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Business & Workplace Safety

Business Watch


 RCMP Horse and Rider


Richmond RCMP Business Watch
Aims to enhance communications between the Police and the business community in order to reduce crime. Our goal is to provide the business community with crime prevention tools to help protect their assets and create a safe working environment.

To receive email alerts of neighbourhood commercial break and enters, register your business name and address at: rcmp_business_watch@richmond.ca

Richmond businesses can request a free security assessment to help secure their property and create a safe working environment by calling 604-207-4790. 

To view Richmond neighbourhood criminal activity maps, visit
www.richmond.ca/crime

If you discover a break and enter, do not touch anything! Call 9-1-1.

If the suspect(s) has left, or if someone has attempted to break in, do not touch anything and call the Police non-emergency number at 604 278-1212.

Report all criminal activity to the Police. If a suspect is present, call 9-1-1. If no suspect is present, call the Police non-emergency number at 604 278-1212.

Write down the suspect's description: sex, race, height, weight, clothing, vehicle details, direction of travel, and license plate number.

For a Business Security Checklist, download a copy of the RCMP Business Watch brochure in PDF format:

PDF Document Business Watch Brochure

Richmond RCMP Business Watch newsletters

         PDF Document Fall 2011
            PDF Document Summer 2011
            PDF Document Winter 2011
            PDF Document Fall 2010
            PDF Document Summer 2010 
            PDF Document Spring 2010
            PDF Document Summer 2008
            PDF Document Summer 2007
            PDF Document Spring 2007 
            PDF Document Winter 2006
            PDF Document Fall 2006
            PDF Document Spring 2006

TIP: Display your address clearly on both the front and rear of your building to assist emergency responders. 


Employee Safety

  • Employees should keep their personal belongings in locked cabinets.
  • Employees working late at night should use the "buddy system" when walking to their vehicles.
  • Post signs encouraging customers and employees to always lock their vehicles and to lock valuables in their trunks.

Exterior Lighting

  • All entrances should be well lit or lit by motion detector lights. Install anti-tampering cages over outdoor light fixtures to protect the light bulb.
  • Inspect your lights regularly, replace burned-out or broken lights immediately.
  • Outdoor light fixtures should be clean and utilize the proper light type, i.e., high pressure sodium bulbs, etc., to maximize lighting effectiveness . 
  • For employee safety, ensure proper lighting coverage of all vehicles in your parking lot.

Doors 

  • astragalUse good quality deadbolts (with 1 1/2 inch throw  - the throw is the part that extends into the door frame when locked) on all exterior doors.
  • Criminals often use a pry tool to distort the door jamb until the door can be forced open. Install an anti-pry metal plate on all exterior doors.  Anti pry plates are bolted to the door and cover the gap between the door & door frame (see the photo on the right).
  • Install a door collar (a U-shaped metal sleeve that fits under the door handle and the deadbolt) for additional support. Door collars  are available at all local hardware stores.
  • Glass doors should be reinforced with security film or window bars.
  • Create a checklist listing all exterior doors, windows and gates and assign the task of insuring all are locked at the end of the day to a specific person.     
  • If appropriate, bollards could be installed in front of glass doors or windows (see photo below).     

Bay Doors

Bollards

  • Bollards are rigid posts that can be installed to protect vulnerable areas of your business, such as glass windows or doors, or in front of bay doors.
  • Bollards can be mounted near each other so that they block vehicles from driving through.
  • Removable bollards can be lowered or removed, either manually or automatically, when not needed and to allow access for service and emergency vehicles.
  • "Barn door braces” can be installed to reinforce bay doors.
  • A good quality padlock should be installed on the interior of the bay door.                                      

Windows

  • Security film, plexiglass, quick-release window bars, or roll down shutters should be installed on glass doors or windows near the door locks to reinforce the glass.
  • Windows that open should have secondary locks installed.
  • Windows should be free of clutter, frosting or advertising to allow visibility in and out of the business.

PDF Document Security Film Info

Alarms

  • Alarms should be used in addition to other security measures, not as the only security measure.
  • If you have an alarm system, use it!
  • Check motion sensors on the security alarm to ensure the sensors are covering the widest area possible including all entry/exits and windows.
  • Check motion sensors on a regular basis to ensure they are in good working order.
  • If possible, install a flashing strobe light outside the business which is triggered by the alarm to indicate a break and enter in progress.
  • All exterior doors (including bay doors) and ground floor windows should be armed and have alarm stickers installed. 
  • If there are security guards, ensure they patrol on a random circuit and that they check all exterior doors and windows on a regular basis.
  • If you have CCTV, check that it is in good working order and the correct date and time are recorded.

Secured Items 

  • Equipment (including computers) should be bolted to the floor and/or desk.
  • Computer backups should be stored off-site.
  • Record equipment (including computer) make, model and serial numbers.
  • Laptops should be removed from the premises overnight, or stored in a secure location.
  • Your POS system should be kept out of sight except during financial transactions.
  • Blank cheques, credit card machines and similar property should be secured in your safe at the end of the day.
  • Valuable merchandise should be stored in a secured location when your business is closed.

Key Control 

  • Keep a record of all keys issued.
  • Restrict keys to staff who actually need them.
  • Master keys and duplicates should be kept locked in a secure location when not in use.
  • Create a record where everyone must sign when using keys.

Fences & Gates

  • If possible, fence the entire perimeter of your property.
  • Gates should have a pre-determined opening and locking schedule with one person responsible for ensuring the gate is properly locked.
  • Gates should be secured with good quality padlocks and chains.
Outside
  • Trim landscaping away from doors and windows to provide clear sight lines into your business.
  • Secure ladders and any tools that could be used in a break and enter indoors, if possible, if not possible, use good quality padlocks and chains.
  • Do not store pallets outside the building.
  • Keep shrubs trimmed back from windows and doors.
  • Display your address clearly on both the front and rear of your building.

Safes

  • Standing safes should be firmly anchored to the floor.
  • Limit the number of persons having access to keys and combinations.
  • Change the locks or combinations when the people with access terminate their employment.