for employmenl can be filled out other than in your office or a back room, (6) calling the manager at home is a ruse that has cost a number of honest persons their lives. Ifyou receive a call about your businesseven from an employeecall the police and ask them to meet you outside your business. Again, remember, you're not bothering them; it's part of their job to protect you.

If all of the above fails, and you are held up with either a gun or a simulated weapon, don't panic! Do qs you are lold. At'l nolttally. Dott't move too lasl or deliberately hesitate. Be a good witness. Observe the age, height and weight. build (thin. average, heavy, fat); eye and hair color, race (Caucasian, Black, Oriental, etc.)l complexion (smooth, rough, light, dark, acne, etc.)t color and type of clothingl unusual characteristics (tatoos. scars, a limp, gravelly voice. etc.), and the make of the kinds of weapons used, their color and size. Immediately following a robbery, call the police. Stiiy on the telephone until the officer states

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