Of all the issues that face small business owners, the possibility of theft and robbery might be the most troubling. You worry about keeping your business safe—it’s not just about having peace of mind when you’re off the clock. It’s also a matter of your business’s long-term survival. Problem is, it’s impossible to predict when the safety and security of your customers, inventory, and cash on hand will come under threat—whether from the hands of a professional criminal or a trusted employee. You can take preventative measures, however, to minimize the risk of thieves attacking your business. Here are 6 ways to prevent a robbery from hitting your small business.

1. KEEPING YOUR
BUSINESS SAFE
ROBBERY PREVENTION
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

2. SECURITY IS A MATTER OF YOUR
BUSINESS’S LONG-TERM SURVIVAL
Here are 6 preventative measures
to minimize the risk of thieves
attacking your business.

3. GET IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT BEFORE A CRIME HAPPENS
1.
Contact the police to discuss trends in local crime.
Police will provide:
• Information specific to your business.
• General advice about how to handle robberies.
Knowing what to look for ahead of time helps stop
a crime before it happens.

4. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
AND HOW YOU MIGHT BE A TARGET
2.
If you have a business near
an easy escape route, work
with law enforcement to be
aware of their concerns and
piece together the puzzle
before a crime happens.
Even smart surveillance can
be no match for the allure
of your business location to
potential thieves.

5. HIRE REAL,
LIVE SECURITY PERSONNEL
3.
Nothing is better at dissuading robbery or theft than
security personnel that is present in your store.
It may be expensive, but if you don’t have security
you are going to lose business as well.
= SAFE

6. STAY UP ON THE NEWS,
AND GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY
4.
Know more about what’s happening by
being involved in your community.
Attend public safety meetings put on by
the police or community leaders.
Learn best practices and make
connections with other business owners.
Personal contact can put off a would-be
criminal and there is a strong possibility
that robbers are among the people in your
neighborhood.

7. MAKE SURE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM
NOTIFIES THE POLICE FIRST, NOT YOU
5.
Invest in an automated security alarm system that
is armed 24 hours a day and contacts the police
first, rather than the owner.
• Police have more resources to devote to a burglary
than a single business owner does.
• This is much safer and more responsible than trying
to take the law into your own hands.

8. OUTFIT YOUR PHYSICAL SPACE
WITH THE PROPER SECURITY MEASURES
6.
Discourage would-be thieves in the way you design the layout
and equip your physical space.
Keep the cash register in plain
view from the outside of your
business.
Apply deadbolt locks or metal
security crossbars to all outside
entrances and inside security
doors.
Install secure locks and bur-
glar-resistant glass on windows.

9. OUTFIT YOUR PHYSICAL SPACE
WITH THE PROPER SECURITY MEASURES
6.
Install lighting on the inside and outside
of your business, especially around doors,
windows, and other entry points.
Keep minimal cash in the register at all times,
and make bank deposits often and during
business hours.
Provide security system information to
employees only on a need-to-know basis.
Cooperate with burglars if confronted.
It’s not worth losing your life over.

10. CONCLUSION
As long as there are small businesses,
there will be people looking to rob,
burglarize, and otherwise steal from them.
Get ahead of potential thieves by
minimizing risk and maximizing
awareness.