Lines of Defense

Trent Cowherd was relieved that he already had a security system in place at Cowherd Construction Co. Inc. when a break-in occurred two years ago, but the incident made him realize he needed to do more to keep crime out of his office.

“They had come in through a back window, but as soon as the motion detector went off, they dropped everything and ran,” he said.

The police did catch the suspects, who had broken into six or seven businesses that week looking for cash, but since then, Cowherd has beefed up security at his office and at the A&B Self Storage and Chesterfield Self Storage locations he owns. He added bars to the exterior office windows, placed stickers from his monitoring company, American Detection Specialists, and added security lighting on the properties.

While crime isn’t necessarily always top-of-mind for business owners, it is something they should be aware of, said DeWayne Clinton, owner of Access Concepts LLC.

“Crime is always a problem,” he said. “We have people here that still think nothing of going off to work with the front door standing open.”

Irrational times
Beyond misplaced trust, economic pressures could be putting more businesses at risk in the Ozarks.

The Springfield Police Department reported that 10 businesses were burglarized – most commonly by breaking glass windows or doors – during the March 27–28 weekend. According to a news release issued at the time, suspects involved were likely on the hunt for money left on business premises overnight.

“In a harsh economy, people do things that they would not have done before they lost a job,” said Bryan Morris, finance manager of American Detection Specialists.

Morris noted that the ongoing methamphetamine problem can also exacerbate the issue.

“A lot of people don’t consider the effect drugs will have on people because of the harsh economy,” he said. “People who cook and use meth don’t function in a rational manner.”
 
Security lessons
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for keeping a business secure, because it can require a blend of policies, practices, electronics and deterrence measures. Clinton said there are some common security measures that can benefit all businesses.

“The No. 1 thing for theft is awareness,” Clinton said. “Nine times out of 10, when someone gets robbed, it’s by someone they know.”

Beyond making sure employees are trustworthy, business owners should emphasize to staff members that they must not reveal private business information to casual friends and acquaintances.

“Every employee has a dozen friends and family and not everyone’s acquaintances are as ethical as we like to be,” Morris said. “Sooner or later, someone is going to know you have that autographed baseball by Ted Williams or something else they want.”

The number of building keys issued should be kept to a minimum, and access control systems such as keypads or card-swipe entry systems, to limit employee access to confidential files, electronics and valuables.

To keep intruders out, Morris said, the first step is to make sure a business doesn’t look like an easy target.

“You want to have plenty of light around so that someone can’t hide by your building or get away with something without being seen,” he said, noting that large plants and shrubs by windows and doors could be used as hiding spots for criminals.

Though it sounds pretty simple, another important step for businesses is setting up procedures to ensure that the premises are locked up securely when the last person leaves.

“It’s disappointing to see when there is an intrusion because a warehouse door was rolled up eight inches and someone was able to wiggle through,” Morris said.

Crime deterrents
Even with security measures in place, there’s no guarantee that someone won’t try to break in. As Cowherd knows, a monitored intrusion detection system provides peace of mind, because if a suspect is able to gain entry, the less time they have inside means fewer things stolen or damaged.

Morris said it’s common for business owners to budget about $1 per square foot of their facilities for some level of electronic security, which also can include fire monitoring.

Christopher Ball, president of Jack Ball Architects PC, 444 S. Campbell Ave., installed a monitored security system and electronic access control when he opened his office in 2002.

“It allows people to come and go without having to use keys, and it’s easier if we have to change the locks,” he said.

Because of his downtown location, Ball also had exterior floodlights with motion detection sensors installed.

Employee training also is crucial, Morris said, so they’ll be prepared if a crisis situation arises.

For employees who handle money and deal with the public, a good solution is to wear a wireless call button, Morris said, and a nonlethal weapon, such as chemical defense spray, also can be helpful – and safe.

“If a criminal relieves the employee of the weapon, you don’t want it to be a lethal weapon,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]