Rash of burglaries turns eyes on security business

Six businesses in and around downtown Springfield were broken into late last month, and some of them were small stores with little or no cash on hand. But that didn’t stop vandals from shattering a plate-glass window to get inside.

Chuck McCann, who owns Springfield Blue Print on East Pershing Street, said the perpetrators reached through the broken glass, unlocked the door and let themselves in.

“Fortunately, they took absolutely nothing,” he said. “We were fortunate they did not tear up our computer systems.”

Still, the incident convinced McCann it was time to invest in an alarm system, so he contacted Federal Protection Inc. about his options. The system McCann selected automatically alerts police when a break-in has occurred, but he hopes the security upgrade will keep troublemakers away altogether.

Police perspective

Police department spokesman Grant Story said that commercial burglaries are commonplace in Springfield, but a large number in a short span is uncommon.

More than 210 commercial burglaries were reported to police in the first half of 2007, according to a Springfield Police Department records search. There were 75 reported in the first quarter, which included the January ice storm and subsequent power outages. That number almost doubled in the second quarter.

Police say there are several ways to make commercial property less attractive to criminals, and local security firms offer a wide assortment of tools to help business owners collect critical evidence for prosecution.

Officer Shawn Burks, who heads up the department’s crime prevention unit, conducts free security surveys with Springfield business owners. Burks has been trained in a philosophy known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, which evaluates lighting, landscaping, boundaries and public spaces.

“That’s what I look at more than anything, because I don’t just want to say put bulletproof glass in and lock it down with chains,” he said. “I want to give them simple things that have to do with natural surveillance. Natural surveillance is just the ability to see into something and see out very clearly.”

A high-efficiency surveillance system may still be the best way to obtain “good, clear visual evidence of a crime,” Story said.

Security-minded business owners should arrange demonstrations with vendors before buying a surveillance system, Story said. That way, they can preview camera footage to examine the quality and clarity of recorded images.

Picking the right system

Springfield-based Southwest Home Inventory & Security Services is seeing a fair amount of interest in an Internet protocol surveillance system that allows business owners to monitor their property via the Web.

“We’re really empowering the business owners to take control of what they have,” said Southwest Inventory co-owner Kelly Evans.

Business owners using the system can log on to any computer and access a password-protected Web site to review recorded video and audio data, Evans said. The system is preferable to closed-circuit television, because compressed digital video can be accessed throughout the IP network, she said.

Network cameras also can be remotely operated, allowing owners to pan and zoom in search of anything suspicious, and can be configured to capture digital images of a security breach, Evans said.

Installation of a typical four-camera system with digital video recording backup runs about $1,200, and most software updates can be downloaded for free, Evans said. High-end packages – some of the most elaborate models have speakers that allow owners to confront intruders – cost between $20,000 and $40,000, she added.

“In the long run, it really saves (business owners) money because the initial cost is really minimal in comparison to what the losses could be,” Evans said.

Atlas Security Service Inc. also offers IP surveillance and closed-circuit TV systems, and some of the company’s larger clients have integrated systems that incorporate both elements, said Atlas President Jim Wade. Dramatic technological advances and lower price points have made security systems more attractive to business owners, he said.

Many business owners now receive a text message on their cell phone or have a surveillance photo e-mailed to their computer when an alarm is tripped, Wade said. They can then make the decision whether to disregard the alarm, contact a security guard or dial 911, he said, noting that the Springfield Police Department allows a limited number of false alarms before it assesses fines.

But despite the expanding number of security measures available to businesses, there’s no system that’s foolproof, Wade reminded.

“When you get to the point in our society where people are grasping for (protection), this is one way you can try to do it versus sitting on the porch with a shotgun,” he said. “Nobody can stay up 24-7 and guard your place, so that’s why alarm companies are in business. … We hope it provides people with a little peace of mind.”

Tips for Securing your Business

Security surveys are free to Springfield businesses through the police department’s crime prevention unit. Contact Officer Shawn Burks at (417) 874-2113 for more information.

Lighting: Assure that all entry points to the building are properly illuminated. Leave enough interior lighting to detect movement, and make sure blinds or curtains do not prevent detection of activity from outside. Make sure all existing lighting is in good working order.

Doors: Check for signs of structural weakness. Make sure you have heavy, updated locks and that they are in good working condition. Rear doors should be of heavy solid construction, preferably with no windows. One of the best security measures for a rear or side private-access door is a bar placed in U-brackets securing the door to the doorframe. This is very cost-effective and makes it almost impossible to pry the door open.

Locks: Make sure all doors, windows and skylights are secured with the best possible locks. No lock is burglar proof, but the harder it is to gain entry, the longer it will take. Considering these factors, the would-be intruder will probably leave to find a lower-risk property that’s not as secure.

Windows: Assure that all windows can be secured in such a way that they cannot be broken easily from outside. Check all windows prior to closing. Make sure that windows are not blocked by merchandise, which would prevent someone from seeing inside. Also, make sure that valuable merchandise is not left near the windows.

Safes: Do not leave large amounts of money in a safe overnight. Consider signage which states that no cash is left on the premises overnight. Safes should be secured to the floor and visible from the outside.

Alarm Systems: Consider an alarm system. Research alarm companies and the types of alarms that fit your needs and your budget. If utilizing an alarm system, make sure to have clearly visible signage stating the premises is protected by an alarm system.

Source: Springfield Police Department, Crime Prevention Unit[[In-content Ad]]