Join a business watch program

Burglary, robbery, shoplifting, employee theft, fraud and vandalism cost businesses billions of dollars each year. When crime infiltrates a business community, it can be devastating to both customers and business owners.

Businesses often react by raising prices to cover theft loss, relocating outside the community or just closing the doors. Unfortunately business owners quite often take on a "David vs. Goliath" approach to dealing with the problem. Initiating a single-handed technique only isolates businesses more and increases their vulnerability.

Helping businesses reduce and prevent crime must be a joint effort shared by the community and law enforcement officials. Taking a proactive approach to security can be achieved by getting involved in a Business Watch Program.

Business Watch is a term used to describe a group of businesses located together with the common aim of reducing crime. This unique program brings together local police and participating retail and or hotel personnel. It establishes a formal network of communication between businesses in a specific area, their employees, and law enforcement officials. Through a program such as this, police are better able to advise the retail/hotel community of current crime patterns and provide descriptions of suspects.

The main focus of the Business Watch Program is to provide education, networking, and security tips to local businesses. Business owners and employees learn about their vulnerability to certain types of crimes as well as gaining knowledge of the law and how it applies to their needs.

Business Watch provides a link between neighbouring businesses as part of its networking package. This interaction quite often initiates businesses to target problems and reach solutions through their close contact.

If your surrounding business neighbours have an active Business Watch and Problem Solving group already formed - join it! If there is no such group formed, take the initiative and head up a community action and awareness group.

Get started by contacting your local police department and explain that you would like to start a Business Watch group and would like some assistance. Next, canvass your business community for interest. After briefly explaining the benefits of a Business Watch program, convenient times should be discussed to assure a large turnout at your first meeting.

Meetings usually involve about five or ten business neighbours and last about two hours depending on the issues. A police officer will attend and discuss various crime-prevention strategies that might be considered by the group.

Brochures and problem-solving aids will be handed out at the meeting ensuring that all businesses leave with a greater knowledge of crime prevention.

Working together with police departments means that you understand your part. Your part is to report the crime and the responsibility of apprehending criminals belongs to the police department.