Ninety per
cent of burglary prevention is physical
security. If your complex is locked up and
unauthorized entry is made difficult, time
consuming, noisy and visible, chances of a
successful burglary are kept to a minimum.
The burglar will pass up your business and
look for an easier target.
PREVENTION
LOCKS
on all outside entrances and inside security
doors should be double cylinder deadbolts
with moveable collars. The deadbolt should
have at least one inch throw containing a
hardened steel insert and protected by a
latch guard.
PADLOCKS
should be of hardened steel, mounted on
bolted hasps and always locked to prevent
exchange. Serial numbers should be filed off
to prevent new keys from being made.
DOORS
(all outside or security doors) should be of
solid construction, metal lined and secured
with heavy metal crossbars. Jams around
doors must be solid. All exposed hinges
should be pinned to prevent removal.
WINDOWS
should have secure locks. Burglar-resistant
glass treatments are also recommended. An
example would be the installation of
polyester security film. However, this must
be used in conjunction with the alarm's
glass break sensor. Heavy metal grates may
be used on windows of high vulnerability
(such as rear windows). Check with the Fire
Marshall for safety requirements.
LIGHTS
must provide optimum visibility, both inside
and out, with those outside having
vandal-proof covers over the lights and
power source. Entire perimeter must be well
lit, especially the area around doors and
other possible entry points.
ALARM
SYSTEMS
should be supplied by a licensed alarm
company with a central monitoring station.
Check the alarm system on a daily basis, and
advertise its presence to deter break-ins.
SAFES
should be fire proof, burglar resistant,
anchored securely and in plain view. Leave
it open when it is empty, and use it to lock
up valuables when business is closed. Change
the combination whenever someone with access
to it leaves your employment.
BUILDING
EXTERIOR
should be checked including the roof, cellar
and walls. Secure all openings.
MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY by not allowing
landscaping, boxes, trash bins, vehicles or
equipment near building where they might
provide concealment or access to the roof.
PERIMETER
FENCES need
to be adequate enough to keep intruders out,
and at the same time allow good visibility
of your business by neighbors and police
(i.e. vertical iron bar fence or 1/8 inch
mesh vinyl coated chain link).
KEY CONTROL
should be done in a responsible manner. A
master key system where one key opens all
locks may be convenient, but it may not be
the best for security. Code all keys, keep
them locked up when not in use, and do not
allow employees to leave them lying around
or make duplicates. Change locks whenever
you suspect key security has been
jeopardized.
ID NUMBERS
should be marked on all equipment and
stickers (such as Operation ID) should be
displayed to make this plainly evident to
would-be thieves. Also keeping a record of
serial numbers on all equipment may help in
recovery.
