It's a production that's mounted every 10 seconds, done with
a cast of one or two, no script, no lights, and no audience - yet
it brings the producers some $1. 4 billion in annual profits, or
almost $4 million per day.
Its name is "Burglary," and it's one of the longest running
shows in history, on or off Broadway.
Burglary, defined as unlawful entry with or without force to
commit a theft or other felony, accounts for a significant share of
the country's serious crime. Small businesses are popular targets,
and much of the loss is in merchandise.
Only about one of every six burglaries is cleared by arrest,
according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In the last decade, burglaries in the U. S. have about doubled.
And unlike lightning, thieves may - and often do - strike in the
same place twice.
In the face of these facts, business owners and operators,
especially those with small operations, cannot afford to ignore
burglary prevention.
Lock the Burglar Out
A sturdy lock often will discourage a timid burglar and at
least make a bold one work harder. Experts say the pin-cylinder
lock may give the best protection since it is difficult to pick.
The lock should be a dead bolt type, requiring either a key or a
knob to set is. Such a lock cannot be opened by slipping a piece
of celluloid between the door edge and jamb, a standard burglar's
technique that works on locks which catch automatically when the
door closes.
The ultimate in frustration for the burglar is the double
cylinder dead lock which must be opened by a key from either side,
making it difficult for a hidden burglar to get out of the
building.
In addition to locks, a bar can be used on the rear door, a
favorite entry point for burglars. Bars over windows, skylights
and other openings can also frustrate many unauthorized entrance.
Count the Keys
Experts advise that records should be kept on key
distribution, and that employees should be required to turn in
their keys when they leave the business. Having a master key or
one key for both outside doors and inside offices is convenient,
but makes burglary a simple matter. It is a good idea to code keys
so that only the employees know which locks they fit.
Sound the Alarm
Burglar alarms are perhaps the most obvious means of burglar
protection.
The silent central-station alarm gives the best protection.
This type goes off at a private protection agency or in the local
police station, unknown to the burglar who continues working,
reassured by the quiet.
The cheaper building-type local alarm system - which wakes the
entire neighborhood and alerts the burglar as well - is preferable
to no alarm at all. At least it may scare off the thief before he
has completed the job.
Alarm sensing devices are available in considerable variety,
from radar motion detectors and invisible beams to an automatic
phone dialer which efficiently calls both the police and the
business owner.
Put Burglars in the Spotlight
Providing a lot of light, both inside and outside, usually is
effective. Having each entrance point, including windows and large
vents, flooded with light will discourage all but the most highly
motivated burglar, and will force any burglar to work quickly.
Mercury and metallic vapor lamps serve well since they are nearly
unbreakable.
It is advisable to arrange indoor lighting so that anyone on
the inside can be spotted by police patrolling the area. It's best
that window displays not block the view from the street.
Slow the Burglar Down
The burglar who has actually managed to slip past the alarm,
lights, locks, and bars can still be foiled. A simple
rearrangement of merchandise can be frustrating or even discourage
the thief completely.
One device guaranteed to infuriate a burglar is to tie the
cords of electrical appliances together. The burglar will either
waste precious time frantically untying knots, or will abandon the
effort.
The same principle can be applied to guns, bicycles or other
items which can easily be chained together.
A special hint for clothing stores is to reverse alternating
hangers on the racks, making it impossible for a thief to sweep a
line of merchandise off the rod and head for the door. Attaching
racks to the floor is another way to make a burglar consider a
different line of work.
Consider displaying expensive goods in the center of the
store, but not all in one place, so that a burglar will have to
work far from exits and will have to go to several locations for
merchandise.
Make Safes Safer
Safes, especially ones with complicated locks and intricate
storage facilities, look formidable, but must be used properly to
be effective.
No matter what the weight or shape, safes can be bolted to the
building and placed near the front of the store so they will be
visible from the street at night. Since burglars can't take what
isn't there, prudent managers will leave the safe as empty as
possible, banking excess cash at night. It also is a good idea to
equip safes with silent alarms.
Use Gratings, Special Glass
Heavy metal window screens and doorway gratings are an
inexpensive way to protect display cases.
Burglar resistant glass, a sandwich of plastic between two
sheets of glass, thwarts access to displays and the building
itself. It can be broken but is takes continual hammering to break
it.
Private police patrols may be employed, but one of the most
effective patrols is a watchdog, which few burglars are willing to
face.
Don't Forget the Obvious
All the hints above can help prevent burglaries, but common
sense precautions must also be used. For instance, having all the
windows barred will be useless if a transom is left open or an
employee is careless with his or her keys.
Only by applying all prevention techniques diligently can the
business-owner assure that the thief's profits do not become the
owner's loss.
