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Email us at RCMP_Business_Link@richmond.ca with your business name and street address.
Exterior
- All entrances should be well lit.
- Install anti-tampering cages over outdoor light fixtures to protect the light bulb.
- 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.
- Maintain clear visibility from the store to the street, sidewalk, parking areas, loading areas and passing traffic.
- Keep landscaping away from windows and doors. Don’t provide concealment or climbing platforms for a burglar.
- Display your address clearly on both the front and rear of your building.
- If possible, fence the entire perimeter of your property with high quality fence that cannot be cut or damaged easily.
- Gates should have a pre-determined opening and locking schedule with one person responsible for ensuring the gate is properly locked.
- 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.
Building
- 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 so the lock and frame areas cannot be split apart to gain entry.
- Install a door collar (a U-shaped metal sleeve that fits under the door handle and the deadbolt) for additional support.
- Glass doors and windows should be reinforced with security film.
- Ensure all exterior doors, windows and gates are locked at the end of the day.
- Protect vulnerable entries, such as glass doors or bay doors, by install bollards (rigid posts) in front of it.
- Install bollards close together to prevent vehicles from driving through.
- "Barn door braces” can be installed to reinforce bay doors.
- Use good quality padlock on the interior of the bay door.
- Install window bars or roll down shutters on glass doors or windows to reinforce them.
- Windows should be free of clutter, frosting or advertising to allow visibility in and out of the business.
Shoplifting Prevention
- If you have CCTV, check that it is in good working order and the correct date and time are recorded.
- Train employees to keep an eye on anyone who is loitering, ask if they need assistance.
- Ensure store and display shelves are neat and organized to allow clear lines of sight across the store.
- Have the checkout counter near the front of the store.
- Install surveillance cameras and make sure date and time stamps are accurate.
Clearly mark public area and staff only areas. - Prevent grab-and-runs by keeping merchandise away from exits.
- Keep expensive items in locked cases.
- Make sure to have an adequate level of staffing at all times to ensure there are enough staff to provide customer service as well as watch the floor.
- Share shoplifting prevention tips with employees to ensure they know how to prevent a potential crime.
- Utilize mirrors in the corners of the ceiling to prevent theft.
- Put up theft prevention signs that advertise security methods, fines imposed and maximum criminal shoplifting charge.
- Call the police for every attempted theft no matter how little the values may be will help your business stay safe from the antics of petty criminals.
- Develop a strict refund/exchange policy to discourage fraudulent returns and avoid letting professional shoplifter to take advantage of you.
- Install an entrance/exit alert sensor. This is extremely useful for low-volume businesses so that you will be notified whenever someone comes in or leaves your store.
- Monitor dressing rooms and restrooms. Staff an employee near the fitting room to monitor and track items entering and exiting. Do not allow un-paid items to be taken into the restrooms.
Employee Safety
- Provide adequate and ongoing safety training to employees.
- Make sure all machinery is well maintained and has adequate protective guards.
- Provide employees with the required safety gear.
- Always maintain a clear path and quick access to the emergency exits.
- Designate a secured area with lockers for employees to store personal belongings.
- Schedule more than one employee for late night closing shifts.
- Always lock your vehicles and remove all valuables.
- Make sure private areas are hard to access for non-employees.