Crime Prevention Seminar2011

Robert C. DevineRobert C. Devine

Executive OfficerExecutive Officer

Stoughton Police DepartmentStoughton Police Department

Crime Prevention Triangle

Break-Ins and Burglary Reduce opportunitiesReduce opportunities

Doors and locksDoors and locks WindowsWindows Exterior entrancesExterior entrances

Increase risk of being caughtIncrease risk of being caught LightingLighting AlarmsAlarms SurveillanceSurveillance

Reduce expected rewardsReduce expected rewards Property markingProperty marking Target removalTarget removal

Beware of Re-victimization

1.1. Inform other businesses in the area of what Inform other businesses in the area of what happened because they are also at risk.happened because they are also at risk.

2.2. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.

3.3. Follow a routine to make sure the building is Follow a routine to make sure the building is properly secured.properly secured.

4.4. Notify the police of the incident. Notify the police of the incident. 5.5. Police “Text a tip”Police “Text a tip”

Employee Theft

Don’t hire thieves in the first placeDon’t hire thieves in the first place Always perform background checksAlways perform background checks Consider dishonesty testsConsider dishonesty tests Interview more than onceInterview more than once

Theft at Point of Sale Cash registers are vulnerable areas in many stores. Dishonest employees can Cash registers are vulnerable areas in many stores. Dishonest employees can

steal from you quite easily unless you know the signs and how to prevent this steal from you quite easily unless you know the signs and how to prevent this kind of theft. kind of theft.

1) Watch out for loose change, match sticks, or bits of paper with markings on 1) Watch out for loose change, match sticks, or bits of paper with markings on them around the cash register area. These are often used by cashiers to help them around the cash register area. These are often used by cashiers to help them remember the amount of extra money in the till that is to be pocketed them remember the amount of extra money in the till that is to be pocketed later. For example, a nickel means five dollars, a penny one dollar, and so on. later. For example, a nickel means five dollars, a penny one dollar, and so on. When questioned about the loose change, the cashier can simply say a When questioned about the loose change, the cashier can simply say a customer forgot her change. Match sticks or bits of paper can be dismissed by customer forgot her change. Match sticks or bits of paper can be dismissed by cashiers as trash. cashiers as trash.

2) Be extra suspicious of cashiers who keep a small calculator close to the cash 2) Be extra suspicious of cashiers who keep a small calculator close to the cash register.register.

3) Make sure 3) Make sure customerscustomers can see the amount rung up on the cash register. If the can see the amount rung up on the cash register. If the display is turned away from their view or is covered, this could mean the display is turned away from their view or is covered, this could mean the cashier is under-ringing purchases in order to pocket the money later.cashier is under-ringing purchases in order to pocket the money later.

4) Look out for an excessive number of "NO SALES." These can be used as a 4) Look out for an excessive number of "NO SALES." These can be used as a way of opening up the cash drawer when there is no one around to take out way of opening up the cash drawer when there is no one around to take out money and pocket it.money and pocket it.

5) Also watch out for an excessive number of "VOIDS." This could mean the 5) Also watch out for an excessive number of "VOIDS." This could mean the cashier is canceling sales that actually occurred in order to pocket that amount cashier is canceling sales that actually occurred in order to pocket that amount of money.of money.

Refunds

1. People steal merchandise from the business and then 1. People steal merchandise from the business and then return them for a refund (either to the business from return them for a refund (either to the business from where they took the item, or to any other participating where they took the item, or to any other participating stores).stores).

2. Staff members keep the receipts from previous sales 2. Staff members keep the receipts from previous sales and use them to process refunds later on (usually cash, and use them to process refunds later on (usually cash, but sometimes credit card).but sometimes credit card).

3. People buy merchandise at sale prices and then 3. People buy merchandise at sale prices and then return them for a full-priced refund at a later date.return them for a full-priced refund at a later date.

4. People buy products or merchandise from the 4. People buy products or merchandise from the business, use them, and then return them for a refund.business, use them, and then return them for a refund.

Sales Floor

Wander around, apparently aimlessly? Go into the staff lounge area when it isn't

their assigned break time? Socialize with employees in other areas

when they are supposed to be working? Bring their bags or purses out into the sales

area?

Robbery Late Hours Late Hours

If a business is open late there is a wider range of time If a business is open late there is a wider range of time in which it could be robbed. in which it could be robbed.

Late at night there are fewer people around, so a robber Late at night there are fewer people around, so a robber has less chance of being identified or caught. has less chance of being identified or caught.

One Clerk One Clerk Businesses with only one clerk are at a greater risk for Businesses with only one clerk are at a greater risk for

robbery, especially at night robbery, especially at night Cash or Valuable Merchandise Cash or Valuable Merchandise

The most desirable target for a robber is cash.The most desirable target for a robber is cash. A business with large amounts of cash around is a A business with large amounts of cash around is a

desirable target.desirable target. If the business sells products that are valuable and can If the business sells products that are valuable and can

easily be resold then they are also a likely target easily be resold then they are also a likely target

Robbery Prevention Take extra precautions when opening and Take extra precautions when opening and

closing a businessclosing a business Don’t make drops part of a routineDon’t make drops part of a routine Watch for suspicious “customers”Watch for suspicious “customers” Greet all customersGreet all customers Encourage non-cash transactionsEncourage non-cash transactions Maintain as little cash on site as possibleMaintain as little cash on site as possible Use a drop safeUse a drop safe Hang signs detailing that very little cash is Hang signs detailing that very little cash is

in registersin registers Do NOT obstruct view into the store with Do NOT obstruct view into the store with

posters, etc.posters, etc. Keep business well litKeep business well lit Place register in strategic position, elevate Place register in strategic position, elevate

if possibleif possible Use one entry and exitUse one entry and exit

ShopliftingDress-

Heavy clothes in summerNo coat in winterWorn clothesNo shoes

Act-Come in pairsTake quick glancesLittle interest in items asked aboutNervous, flushedHold quick conversations with others

Move-Leave area of store quicklyWalk funny (hands down, etc.)Walk behind sales counterMove quickly to fitting rooms

Carry-are carrying wrinkled or dirty bagstake a lot of garments into the fitting room are carrying a large open purseare carrying cash in their hands

Be very wary of

Shoplifting

Dress-Baggy clothes

Act-Don’t seem to know what they want

Move-Walking in an unusual wayHave a baby strollerRoaming aimlesslyGo into bathroom

Carry-Bags, bundles, boxes, coat over arm, briefcase, newspaper, arm in sling

Watch more carefully

Shoplifting

Dress-Dressed for weatherTight fitting clothing

Act-Paying attention to nothing but merchandiseCome in alone and ask for help

Move-Carry-

Aren’t carrying anything

Don’t worry so much about

Remember

Look at how people dress, act, and move, Look at how people dress, act, and move, and what they carry,and what they carry,

NOT their age, sex, or skin colorNOT their age, sex, or skin color

What Employees can doDOs DON'Ts

•Be friendly and helpful to customers •Keep displays and work areas tidy •Pick up fallen clothing and hangers often •Keep the fitting rooms locked (or monitor them very closely) •Check the fitting rooms often for clothing, hangers, and ripped-off price tags

•Spend a lot of time talking to other employees and not paying attention to the customers •Attempt to catch a shoplifter after he or she has left the store (unless you are specially trained for this)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

As mentioned, make things visible (lighting, obstructions)As mentioned, make things visible (lighting, obstructions) Cut back shrubs, use only short thorny typesCut back shrubs, use only short thorny types Find blind spots in your business and compensate for Find blind spots in your business and compensate for

them (cameras, mirrors)them (cameras, mirrors) Make sure your equipment is effective (banks, low Make sure your equipment is effective (banks, low

cameras)cameras) ElevationElevation Shelves that can be seen overShelves that can be seen over Keep expensive merchandise at the back of the storeKeep expensive merchandise at the back of the store One way in and out / vestibulesOne way in and out / vestibules

Scams

Always changingAlways changing PhishingPhishing ID TheftID Theft Theft of Internet servicesTheft of Internet services PranksPranks LatestLatest

If Victimized

Call PD ImmediatelyCall PD Immediately Try to observe Try to observe

anything (description, anything (description, vehicle, etc.)vehicle, etc.)

Plate numbers keyPlate numbers key Use your equipmentUse your equipment Don’t be hero, be a Don’t be hero, be a

good live witnessgood live witness