It’s the first quarter of a New Year and businesses are already busy reviewing budgets for ways to save money. One line item that can impact business the most — loss. Employee theft alone is a crime that costs U.S. businesses $50 billion annually*, according to Statistic Brain.  So if you aren’t sure who is keeping watch over your property and assets, and how they reduce preventable loss, it might be time for a security audit.

According to GuardOne,the industry-leading security patrol and remote video monitoring company, more than 400,000 businesses in the United States experience theft, robbery, vandalism, and criminal acts each year. The company advises that all businesses should consider the reality that thefts and other crimes can happen on their premises. They note that having the right systems in place can prevent these occurrences.

“Some types of businesses – such as banks, convenience stores, and high-end retailers – are a natural target for theft. But if you have the right security partner your employees, guests, and property will be protected,” said Robert Copeland, President and CEO of GuardOne. “We are experts at using video monitoring in conjunction with security guards to maximize coverage while minimizing security costs.”

It may be time to reassess your security needs “if” your company is:

  • Experiencing retail shrinkage, equipment, or inventory loss. The National Retail Federation reported that retailers lost nearly $44 billion from theft in 2014, with 34 percent of these crimes committed by employees. Theft accounts for tremendous profit losses for retailers.  A trained guard or surveillance camera will help reduce your losses, increase your profits, create a deterrent for would-be thieves, and help catch criminals in the act.
  • Having issues with squatters, damage or vandalism.  If your office, warehouses, parking lots or distribution centers are unattended at night, the risks of vandalism, squatters, and damage rises. Businesses – including car dealerships, warehouses, retail locations, and empty campuses – benefit from security monitoring  that deters these crime risks. 
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  • Experiencing issues with your parking lot, garage or business perimeter. Employees and customers may feel uncomfortable walking to their cars at night, particularly if the parking lot is not well lit or heavily trafficked. Unattended parking lots can attract vandalism, theft, muggings and other crimes to people. A patrolling security guard can reduce these risks, serve as a crime deterrent and ensure the safety of people and property.
  • Located in a high crime location.  “High crime” doesn’t necessarily mean a bad neighborhood. It could include a location in a sparsely-populated area that attracts loiterers and vandals. Risk may be reduced through high tech surveillance.
  • Keeping incomplete safety records.  Company employees are often tasked with day-to-day record keeping regarding safety, personnel and property, and may not be trained for this task. For example, if a door is repeatedly left open, a security guard will notice (and record) that pattern. Then, he or she will investigate causes like whether the door’s lock is faulty or if an employee is leaving the door open to sneak back in later. Because the guard works for the security company and not the business, he or she can provide objective third-party records (and testimony) for events like employee termination, liability issues, and workplace injuries.
  • Experiencing heavy traffic.  Businesses that have high-volume traffic will benefit from on-site security guards to manage security and liability concerns, check guests’ IDs, log people in and out, handle crowd control, search guests for contraband, and respond to incidents and alarms.
  • Unprepared for emergencies.  Security guards are equipped to manage a wide range of emergencies,  medical emergencies, natural disasters, terroristic threats and more. They are trained to act quickly, responsibly and sensibly regardless of the circumstance.
  • Experiencing the threat of a lawsuit.  Has your company been targeted for frivolous lawsuits or false claims?You may encounter physical fights between employees or customers, harassment claims, or employees “faking” an injury to spark a lawsuit against your business. Security guards and surveillance cameras can protect you from all of these unfortunate scenarios (and more).
  • Assessed by employees as an environment where they don’t feel completely safe.  Protect your employees and your property with a high-quality safety system. The right security company will safeguard your assets, protect your employees, and improve your day-to-day business operations by fixing observable problems and delegitimizing false claims.
  • Unreachable during off hours.  If you have unreliable security detail that doesn’t always show up for work, won’t answer a call or text or you can’t ever reach loss prevention management, it’s time for a change. Security should be the one thing you don’t have to worry about. If it’s reliable, it just happens. 

“Securing your business helps your staff and customers feel more comfortable, knowing that you’re taking concrete steps to prevent crime and keep them safe. Many companies have found that investing in on-site security was one of the best choices they ever made,” says Copeland.