| It is well known that pawn shops and similar | | | | "walk away" otherwise. |
| stores can be risky businesses; with a large stock | | | | As far as security systems are concerned, either |
| of small, valuable objects and large amounts of | | | | install a building alarm system, or place door and |
| cash on hand, they make attractive targets for | | | | window alarms on every potential access point. |
| opportunistic thieves. If you have opened a | | | | These alarms beep loudly when opened, calling |
| jewelry store, pawn shop, or a similar retail | | | | attention to the situation. Similar devices can also |
| location with many small and valuable objects on | | | | be used inside the store. If you have valuable |
| display, be sure to consider safety aspects, not | | | | merchandise in glass cases, small alarms can keep |
| only to prevent theft but also to keep your | | | | the cases from being opened by potential thieves. |
| employees out of harm's way. | | | | Personal alarms have a third use, and that is as |
| It has been shown that the economy also | | | | 'panic buttons' for your employees. If someone |
| impacts property crimes, particularly burglaries. As | | | | threatening comes into the store, they can press |
| the economy slumps, some turn to thievery to | | | | this button to alert others. This is particularly |
| get extra cash. Others rob jewelry stores and | | | | helpful if you have employees working in the back |
| pawn shops for the thrill. Whatever the reason, | | | | of the store, where they may be oblivious to |
| you must take steps to protect your business | | | | anything going on up front. If there is the potential |
| inventory and your employees. | | | | for all employees to be in the back room at one |
| The first step, of course, is to make your | | | | time, install a door chime to alert you to a |
| business less of a target for burglars. This includes | | | | customer's entrance. This is simply a good |
| simple steps like adequate outdoor lighting and | | | | customer service practice, in addition to |
| thick deadbolts on a sturdy door. Depending on | | | | preventing people from stealing from your |
| the neighborhood, you may opt for bars on the | | | | unattended store. |
| windows. These measures make your store | | | | Depending on your overall security strategy, you |
| more difficult to break into, and will make many | | | | may want to provide additional methods for your |
| potential thieves decide on a different target. | | | | employees to protect themselves. TASER |
| Cameras are a must-have addition to any retail | | | | devices, pepper spray, and stun guns all make |
| security strategy, particularly when you have | | | | sensible choices for self defense. While you |
| small, valuable items that could easily be stolen. | | | | probably don't want to arm employees with guns, |
| Whether dummy or real, a camera gives potential | | | | these devices are non-lethal and easy for anyone |
| thieves the appearance that they are being | | | | to use with very little training or experience. Your |
| watched. This is a powerful psychological | | | | employees can remain safely behind the counter |
| deterrent, and will probably result in would-be | | | | while diffusing the threat. |
| thieves choosing an easier target, where they | | | | If you don't want to subject your employees and |
| won't get caught in the act. In this context, | | | | your expensive jewelry to possible burglaries and |
| security cameras are one of the most effective | | | | theft, you must take steps to install security |
| weapons in preventing theft. These security | | | | measures, such as cameras and alarms, along |
| cameras should be installed both inside and outside | | | | with having a clear plan for how employees should |
| your store, near any large groupings of valuable | | | | respond to theft, including the possibly of armed |
| and small items that may have a tendency to | | | | burglars. |