Business Crime Prevention

Computers are frequently stolen from closed businesses. Generally, a glass door or window is broken to gain entry. Computers are often visible from the outside and are easily targeted. These units not only contain data that is vital to a business, but personal information on clients/customers that can be used for identity theft.

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center recommends that all businesses take a close look at the way their office space is laid out. When you are standing outside, can you see computers through the windows? Can the computers be quickly removed? If so, placing them in an inner office behind a sturdy locking door would be wise. Another option is to secure them in a metal holder that can be braced in front and either bolted to the floor, desk or other fixed object. The more difficult you make it for a burglar to take your computers, the longer a burglar will have to work on removing them. With a good alarm system that will alert law enforcement in case of a theft, remaining inside your business will not be in the criminal’s best interests.

The most serious recurring crime investigated by Cerritos Sheriff’s personnel is robbery. These crimes occur on streets, parking lots, banks, fast food restaurants and retail venues. The current rate of solving robberies is approximately 25 percent, but in reality, less than one in 10 robbers is caught, convicted, and sentenced to prison.

All robberies at least have the victim as a witness. Unfortunately, witnesses often cannot positively identify the suspect or provide good information upon which to conduct an investigation. Sometimes, even when victims positively identify the perpetrator(s) in court, it may end up being a “one-on-one” case resulting in a hung jury. Without something more than the victim’s statement, even robbers that are caught may not be held accountable for this serious crime.

One of the most crucial tools that detectives can use to solve a robbery is a clear image of the perpetrator(s) provided by a still camera or video system. This greatly aids the investigation by producing a true picture of those involved, and alleviates the need to rely on witness descriptions for the preparation of a composite drawing. Unfortunately, when investigating robberies, Cerritos Sheriff’s detectives have found that most businesses are not equipped with any type of video surveillance system, or do not have one that provides a useful picture of the suspect. Some of the most common problems encountered are poor picture quality due to old or used tapes, improper camera angles, and failure to change tapes in a timely manner or even load the video recorder with a tape in the first place.

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center is requesting that businesses review their existing system to determine exactly how effective it is. The quality of the images and the angles of the camera(s) where a robbery suspect might stand during a crime are very important. Make sure that the camera angle is adjusted to ensure a good image of the suspect’s face. This is very important.

Failure to periodically check and maintain a video surveillance system almost guarantees that the crime of robbery in your business will never be solved. Keep in mind that robbers continually commit this crime and often hurt victims and witnesses. The sooner these dangerous criminals are caught, the fewer such crimes can be committed in the future and the safer your business and city will be. Help Cerritos detectives by inspecting your system today.

Robbery is a crime "against the person" and a frightening experience. It can result in injury or even death to the victim. To protect your business from robbery, it is important to remember to take preventive measures and make it obvious that those measures have been taken.

Methods for discouraging a robbery:

• Lock unused doors.
• Avoid working alone. If you must, turn on a hidden radio or TV so robbers will think there is someone with you.
• Vary the schedule and route for your bank deposits each day, only keeping necessary cash in the drawer. Then, if you are robbed, you’ll reduce your losses.
• Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passers-by. Arrange the counter so that the customer—or robber—is visible from the street.
• Avoid placing signs or displays near windows which block visibility from the street.
• Record the serial number of the bottom bill in each bin of the cash drawer, and instruct employees not to use these bills in making change.
• Keep "bait" money in a spare compartment of cash registers. The bait packet should be separated by face value as other bills. Keep a list of the serial and series year numbers to give to law enforcement officials if you are robbed.
• If your business runs an exceptionally high risk of robbery, you may want to invest in a bulletproof cashier screen. A screen diminishes the robber’s threat, but other prevention measures may be equally effective at a lower cost.
• Display signs at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys not in possession of employees.
• Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations.
• Develop a mutual aid system among stores on your block. Agree to keep an eye on each other’s buildings and watch for any suspicious activities. Install "buddy buzzer" alarms so you can signal your neighbor to call the police if you are being robbed.
• Place colored tape markers at exits, at heights of 5-feet, 6-inches and 6-feet. Then, if you are robbed, you can get an accurate estimate of the suspect’s height as he leaves.
• A robbery may be over in less than a minute. You need a quick eye to get a good look at the robber. That’s why some stores place hidden cameras behind cash registers.

What to do if a robbery occurs:

• If s omeone points a gun at you and demands your money, give it to him. Never refuse a robber!
• If you have a silent alarm and can reach it unnoticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves. (Use your alarm with care. Excessive false alarms can cause problems for law enforcement and you.)
• If possible, signal other employees. Have a prearranged signal for such emergencies. Again, if the robber will see you, wait. Try to avoid sudden moves. Many robbers are just as nervous as you are.
• The most important thing to do if you’re robbed: OBSERVE. The description of the suspect you give to police may be the only information they have to go on.

Steps to take after a robbery:

1. Call the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center at (562) 860-0044 immediately—don’t waste a minute.
2. Write down everything you can remember about the robber and the crime itself: his appearance—height, weight, color of hair and eyes, scars, tattoos, accent, anything unusual—and as much as possible about his clothing, weapon and mannerisms.
3. Try to remember the robber’s exact words and try to observe any vehicle the robber uses to get away.
4. Keep everyone away from surfaces the robber may have touched.
5. Cooperate fully with law enforcement representatives and prosecutors. Your help is crucial, so stick with the case.

Shoplifters assume they won't be caught. Prove them wrong by following these tips.

Put a stop to shoplifting:

• Alert employees may be your best defense. Have them greet customers when they enter the store. Teach them to be attentive in a helping way. Make sure that all your employees are familiar with shoplifting laws in your state and establish procedures for them to follow if they suspect shoplifting.
• Make sure you can see everything that goes on in your store. Keep counters low, no more than waist-high. Mount mirrors in corners so there are no blind spots.
• Make it hard to leave your store without paying. Place expensive items in the center of the store, away from exits. Arrange counters and display tables so there's no direct route to the exit. Some stores put turnstiles at entrances so the only way to get out is through the checkout counter.
• Arrange your displays so that missing items are easily noticed. Place small items in neat rows or patterns. If you must, fasten expensive merchandise and attach alarms. Reverse alternate hangers of hanging garments to prevent "grab and run."
• Announce and observe a policy to prosecute shoplifters. The threat of being caught, questioned by police, put on trial and maybe even put in jail, may be enough to turn most shoplifters away. If someone ignores your warning, follow through. An empty threat is meaningless.

Common shoplifting methods:

• Bulky clothing, such as coats, pants, maternity outfits, are often used to hide merchandise.
• Packages, bags, knapsacks and purses are good hiding places.
• Special props include hollowed-out books, fake casts, umbrellas, secret pockets, belts or hooks under coats.
• Folded newspapers or magazines are used to hide small and/or flat items.

What to watch for:

• Be aware of customers’ hands and their pockets, purses and handkerchiefs.
• Notice open packages, purses, shopping bags and knapsacks.
• Watch for customers who are nervous, have wandering eyes, or are loitering.
• Watch groups of people, especially if one attempts to keep you distracted.

Employees are Not Exempt

Some experts believe that businesses lose more to employee theft than to burglary, robbery and shoplifting combined. Examine your management practices. Make your employees feel that they’ve got a stake in your business.

Embezzlement and Pilferage

Sometimes employees only take a few items, like office supplies. Or they use company equipment, like cars or copying machines, for personal purposes. But embezzlement and pilferage can get a lot bigger. Cashiers may use "short ring ups" -- ringing up a lower price on the sales register to cover money they’ve taken from the till. Or they may overcharge customers and pocket the difference or undercharge other employees and friends. Embezzlement can go from simple overloading of expense accounts, to payments made to non-existent suppliers, to complicated juggling of the company books.

Watch out for these signals of embezzlement:

• Records being rewritten so they’ll look "neater."
• Inventory shortages increasing in size or frequency.
• Employees refusing vacations or promotions.
• Business patterns changing when a certain employee is absent.
• Customers complaining about errors in monthly statements.
• Collections declining.
• Employees seeming sensitive to routine questions about procedures.

Inventory Control

Unfortunately, there are many ways dishonest employees can cheat their employers. A cashier in a grocery store "accidentally" damages boxes and cans so she can buy them at reduced prices. A maintenance worker stashes office supplies like calculators and typewriters in trash bins. A stock clerk saves discarded customer receipts and uses them to show that stolen goods were "paid for."

Your best defense is frequent and thorough inventory control. Limit employees’ access to stock and inventory records. Occasionally check trash bins. Conduct periodic, unexpected inventory checks so dishonest employees know they run the risk of being caught by surprise.

Computer Fraud

Many smaller companies are turning to computers for checkout, billing, inventory records and payroll. The technology may be new, but the crimes are the same—theft, larceny, embezzlement, fraud.

Here are some tips to help protect your business from computer crooks:

• Make sure your computer is programmed to reveal unauthorized use or program alterations.
• Separate computer programmer and operator functions.
• Minimize after-hours access to and use of the computer.
• Make sure programs contain a statement of ownership.
• Monitor and log all inputs and outputs.

Bribery and Kickbacks

The employee who lets a business secret slip for a price. The loading supervisor who ignores a short order for a little fee. The contracting officer who’ll speed things up for a small present. These are all examples of bribery. It may not seem like a big problem at first. After all, who cares if somebody does a little favor for a business associate? But these little favors can mean big trouble.

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Purchasing agents using one supplier despite a company policy of rotating suppliers.
• Employees frequently associating with vendors or suppliers.
• Employees receiving free tickets for sports events, shows, etc.
• Reputable businesses refusing to submit bids.
• One person having responsibility for issuing and approving bids.

To fight the problem, institute strong policies against accepting gifts, make sure employees require competitive bids, and rotate purchasing agents and suppliers.

The following business practices and good management will help prevent many of these problems.

Tighten Your Hiring Practices

Require job applicants to fill out a detailed application form. Then use it to contact all references and former employers.

Maintain Separate Functions

The bookkeeper should never handle cash. The person who makes the purchases should not be the person who pays the bills. Your accounting system should enforce accountability through a series of checks and balances. Each function should serve as a check on all the transactions that went before. Have an independent company audit your books every year.

Set a Good Personal Example

The boss who takes merchandise and office supplies without paying encourages employees to do the same.

Keep Employee Morale High

Employees who are treated fairly and generously are far less likely to "rip off" their boss. So get to know your employees better. Ask for their opinions or suggesions, and seriously consider them. Involve your employees in effective crime prevention practices. Consider starting a profit-sharing program. Make sure your salary rates are competitive; an underpaid employee may feel that stealing from you merely "makes up the difference."

Your business should have a strict check and credit card approval procedure.

Follow the following tips: 

• For checks, require a driver’s license as a source of identification
• Train your employees to "read" the check carefully and write down all the information, and verify the signature and the physical description
• Don’t cash two-party checks
• Be cautious about out-of-area checks
• Look at credit cards to be sure they haven’t been altered. Compare signatures on the charge slip; for added security, ask for a driver's license as extra identification
• Be extra wary of customers trying to rush approval, customers who distract the cashier with excessive conversation or confusion, customers who use checks with low serial numbers or checks with erasures or write-overs, or customers who buy and carry out items without really looking at them or the price, especially if that item could be pawned
• Watch for checks that are undated, post-dated or dated over 30 days; accept only those checks written in ink with no erasures or written-over amounts
• Do not accept Social Security cards, library cards, work permits or voter registration cards as identification
• Decide which checks you will accept and set a limit on the amount
• The information from the identification cards should be copied down on the checks along with the amount of purchase and the employee’s signature
• Be sure questionable checks or credit card purchases require approval by a senior manager
• Use "hot sheets." Call to check with the credit card company or bank for larger amounts or questionable checks