accesscontrolsecurity

  With the holiday season almost behind us, now may be a good time to evaluate your store’s security needs for 2018. Did you experience increases in shoplifting during the holidays or overall in 2017? You’re not alone. According to the   2017 National Retail Security Survey , “the average cost per shoplifting incident doubled in 2017 to $798.48.” Here are some steps to make sure 2018 is not a repeat of 2017. Review Your Store Layout:  Put checkout areas at the front of the store. That way, store employees can better spot customers leaving without paying. If your budget allows, enlist an employee to act as a customer greeter at the entrance to help notice anything suspicious. Move Merchandise:  Merchandise that is consistently targeted for theft should be placed in plain view so it’s more difficult to steal. Train Your Staff:  Make shoplifting prevention a focal point of employee training. Train employees to engage with customers especially those who fail to make...

  Catalytic converter theft is on the rise across the country. In San Diego County, the number of catalytic converter thefts   rose 600 percent   during the last half of 2020. These converters are located under a vehicle and process gas pollutants into cleaner emissions. Because no vehicle break-in is required, they can be stolen within minutes. They contain precious metals that have shot up in value over the past few years so the converters’ worth has grown. The presence of security guards patrolling covered garages and parking lots can prevent catalytic converter theft. Crime of Opportunity.  Thieves know that cars are often left unattended for long periods at apartment complexes (usually overnight) and at  shopping malls . Vehicles of choice for converter thieves are the Toyota Prius and other hybrid cars because the precious metals are often in better condition. Another reason is that hybrid converters are more expensive to replace so thieves steal them and ...

  Retirement communities are for those who want to enjoy their later years in comfort while knowing that if an emergency occurs, staff is ready to respond. Whether the communities are made up of single-family homes, condos or apartments—management has an obligation to do what’s necessary to keep residents safe . Crime against seniors in these communities is relatively rare, but when they do  occur , they can shake residents to the core. Here are tips that management should follow. –Implement annual drug tests for all employees. –Limit the number of employees who have master residence keys. –If an apartment or condo complex, visitors should only be allowed to enter through a keypad entry system. –When the complex is gated, visitors must check-in with a security guard at the front entrance. –Contracted service companies (i.e., ground maintenance, food, housecleaning) should be bonded, licensed and be required to conduct employee background checks and drug screenings. –All public...

  The new EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) computer chips found in more and more credit cards were supposed to make credit card fraud much harder to pull off. While the chip’s introduction in the U.S. (it’s been available in Europe for years) and its stronger security capabilities have helped make payment transactions safer, fraud is still occurring. Here are some of the reasons why. Not enough merchants have purchased the equipment necessary to read the chip data–only about half of U.S. stores. This means fraudsters can still use stolen cards with their easily-hackable black magnetic strips at half of the country’s retail outlets. Gas stations have until 2020 to install EMV chip reading equipment so very few have the technology. It’s why credit card skimming scams (where thieves read data off your credit or debit card when you make a gas purchase) are still a big problem. Chips offer no protection for online sales. If thieves steal a credit card, there’s no stopping them from using...

  As the recent explosion at an Aliso Viejo medical building shows, terror and tragedy can happen at any time and at any place. While not all tragic situations can be prevented, there are tactics to keep employees at small businesses safe. Install A Secure Entry System.  Select a system that must be activated and deactivated each day using an access code, and if a break-in occurs, law enforcement will be notified. Give the entry code to only those who need it. Change the code when employees with the access code leave. Reinforce and Secure Windows.  Most small businesses lease space, but if on the ground floor and when possible, replace regular paned glass with safety or tempered glass, which are much harder to break. Add window alarms. Install Video Security.  Part of any electronic security system should be cameras at all entrances, stairwells and other isolated areas as well as where any financial transactions occur. Add sufficient lighting at these areas and aroun...

  Many in the U.S. will be traveling abroad this summer. While traveling overseas is still overwhelmingly safe, in the current world environment it makes sense to take precautions. When preparing your trip, here are overseas “before you go”  travel tips  from the FBI. Know local laws and customs .  These may include dress standards, photography restrictions and curfews. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. Make copies of your passport, airplane ticket, driver’s license and credit cards you take with you.  Keep one copy at home, carry the second copy with you but separate from the originals. This will help speed the replacement process if the originals are lost. Do not take unnecessary identification or credit cards.  Use traveler’s checks instead of credit cards. Establish points of contact to give to your foreign hosts in case of an emergency.  Obtain phone numbers and addresses of the U.S. Embassies in the countries you will visit. You can also register ...

  Planning a summer vacation should also include planning to keep your home secure while you’re away. Nothing can put a damper on an enjoyable trip than to come back to a burglarized home. Here are tips to protect your home while you’re on vacation. Light Timers.  Set timers to turn on lights during evening hours. A dark house is an invitation to burglars that no one is home. Stay Off Facebook.  Wait until you return from vacation to post your travel photos on social media. Your posts can often be seen by those other than your friends despite using the strongest safeguard settings. Announcing to the world that you are away makes your home an easy target for criminals. Lock Up Valuables.  Put your important documents, jewelry, coins and other valuables in a safe. Better yet, consider placing them in a safety deposit box at your bank. Upgrade Door & Window Locks.  Before you leave, replace any broken locks. Make sure doors and windows shut tightly. Stop Delive...

  Since California made recreational marijuana legal, over 350 licensed recreational marijuana stores have opened in the state—with more on the way. The nature of the product presents unique security issues. A Security Guard Presence.   Security guards at marijuana dispensaries are a necessity. Because of federal laws, transactions are cash-only meaning dispensaries must have a significant amount of money on hand during business hours. This makes the dispensaries a tempting target for thieves who not only see the resale value in the store’s inventory, but the store as an easy target to grab large amounts of untraceable cash. Post a security guard at the dispensary entry. The guards should be friendly (not intimidating to scare away patrons) yet ready to respond when necessary. A guard should also assist whenever inventory is delivered, escorting the delivery person and product into the store. Preventing Employee Theft .  Since marijuana is in such demand on the black...

  Festival season is upon us.  Spring through summer is when outdoor festivals are held just about every weekend. While a large part of the festival organizers’ duties is to create unique, positive experiences, a good portion of their time should be devoted to determining how to keep the festival grounds safe for patrons. Event Security Planning.  A festival security guard company specializing in outdoor events can walk the grounds, point out security issues and devise an event security plan the will keep the grounds safe. Festival security can function in a number of ways. Oversee Who Goes In And Out.  Perimeter fencing should be considered even when an event is free to enter. Simple fencing funnels festivalgoers through entry points that can be then monitored by festival security guards. Checkpoint Screening.  Post event security guards at all entrances where they can check purses, handbags and backpacks, and when necessary, guide guests through metal detector...

  You don’t have to be a celebrity to become the victim of a stalker. Stalkers can be ex-boyfriends, disgruntled co-workers or someone who has become obsessed with you for no apparent reason. If somebody threatens your or makes you feel unsafe, contact the police at once. Even if a restraining order is in place, however, it may not be enough. The  San Diego County District Attorney’s Office  prepared a list of safety tips to follow when personal safety is at risk. Here are some of suggestions. Home Security –Install a security doorbell or surveillance camera so you know who is at the door before opening. –Prepare an evacuation plan if an intruder enters. Provide ladders or rope for two-story residences. –Install dead bolts on all outside doors. –Consider adopting a family dog–one of the most effective alarm systems. Work Security –Park in a secured area if possible. –Have your name removed from any reserved parking area. –Alert work security guard staff of your situation....

  The opioid epidemic is triggering an increase in pharmacy break-ins and the need for better security at these facilities. A   wave or break-ins   recently occurred in Orange County. A report by   Smart Retailing Rx   says there are over 7,000 pharmacy break-ins per year with prescription narcotics  being the drugs of choice. The reason from drug theft can be for personal use or for resale on the black market. Burglars are often in and out minutes. An alarm system won’t stop the bad guys. Here are tips to discourage theft from happening. Placement of Security Cameras.  Install visible cameras throughout the pharmacy—inside and out–including behind the counter to catch employee theft. Being watched and filmed may be enough to scare off some thieves and keep employees honest. Pharmacy Security Guards .  One way to stop thieves is to employ onsite security guards. A pharmacy security guard patrols the perimeter of the pharmacy while the pharmacy is ...

  Locations providing COVID-19 vaccinations must not only devise a smooth distribution system, but also address security issues. Long wait times and other matters are causing confusion, short tempers and frazzled nerves.  At a Riverside, California vaccination site, people had to   wait 1 1/2 hours   to get vaccinated, even with an appointment. Arizona has become the world’s biggest   hot spot   for the virus making vaccinations more urgent. Security guards for vaccination sites are being deployed to help keep the peace and make sure the process runs without delays. California and Arizona just announced that those age 65 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine, but there isn’t enough supply. When supply finally catches up, vaccination sites will be inundated. Plans must be in place so security is maintained. Sites need to be ready. Since the pandemic began, Access Control Security guards have been providing security and health screening services at hos...

  A fan made the fateful decision to run onto the field during an Atlanta Braves baseball game. While fast, he was no match for one of the baseball stadium security guards who applied a hard tackle, making a quick ending to the fan’s ill-advised prank. For the takedown, click  here . Security guards at sporting events do much more than snagging fans who decide to run onto the field. Their duties include: –Crowd management –Monitoring entrances/checking bags and purses, operating metal detectors –Standing guard at concession and beer booths, in the stands and other public areas –Undertaking traffic control so fans can get in an out quickly and safely –Escorting bad behaving fans from the stands/alerting police Sports stadium security guards are on the constant lookout for anything amiss so fans can enjoy the game. For more, go to  Access Control Security . To request a security quote, give Access Control Security a call at 877-482-7324 or  Click Here to Get a Quote.

  When most of us walk into a restaurant, we don’t think about security. Yet restaurants are susceptible to a number of criminal activities. Restaurants and bars accumulate large amounts of cash during the course of a business day making them enticing targets for robbers. Card manipulation and cash theft (by either patrons or employees) are other problems. As are intoxicated patrons. Enlisting the help of a restaurant security guard company is one way to prevent illegal activity from occurring. Restaurant Robberies .  Robberies can happen at any time but restaurants are most at risk during opening and closing. Having a security guard present during these times will discourage employees from dipping into the registers and robbers from attempting a holdup. Employee Theft.  Employees know the inner workings of restaurant operations—giving unscrupulous employees the opportunity to pocket cash, steal inventory and customer credit card information. Employee background checks ar...

  Locations providing COVID-19 vaccinations must not only devise a smooth distribution system, but also address security issues. Long wait times and other matters are causing confusion, short tempers and frazzled nerves.  At a Riverside, California vaccination site, people had to   wait 1 1/2 hours   to get vaccinated, even with an appointment. Arizona has become the world’s biggest   hot spot   for the virus making vaccinations more urgent. Security guards for vaccination sites are being deployed to help keep the peace and make sure the process runs without delays. California and Arizona just announced that those age 65 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine, but there isn’t enough supply. When supply finally catches up, vaccination sites will be inundated. Plans must be in place so security is maintained. Sites need to be ready. Since the pandemic began, Access Control Security guards have been providing security and health screening services at hos...

  As the federal government opens   mass vaccination sites   such as the ones in Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum and in Los Angeles at Cal State University, Los Angeles, security guards are being assigned so that the vaccination process goes smoothly. These large vaccination sites will be capable of administrating thousands of shots a day. That means thousands of cars and individuals will be passing through stadium and college parking lots daily. Traffic Security.  Guards are deployed throughout vaccination distribution sites to coordinate smooth traffic flow. Guards keep vehicles moving and in the proper lanes. Keeping The Public Safe.  Getting a shot is a stressful event. Standing in line or in cars for the critical COVID shot after months of waiting only heightens stress levels.  Guards are stationed  at vaccination distribution tents and booths. Guards check to see if members of the public are wearing face coverings and are keeping the appropriate ...