Category: BUSINESS SECURITY

Security Guard Service in Austin

Why hire a security guard service? It’s essential if you want to provide your business with professionals who have the knowledge and skills to protect your assets and deter crime. Whether it be walking the aisles of your store to reduce theft or providing an improved level of security in your parking lot, the presence of a security officer can help eliminate crime on your property.

The goal is to reduce crime in areas that would otherwise be a target.

Take for example the parking lot of a busy mall; it is notorious for robberies, assaults, and even vandalism; however, with more malls utilizing security guard services, these professionals have been able to deter crimes and ensure that the shopping experience people have is safer.

Even having a security professional in an office building to screen visitors that enter the structure and make certain only authorized persons are allowed on the property provides a sense of security for guests and staff; to add, the security professional can also escort guests/staff to their vehicles and provide high visibility that can reduce the risk of crime occurring on or near the location.

Security Guard Service in Austin

The city of Austin hosts everything from sporting events to concerts and other public and private functions where large crowds gather. Having a reliable and professional security service will help give attendees a peace of mind.

If a brawl were to ensue, the security officers would step in and defuse the situation before it escalated, or just the guards’ presence alone may prevent the altercation from even taking place – prevention is far less expensive than the cost of repairs.

Security and HOAs

Many residential communities would like to keep their neighborhoods safe but neighborhood watch groups can only do some much between the hours of 1am – 6am, the neighborhood is not on watch but the burglar is. A security officer patrolling the area can stop a criminal from car theft and entering homes.

Preventive Measures at Apartment Complexes

Curfew issues, break-ins, and unwanted visitors… every Apartment Manager’s worst nightmare. Providing a posted guard will definitely take away the manager’s stress and help residents feel secure knowing they can safely enter their apartment and not worry about their car or place of residence being broken into.

If you are considering hiring a guard company, check into that guard company.

Austin Crime Rate Statistics 

Property Crime Rate Comparison:
National Median – 29.1
Texas – 34.72
Austin – 53.05
Chances of becoming a victim in Austin – 1 in 19

 

Tips for Hiring a Security Guard Service

The following are also things to look for:

1. Do they have the proper credentials to operate in your area?
2. Are their security guards professionally dressed and approachable?
3. Is their reputation positive or have there been a number of filed complaints against them?
4. How do they handle communication when a problem arises?

The last thing you need is a guard that doesn’t possess any licenses, not properly uniformed, isn’t approachable and has an attitude problem.

Imagine this: you have an upset client, resident, or customer that needs the guard’s assistance because your staff isn’t around to help the client with his issue; the guard isn’t personable, doesn’t really care to assist your customer, has very little training, and makes matters worse.

Avoid the aforementioned…

Remember the security guard represents your business and you; not to mention, is generally the first person people see when they arrive on your property. So be sure to select a great company with professional and trustworthy security officers to provide service on your property.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, SECURITY GUARDS Tagged with: Austin security guard services, Austin Security Services, Guard Services Austin, Security guard service in Austin

Tips to prevent workplace violence

Workplace violence in corporate America makes up a tiny fraction of violent incidents; however, the notion that employees are unable to feel secure while working is a problem that needs to be addressed and resolved.

It is too complicated to explain in detail the psychological motivations that cause a person to resort to violence; even so, researchers seem to think that the anger an individual feels when he decides to take action is most likely noticeable prior to these types of events.

Key signs of workplace violence

Characteristics of a disgruntled employee:

The profile of an employee or fellow worker capable of committing workplace violence by experts is one considered to be a male over thirty-five years of age; has a five year and above tenure; is usually an infelicitous individual who does not have many friends and rarely associates with co-workers during and after business hours.

He will typically blame everyone for his problems and negative actions. This type of person generally has a negative reaction to any type of change and suspects others about things that are not true and even has paranoia regarding the intentions of employees and supervisors.

What provokes workplace violence?

Newspaper journalists and television anchors want people to think that individuals who commit workplace violence are average persons who suddenly lost all sense of mental balance and decided to embark on a mission to kill others. However, case studies show this is not the way these things develop… individuals do not simply become mentally unstable at the drop of a hat.

Alcoholism, addiction to narcotics, inabilities to earn and save money, marital problems and negative situations with relatives, co-workers, supervisors, and friends frequently cause these individuals to be incapable of dealing with the pressures of modern-day life.

Typical issues in a business setting that could eventually cause workplace violence include: receiving a negative employment performance report, company downsizing, the belief a supervisor chose another employee over the individual for career advancement, denied a raise, denied due credit or acknowledgement on a project, any type of discipline, reduction in company benefits, and being fired from a job.

Workplace violence in the news: click here to see more

How to address and resolve workplace violence?

One can never really get into the mind of a person that takes extreme measures and results to violence. Although you can summarize their personality type and characteristics, you never know what day, time, statement made, or anything else that pushes them to that point where they’ve had it.

But, researchers believe that employees who have serious issues at their jobs need to have ways in which they can vent their feelings to company managers. The argument is that this method will serve to prevent violent acts because the persons will have opportunities to discuss their personal situations.

Professional training can help supervisors to address these situations, so they are able to discern warnings a long time before workplace violence occurs. Companies need to have working systems that allow fair investigations into grievances registered by disgruntled employees.

Like a host of other issues facing the world today, awareness and education combined with better communication can greatly help reduce the risk of workplace violence. Some business entities are currently thinking of innovative ways to prevent workplace violence by implementing increased security devices, training methods and comprehensive company policies that address the possibilities of these acts taking place – being proactive is always the best approach!

If you are management and would like to start executing plans to prepare for and prevent occupational violence, contact our security consultants today.

Posted in BODYGUARDS, BUSINESS SECURITY, SECURITY MANAGEMENT Tagged with: disgruntled workers, how to handle disgruntled workers, workplace violence, workplace violence prevention, workplace violence tips

Bodyguard Services For Special Events In Austin

Bodyguard services is a must for celebrities and socialites visiting the Music Capital of the World. Austin, Texas has been coined the “live music capital of the world” because of its hundreds of venues for live music throughout the year. Visitors from all over the country get a chance to explore the notorious “sixth street” and get a full understanding of the phrase “Keep Austin Weird.” With large crowds of people enjoying the festivities, bodyguard services are essential for celebrities and socialites visiting the city.

 

Why hire bodyguards?

 

The celebration of music makes Austin a hub of cultural activity and host of hundreds of celebrities. These celebrities are loved by their fans that would do anything to meet their idols – get their autograph, take their picture, you name it. However, sometimes fans either unintentionally or knowingly cross a limit and may become what the celebrity might perceive as a threat. This makes it very important for such celebrities to have personal bodyguard services on the premises to neutralize any such threat; local law enforcement agencies just don’t have enough manpower to not only tend to the large crowds but also ensure the security of the celebrities at all times – it just isn’t possible.

 

Personal Protection at Parties

After parties go hand-in hand with music concerts given in Austin. VIPs pay extra money to have that additional special treatment and separate themselves from the rest of the crowd. Celebrities and socialites do their best to stay away from drama-filled atmospheres; the last thing they need is their name slandered in the news. To guarantee no brawls or unwanted guests are on the premises, personal protection services can discreetly step in and escort the unruly guests off the property without incident.

 

It’s Confidential

Celebrities and socialites have a reputation to protect and want to keep their personal lives private. A big concern is their personal information, e.g. pictures and detailed information regarding them being sold to tabloids and the media. One advantage of contracting with professional bodyguard services is a signed confidentiality agreement with the client that states the company will not disclose any personal information that might have been gained during the bodyguard’s attachment with the client.

 

What Skills Do Bodyguards Have?

 

Professional bodyguards are highly-trained and equipped with the skills to neutralize and defend their client against any possible external threat. Bodyguards know how to blend in with the crowd or show their presence to discourage those looking for trouble.

Whatever the case maybe,

Publicists, managers, promoters, etc. can relax and let the bodyguard take over and protect the client and assure their peace of mind in the great city of Austin. Some may enjoy the festivities in a calm setting with only a small group, while others may want to get out there and experience the entire aura of Austin. Whether big or small, bodyguard services are a must for celebrities and socialites visiting the Music Capital of the World.

 

Call on SRS Services, a company you can trust to handle your protection matters discreetly; also be sure to check out our “Compare” page while you shop around for security services.

Posted in BODYGUARDS, BUSINESS SECURITY, SPECIAL EVENT SECURITY

Robbery Prevention Tips for Businesses

Robbery is a crime that everyone is familiar with. You hear about it on the radio, see coverage on your local news stations, and read headlines on the internet and newsstands. But how prepared are you in the event someone walks into your establishment, pulls out a gun, and says “Don’t move?” What do you do? What procedures do you have in place? Is your staff trained to react in this instance?

Robbery occurs when thieves believe there is enough profit in the endeavor to outweigh any risks. You are less likely to experience a theft if the robber(s) perceives limited potential profit and a high risk of being caught. Just because your business dose not keep cash on hand does not mean the criminals are aware of this and may see you as an easy target.

Whether it is a bank robbery, convenient store robbery, robbery at a church, etc., the following tips can provide a wealth of help in the event a robbery occurs at your business.

 

Robbery Prevention Tips to Follow –

 

Discouraging a Robbery  

• Have a security officer patrol your property thus providing a high level of security presence and deterrent to criminal activity; statistically, crimes are less likely to occur if you have posted on-site security.
• Ensure that signs and displays are not causing an obstruction to the view of the customer service area from the street.
• Think about installing surveillance cameras or alarms in addition to having posted security officers; even non-functioning cameras fool some would-be criminals into thinking they are real and may go elsewhere.
• Make sure to have strong lighting by all doorways.
• Make sure everything can be seen clearly throughout your property.

 

Be Cautious of your Surroundings

• Follow your instincts. If you feel as if something just doesn’t seem right when it comes to a situation or person, you are most likely correct.
• If you see a suspicious car, truck, or van in the parking lot of your place of business, make a note of the make and model, and the license number.
• Always be aware of who is in your establishment and where they are.
• When unlocking or locking up the premises, check for any unusual movement around you.
• Suspect those who come into your business wearing clothing that’s wrong for the season – pay extra attention to coats, hoodies, and clothes that are a few sizes too big.

 

Opening and Closing Procedures

• Make it a firm policy that at least two employees are always present together during the process of opening up and closing for the day.
• When you (or your opening staff) get to the business at the start of day, check around the building watching for any people or vehicles that don’t belong there, as well as signs of forced entry, attempted break-ins or vandalism.
• Upon closing, be sure to check all areas to ensure that no one is hiding on the premises.
• Don’t let anyone in once the business has closed.
• Implement safety procedures traveling to and from your business and home.
• Scan your location looking for any vehicles that might be following you.
• Take down the license plate number of any vehicle that seems suspicious.
• Don’t always take the same way to and from work and home.
• Know exactly where your area’s police and fire stations are. If you believe someone is following you, call the police, give a description of the vehicle and driver (passengers if any) and go to the police station nearest you.
• Have a professional security consultant come and assess your property and give some recommendations or suggestions to improve the security and safety on your property.

 

The focus needs to be on surviving the crime. Don’t start a fight or aggravate the perpetrator; it’s not worth risking your well-being for any amount of money.

 

Actions to Take During a Robbery

• Don’t offer any resistance and stay calm.
• Don’t put your safety at risk by doing anything foolish.
• Do what the robber says, but not more than that.
• Tell the robber you won’t offer any resistance and if you have to make any unusual movements, advise him.
• Everything but your life can be replaced, give the robber the item or money they are seeking; statically, they are going to get it anyway.
• Never get into a vehicle or allow yourself to be taken away from the location – the fight should end there.

 

 

Be sure to capture:

• A good physical description of the suspects including clothing, facial hair, scars, tattoos, their speech anything.
• The number of perpetrators involved and the details of how they got away. Obtain the license number of their vehicle if you are safely able to do so.
• All elements of the perpetrator’s physical description – odd features of the robber like a scar or tattoo.
• Whatever the perpetrators are saying to one another.
• The appearance of any weapon for future description.
• To assist the police in locating fingerprints, do your best to notice and remember the items handled by the robber.

 

Steps to take after the theft occurs:

• Call the police right away, even during the incident and set the phone down. The police will be listening  to everything going on often with the suspect not even knowing your phone is on and connected to 911
• Once you dial 911, be sure to remain on the telephone to provide assistance as long as needed.
• Don’t disturb the crime scene. Don’t put your hands on anything.
• Secure the premises for the police, letting no one in or out before their arrival.
• Everyone who’s witnessed the act needs to make a written description of the perpetrators. To avoid muddling anyone’s memory, carry on no conversations either about the robbery itself or about the perpetrator’s description.
• Get the contact information for any witness who finds it necessary to leave.

 

 

Robbery Preparation 

• Although a robbery is unpleasant to consider and even more, to go through, you want to be ready just in case one occurs. Frequently review the actions that need to be taken if an emergency happens so that these actions become automatic. Meet on a regular basis so a plan is created and discussed.
• A helpful plan might be:
• Telling staff members what to do if a robbery occurs, including not resisting
• Developing signals, ahead of time, that can be used between staff members
• Knowing when to trigger or not trigger an alarm
• Steps for police notification
• Getting the description of the suspect and/or vehicle
• Planning an escape route

 

 

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and regional law enforcement announce the implementation of a new regional crime reduction venture – see more here

 

Your best solution for robbery prevention is to have posted security guards at your location. Your security officers will be able to note suspicious individuals casing your property as well as look for those who stand out in the crowd as potential threats.

It is up to you to take the proper steps in putting your safety and the safety of your employees as a priority. Reduce the risk of your business becoming a target by paying close attention to each robbery prevention tip… go a step further and contact a reliable security guard service today.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, HOME SECURITY, PERSONAL SECURITY

Austin Cellular Phone Store Burglaries

Cell phone burglaries are increasing and thieves aren’t letting up. With the latest cellular phones hitting the market and selling at a retail price of $400 or more, criminals are anxiously wanting a piece of the action.

More and more police departments are receiving reports of cellular phone store burglaries. Thousands of dollars in losses due to stolen equipment and property damages are becoming a norm regarding cell phone companies.

The target of burglars in many of these crimes has been high-end cell phones like iPhones, Samsung Galaxies and Notes.

Cellular Phone Store Burglaries Increasing Throughout Texas

Criminals are stealing the phones, shipping them out of the country to have them activated and selling them at double the price.

Some of the criminals have gained access to the cellular phone stores simply by breaking the glass to the storefront and entering the property; others have attempted to remove the entrance door with a chain attached to a getaway vehicle; while some have crashed their vehicles into the store; and the more clever criminals have masterminded a way to access the property through either the roof or roof vents.

News Reports of Criminals Gone Wild –

30 stores throughout southern California were burglarized from November 2012 until May 9, 2013; police set up a sting capturing 5 suspects linked to the string of cellular phone thefts.

In Houston, TX: “A surveillance camera caught the crash on video. It shows the vehicle smashing through the burglar bars and then backing out of the store. Three suspects wearing hoodies then ran in and stole several phones before speeding away in the truck.

Officers said the men involved in the crime have probably hit other stores in similar fashion. The truck they used, which was reported stolen two hours before the smash-and-grab, was found at a nearby apartment complex.” KHou.com

Increase in Cell Phone Thefts

Amarillo cell phone store robbed at gunpoint:

“Two female employees working at the time of the robbery told police that a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded money and phones. One employee went to the back room with the man and gave him cash. The man also took three phones from the store and left. He was last seen running north from the store. The suspect was wearing a black ski mask and a black hooded sweatshirt.”

Man arrested for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in mobile phone devices:

“The investigations in Arkansas consisted of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Cabot, Beebe, Stuttgart, Magnolia, and Lonoke. It is estimated the property taken from these burglaries is around $300,000. The property consisted of electronic equipment in the form of smart phones and iPads. The businesses which had been burglarized were cell phone stores.  The reports show a similar method of entry in each Central Arkansas theft. The suspect broke into the back door of a store and often times cut wires to the store’s surveillance video before the thefts took place.”

As technology advances, so does the increase in cellular phone thefts

These stories continue to pile up regarding cell phone store burglaries… all cases reported seem to have a common denominator: none of the stores had a security guard service.

Most stores had a surveillance camera system but all that did was record the crime taking place with little to no description of the suspects committing the crime, and in one case, it captured the license plate of a stolen vehicle used to commit the crime but nothing further.

Had these store owners and managers invested in a security guard service, more than likely, these criminals would have gone to the next cellular phone company that did not have a guard on location.

As times get harder and jobs get harder to come by, crime will continue to rise and criminals will react accordingly. Criminals have discovered a way to build a quick gold mine from the cellular phone industry, and unless manufacturers of these phones come up with a way to prevent activation, more and more wireless mobile companies will be reporting property damages and losses.

To avoid becoming a target of cellular phone store burglaries, call on SRS Services; we will keep your phones, equipment, devices and staff properly protected.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, SECURITY GUARDS

How To Prevent Car Lot Theft In Austin

There have been many reports detailing spikes in auto thefts throughout Austin, Texas. Thefts at auto dealerships are nothing new to any of us; thieves have been heading right to that source for years, and why not? Often, car lots are unmanned with no security and they offer a wealth of parts, electronics, and items car thieves want. The fact that most parts and vehicles are in great condition at car lots makes them all even more enticing and tasty to any car thief.

Police have implemented strategies to reduce car burglaries

Over the last two decades there have been considerable efforts made by local law enforcement agencies to control the rate of car thefts by creating awareness and increasing patrols. You may see “crime awareness signs” and warnings reminding you to lock your doors posted in many locations, along with threats of possible “bait cars” even being parked in the parking lot, all in an effort to scare away thieves… but, the fact is that these efforts have only had limited effect, as car theft is still considerably high, and is unstoppable.

But…

The fact that it is unstoppable by any efforts from law enforcement leaves you with only one card to play, that is, to ensure that although car thefts will continue to happen, they just won’t happen on your car lot.

Interestingly, out of all the different forms of car thefts, the rate of vehicles stolen from parking lots is the highest. It seems as if parking lots are the easiest targets for car thieves. Knowing there is a good chance that vehicles can be easily stolen, the question is: what are auto dealerships doing to prevent car lot thefts? Some auto dealerships may take the stance that the cars on their lots actually belong to the banks and/or are insured. This may be true, however it will get to the point where the banks no longer want to fund or back those vehicles, and/or insurance companies may start raising rates and canceling policies if the dealers do nothing about it.

In recent news:

One hundred and forty 20-inch wheels and tires were stolen from a Dallas car lot. Police say 15 vehicles were blocked up with cemented blocks; a total of 60 wheels and tires were taken. Police added, a citizen driving by noticed some missing wheels and reported it that morning – Dallas news.

Sadly that story is very common and not only are tires being taken from the vehicles but catalytic converters, mufflers, taillights, radios, airbags, etc. are being targeted as well. Even used cars are being stolen as thieves are filling orders from customers that have older cars and need replacement parts – so no vehicle is safe whether it’s a new car lot or a used car lot.

Car lot thefts come in waves?

The rate of car burglaries doesn’t remain the same throughout the year, it rises and falls. Law enforcement experts believe these “waves” in thefts indicate there are well-organized groups behind the crimes. These groups target and operate in a specific area for a certain time frame and before the police can get any leads on them, they move on to the next area.

Q:  Why do these groups target parking lots in particular?

A:   The answer is, the majority of parking lots are unprotected and don’t have any or very little security, e.g. surveillance cameras and security guards. A criminal and/or spotter can watch your lot one night and tell whether you have security guards, if you have cameras, where the cameras are, and where the easiest points of entry and exit are located.

Cameras no longer scare criminals away – simply wearing a mask and gloves, to include removing the license plates off the suspect’s vehicle, renders your expensive camera system useless. You will arrive back to your car lot in the morning to see that several vehicles have been stolen or that parts were taken from them; however, your camera system will have great footage of the masked men committing the crime and driving away free as a bird… so cameras are not always the best answer.

How to protect yourself against car lot theft?

A camera system isn’t bad it just can’t be a stand-alone item; it can easily be defeated by a criminal simply wearing a mask – also, a camera cannot call the police or handcuff a suspect. Your best bet in protecting your car lot is to have a security officer posted on your property for the hours that you are not there.

Nothing beats having a uniformed officer making foot patrols and approaching suspicious individuals, to include investigating unusual activities. While some auto dealership owners will elect to have random vehicle patrol services which includes a security office patrolling your property every other hour; this is not the right tool.

A vehicle patrol service will not discourage a determined criminal who is watching the time intervals of the vehicle patrol service and waiting for the guard to exit your property, leaving the criminal ample enough time to take exactly what he’s had his eyes on. Again, a posted uniformed officer on your property will provide the best desired effects to eliminate theft.

The key to preventing car lot theft  

The chances of a car lot being burglarized is more likely than not; so why risk losing thousands of dollars? Taking proper security measures will intimidate criminals and help to eliminate the chances of your property being stolen. A security guard service can quickly reduce spikes in auto thefts occurring throughout Austin.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, SECURITY GUARDS

Movie Theater Security Guards: Are They Necessary?

Having security guards at cinemas… one would think this is a no-brainer. Whenever hundreds of people are joined at one location, there should definitely be security staff on board. Huge crowds equate to different personalities, backgrounds, ages, and the list goes on; the smallest incident such as an accidental nudge can snowball into something completely out of control.

Who will step in quickly to defuse the problem; the theater staff? These individuals are not trained in crowd control or any other security-related issue.

Should all Theaters have Security Guards

 

Even though the state police are quite efficient across the country, it still takes them some time to respond to a location; hence, if there are professionals who are capable of neutralizing any such vulnerability at theaters, movie lovers would feel a lot safer if they were employed.

 

Billions of dollars each year are generated because of movie goers; the very least that can be done is to provide extra security at movie theaters.

July 20, 2012, a date that will never be forgotten: one gunman killed 12 and injured 48 people at Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado.

This, and other events in the past, gives birth to questions like: is cinema security necessary? Security analysts and other experts, including attorney Marc Bern, believe that the above-mentioned incident could have been avoided had Cinemark appointed security guards at the theater.

In the course of these events, there has now begun an ongoing debate between those individuals who believe that the best way to counter any such events in the future is to allow the citizenry to carry concealed firearms in public areas and those who oppose this notion and advocate that the best solution is to increase manpower dedicated to the security in these locations.

Some theater owners agree with the latter sub-demographic and have decided that the best way of ensuring security is to appoint security guards at their locations and increase the amount of physical security, i.e. manpower.

 

At two theaters in New Orleans, security personnel now “pat down” each and every individual for weapons.

 

Think that’s extreme?

If it prevents headline news from occurring like that of July 20, 2012, then it is well worth it.

 

The fact is that movie theater security guards can be beneficial in more ways than one. Aside from preventing gunman attacks and incorporating a sense of security to the customers, security guards can also help solve the problem of movie-hopping – when an individual buys just one ticket and ends up watching two or three. Security personnel can also ensure protection against theft or robberies at theaters.

 

Movie Theater Security Guards are Necessary

 

Today, security is one of the biggest issues that the entertainment, especially the film industry is facing. No one wants to endanger their lives for the cost of watching a movie at a theater. Some theater owners have realized the intensity of the situation and are acting to counter any such events in the future.

Even if increasing security means higher costs and reduced inefficiencies for theater management, the top most priority should be to ensure customer security so that the customers keep coming back.

 

To ensure movie goers are able to enjoy a movie without wondering if their safety is on the line, appointing security guards and increasing the security level at movie theaters is a must! Call on SRS Services today to fulfill your security needs.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, SECURITY GUARDS

Copper Theft Prevention

Being knowledgeable about copper theft can save your business thousands of dollars. Whether you have an apartment complex, construction site, office building, vacant home, etc., you are on a Targeted List. Why? To thieves, copper is the new Gold Rush and has been for the last few years. The current price for copper has been increasing which means thieves get a higher payday when they recycle (cash-in) your stolen copper.

There is currently an empire being built around this; reason being is due to accessibility, being untraceable, and a rise in the price of copper.

Copper has jumped from $1.50 a pound in 2008 to $4.50-$5.00 a pound (present day), so it racks up quickly when these guys turn a couple hundred pounds a day.

Why is Copper Theft Increasing?

 

“People steal copper wire and pipe and sell it by the pound,” according to Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid; some get creative and mastermind a complete heist. There have been reports where criminals have taken more than 300 feet of copper pipe used for air conditioning and more than 2,000 feet of cable used for a communications company – the group of thieves cut down the cable from telephone poles and hauled it away, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

 

The Snowball effect…

“It’s not just the cost or loss of the copper, thieves also leave water gushing out of pipes, walls and floors torn and ripped apart to gain access which causes thousands of dollars in damages just getting to the copper, this is a major devastation to any home builder or property owner”- Security Expert Glenn Jones added.

“Once thieves strip copper pipes and other metals from a vacant home, conventional financing is harder to obtain and the sale price could plummet,” said Eric Berman, spokesman for the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

 

Who, what, when, where…whyyyyy???

This type of theft is occurring both day and night; thieves work alone or in groups – many look homeless, dress in very casual clothing, or try to blend in and look like construction workers. Very few tools are needed to do this and because of copper’s light weight, a bag full of it can be bent and carried off by one person. Often they will return to the same area, especially vacant apartment buildings, construction sites and new home developments, as they know very few people are there and no one is watching; they use the structure itself to hide inside while committing their crime.

 

 How to Prevent Copper Theft?

 

What can you do?

Lights and fences won’t deter these perpetrators at all, as they are after the gold that is inside your property and they will stop at nothing to get it; also, purchasing surveillance cameras won’t be much help, you’ll be lucky if you capture a glimpse of the person’s profile. Remember cameras don’t stop crime they just record it. This type of crime can only be stopped with a posted officer on the property.

For the price you’ll pay for having just one apartment or home victimized, you could have a uniformed and posted guard on your property for a month. Yes, you may have insurance; however, the new repairs will delay your sale or lease of the home or property which costs you even more money. Often, insurance rates will increase and they will not allow too many claims before they demand security, increase your rates, or cancel your policy – something to consider.

 

Remove yourself from the targeted list and eliminate the frustration of dealing with your insurance company and increased rates. To prevent copper theft on your property, give SRS Services a call now!

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, HOME SECURITY

Surveillance Systems versus Guards

Surveillance systems can aid you in the event a crime occurs at your place of business; there’s no denying that. Cameras can help deter crime to a degree, but the bottom line is, no matter how many cameras you have, just how good are they if you only capture an image or a blur of a crime being committed on your property?

 

Cameras do NOT prevent or stop crime, they only record it; with that said, can you identify the suspect in the above picture caught on camera? No, you can’t – Exactly.

 

Caught on Tape

Surveillance cameras can only record what is taking place, which means, if an individual were to enter your establishment wearing a ski mask and fully clothed, all the camera would be able to record is the incident – no detailed or specific physical description of the perpetrator would be captured except for the clothing he was wearing, which can easily be removed and trashed or burned. This leaves law enforcement with little to no detailed information and a very low chance of catching the criminal.

 

 Cameras vs. Guards

If there was a trained security officer on the premises, you would be able to have the professional step in and prevent you from becoming a victim. The risk of a robbery or other crimes decrease significantly when criminals know there are security officers on site ensuring the property remains protected at all times.

 

Perpetrators aren’t looking to go to jail or possibly get injured; they want to get in, get out, and move on to the next easy target. Most businesses don’t realize the effects of not having a guard on their property until they’ve lost thousands of dollars in theft and damages and their insurance premiums have been increased.

 

Will surveillance systems capture everything?

 

Uh Oh… The camera doesn’t record that area of the property

 

Another thing to remember, unless you’re paying top dollar for a surveillance system which covers every zone, zooms in, picks up on movement, has night vision and color, surveillance cameras only pick up on the location in which they are pointed in, leaving many blind spots throughout the property and/or useless footage of shadows –translation: you won’t be able to see or record what took place in the blind spots or shadows.

 

On the other hand, a trained security professional will be able to monitor all areas of your business, alert to sounds, smells, activity out of camera view, and patrol the parts of your property that the surveillance cameras CANNOT capture and record. Most importantly, even if a camera records a break-in, the camera cannot secure your property until the next morning, however, a guard can.

 

Camera systems were never meant to take the place of a guard service, only to add to and increase the level of protection.

 

Some camera companies (who are not security guard providers) will tell you that their system is monitored 24 hours a day and they’ll contact the police if they see anything occur on your property. What they don’t tell you is that whoever is monitoring your cameras is also monitoring hundreds of other cameras all over the state and usually done from far away locations.

What happens IF the camera operator gets distracted?   He can easily miss activity on your property.

What happens IF the camera operator does see a crime in progress?   He will call the police and have the police respond, depending on response time, the suspects may have already gone…again, a guard on the property can stop this at once.

 

While surveillance cameras keep track of things taking place in/around your establishment, they aren’t going to be able to provide you with all the benefits that a trained guard will be able to offer you.

 

Disadvantages of Surveillance cameras:

 

• #1 Very costly: per camera, DVR, installation, etc., can run you thousands of dollars and they still won’t stop a break-in or an assault, not to mention a monthly monitoring fee that you pay and hope some is watching.
• They can’t approach a suspicious person on your property and determine  good or bad. *Note: the police will not like to be called by your camera company each time they detect movement or a shadow.
• Cameras can be destroyed by the perpetrator, and their monitor will no longer have “eyes on” your property for the remaining events.
• Adequate lighting and/or expensive night vision cameras are needed to view activity on your property at night or in dark areas, without this added expense your wasting your time getting a camera system in the first place.
• The upkeep can be fairly expensive, with camera providers always wanting you to “upgrade” or “swap them out.”
• If power goes out due to natural causes or incident caused by the perpetrator, nothing can be recorded unless you have generators and battery backup – even “off-site storage” won’t work if there is a complete power outage as internet and cameras need power. If a camera goes out at 3:00am is your camera company coming out right away to replace it? (probably not which leaves you exposed).
• Resolution has to be great day and night or you’ll capture a blur, this results in thousands of dollars for a good system. Any camera provider will tell you that a $500.00 plug in play system in a box and sold at your electronic store is not going to provide good quality, so your back up to spending thousands of dollars to get what you want; and at that it is still limited.
• Cameras can’t advise you or law enforcement of suspicious indicators (off camera) prior to a crime, guards can.
• Cameras can’t question anyone or make an arrest, nor will they stand guard over your property after a break-in occurs, leaving your property exposed.

 

See how in less than 5 minutes these burglars gained access to a property, which was all caught on tape (Click Here). Could you give a good, clear physical description based on what you just saw?

 

However…

 

A security officer can approach suspicious individuals noted on your property and quickly contact law enforcement if observing a possible crime about to happen. The security professional is also equipped with lighting and a vehicle if the power were to shut off on the property; the officer would be properly trained to handle this scenario and immediately report to you and inform you of activity on your property. The security officer could also make an arrest right then and there, then call the police.

 

Two for the price of One

Some guard services will suggest you have surveillance cameras installed throughout your property to complement their services; this will allow them to monitor the premises better and give them an additional tool they can use to help combat potential crimes from occurring; but again, just as a supplement, not a main tool.

 

It is an investment to make sure that your property is protected, and again keep in mind that cameras don’t stop crime they only record it.

 

A good starting point:

Speak with an Austin-based security guard service to help you determine precisely what your business needs are.

Most business owners would rather have a crime stopped or a suspect placed into custody as opposed to arriving the next day to a break-in, then only being able to watch a video about it; which would you like?

 

Don’t wait to have your video surveillance record a crime on your property – contact SRS Services today and have a security officer that will not only monitor your property but step in and protect your assets.

Posted in BUSINESS SECURITY, HOME SECURITY