Criminals Don’t Want to Be Caught in the Act

Obviously, criminals don’t want to be caught committing a crime. This is a major reason why they strike properties at night. They know that there will be fewer people around, that it will be more difficult to catch them in action, and that footage from security cameras will be less effective in the dark.
Since this is true, it makes sense that increasing visibility will keep a property safe. Here are a few ways to reduce crime by making it easier to see.

• If you operate a retail store, make sure your staff can easily see everyone inside the business. If you give criminals places to hide (such as behind tall shelves or around corners) you’re also giving them opportunities to shoplift. Criminals will often retreat to locations where they can’t easily be seen so they can sneak items into their pocket or bag. To prevent this, clear sightlines to eliminate hiding spots. Have staff walk around the store and keep an eye on customers whenever possible.

• Criminals are more likely to rob a property when they know they won’t be seen from the street. Install lighting and make sure the cash can be easily seen by anyone walking by. If a criminal knows they’re likely to be caught in the act, they’ll be less likely to attempt a robbery.

• Lighting also prevents other types of crime. If your business is well-lit, criminals know that they have a much greater chance of being caught while attempting a break-in. Consider installing motion-activated lighting to keep criminals away. Eliminate dark spots where crooks can hide.

• Physical security tools are critical for preventing smash and grab robberies and reducing shoplifting. However, it’s important that you don’t sacrifice visibility when installing them. Make sure that your gates can be easily folded back or rolled out of the way. Fixed gates that cannot be moved or rolled away can make it much more difficult to spot potential criminals.

Visibly isn’t just important when it comes to catching criminals in the act. It’s also important to make sure your security tools are visible as well. This is why rolling or folding security gates are so effective. During business hours, you can easily move them out of the way, but they act a visible barrier when your business is closed.

Criminals look for properties that lack protection. They want to have the easiest possible break-in. If a business has strong visible security, a criminal will know that the chances of a successful crime are quite low. However, if criminals cannot easily see your security tools from the street, they may attempt to gain access to your property. Even if they are unsuccessful, they can cause a lot of damage which will costly and time-consuming to repair.

For this reason, physical security gates are a much stronger deterrent than window film. If installed correctly, film can make it more difficult for a criminal to break through a window or door, but criminals won’t know it’s there until they’ve already made several attempts to gain access.

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