Introduction to Security

1. Introduction to Security Chapter 16 Commercial Security

2. Retail Security Threats: • Shoplifting • Burglary • Vandalism • Passing bad checks • Fraudulent credit cards • Employee theft • Robbery

3. Retail Security: What is the real threat? • Statistics tell us that employee theft accounts for approximately 47% of inventory shrinkage • Shoplifting remains the second leading cause of inventory shrinkage, accounting for approximately 32%

4. Retail Security : Shoplifting • Types of shoplifters: • Amateurs • These can be anyone from a juvenile to a doctor; these people generally use what they steal • Account for the largest number of shoplifters • Professionals • Those who steal to re-sell the merchandise

5. Retail Security: Shoplifting • Methods of Shoplifting • Palming objects • Dropping objects into a shopping bag, book bag or purse • Placing items inside clothing • Booster box • Switching price tags

6. Retail Security: Shoplifting Indicators of Possible Shoplifting: • Picking up and putting down items repeatedly (an effort to confuse a watcher) • Frequently opening and closing a purse • Continuously looking around • Roaming with no apparent pattern • Frequently using elevators, bathrooms, or other places that are difficult to watch

7. Retail Security: Shoplifting Indicators of Possible Shoplifting: • Wearing bulky clothing in warm weather • A coat over an arm • An arm in a sling • Carrying an umbrella, or many boxes or bags

8. Retail Security: Shoplifting Deterring Shoplifting • Having an alert, trained sales force • Floor walkers • Uniformed security officers at entries and exits • Anti-shoplifting merchandising • Anti-theft devices • Convex mirrors • CCTV systems

9. Retail Security: Shoplifting Apprehending Shoplifters: • It is critical to distinguish a thief from the absent-minded shopper who accidently walks out with something. • Apprehend the shoplifter so that the merchandise can be recovered • Make sure personnel have reasonable cause to detain a shoplifter (laws vary on this - check local statutes)

10. Retail Security: Shoplifting Prosecuting Shoplifters • Local statutes are going to be a large factor in the decision on whether or not to prosecute.

11. Retail Security: Shoplifting Establish company guidelines: • Samples: • AGE: 12 and under – parents called and released to them 13 – 16 = juvenile offenders Past history Attitude Strength of case

12. Retail Security: Organized Retail Crime (ORC) • This involves professional thieves operating as a network who steal, repackage and resell stolen goods. • Most popular items are electronics, razor blades, liquor, OTC medicine, baby formula, health and beauty aids, and meat

13. Retail Security: Bad Checks and Credit/Debit Cards • To reduce losses: • Teach employees to recognize telltale signs of fraudulent items • Record relevant information on the back of all cashed checks • Reconcile ID description with the user • Require ID with all purchases other than cash

14. Retail Security: Other Issues • Many losses are caused by employees, either by mistake or sometimes even on purpose • Maintain strict pricing procedures so items are not marked wrongly • Watch cashiers to ensure they are ringing up every item at their register; often, cashiers will have a friend come through and only ring up certain items.

15. Retail Security: Other Issues • Returns & Refunds: establish return guidelines and be sure employees follow it • Be aware it is easier for employees to abuse the return/refund system than it is for customers.

16. Retail Security: Malls • Security at malls lags behind the rest of the retail sector for several reasons: • Very little money is spent on it • Training for mall security officers is inadequate • Hiring standards have not changed • Risk assessments are rare

17. Retail Security: Malls Suggestions: • Conduct a formal risk assessment • Curtail all access to air circulation systems • Use passive barriers to prevent cars loaded with explosives from accessing the mall • Develop and practice emergency response plans • Enhance partnerships with the local sector

18. Lodging and Hospitality Establishments Security • Courts have ruled that hotels must “take a reasonable and prudent approach” to security. • The toughest issue is balancing security with customer convenience and freedom of movement.

19. Lodging and Hospitality Establishments Security Issues: • Internal theft • External theft • Vandalism • Fire • Vice

20. Lodging and Hospitality Establishments Security Measures: • Assign security responsibilities to employees • Ensure proper pool and fire safety procedures are followed • Consider installing surveillance systems in pubic areas

21. Office Building Security Concerns: • After-hours burglaries and thefts • Theft from one tenant by another • Theft of services • Assault • Rapes • Access control • Bomb threats • Executive protection

22. Office Building Security Steps: • Post a receptionist or security personnel at a front desk • Install a CCTV system • Restrict access to residential areas • Require authorization and documentation of company asset use • Have mail room supervised

23. High Rise Security – Post 9/11 • Elevators are required to open into a smoke-free vestibule • Wider stairways to allow better flow of people down and emergency responders up simultaneously • Practice evacuations • Establish an emergency notification system for tenants