Hints, Tips and Checklists.

At TBayTel, security and safety go hand in hand. In this special section, we provide a series of helpful hints, tips and checklists to keep you, your family and your home safe wherever you are.

Internal Theft

Ground Rules - establishing policies
Additional Theft Prevention
Now Hiring - Employee Hiring Practices

Shoplifting/Shop Theft

How They Do It: Methods Used for Shop Thefts
Be Aware: Things to Watch For
Guidelines to Deter Shop Theft
Taking a Stand: Your Powers of Arrest

Robbery

Risk Avoidance: Stopping Things Before They Start
Staying Smart, Staying Safe: During the Robbery
After the Robbery: Helping the Police

Internal Theft

The business community has been suffering from an ever increasing amount of internal thefts. Many businesses have actually been forced to close as a result of internal theft. The types of thefts that are most commonly described are shrinkage, embezzlement and fraud.

Shrinkage or Theft
Taking, consuming, removing or converting someone else's property for personal use. This can be as simple as the unauthorized consumption of food in a restaurant to the removal of products, cash or equipment from the retail or manufacturing sector. It also includes intellectual properties such as patent processes, computer programs and client information.
Embezzlement
Taking or using money or property without the proper right or authority to do so, or intentionally making errors in bookkeeping practices to allocate funds for one's own use.
Fraud
Deceit used for personal financial gain.

Ground Rules - Estabilishing Policies

All businesses can reduce the opportunity for these crimes to take place by taking a few simple steps. It is important that all businesses consider the establishment of the following:

Written security guidelines
Employee security policies
Communications policies
Staff training program
Crisis management instruction

The establishment of well defined policies and procedures for the security of business property and the property of other employees is important. The introduction of an employee security policy also ensures that all employees are aware of the security guidelines in place.

Be very specific about your company policies as they pertain to ordering, shipping or receiving of goods.
Ensure there is a well detailed description of your employee purchase plan (if one exists), as to goods included, who may authorize, payment of funds, etc.
During orientation or new employees, define terms ("theft" for example) and what the consequences are for breaching policy.
All incidents should be investigated, documented, reported to police and follow-up with measures to prevent future problems.

Additional Theft Prevention

In addition to creating policies, there are a number of techniques that can be employed in the workplace to prevent or discourage thefts from taking place:

ACCESS CONTROL - Have people sign in or out or use a card access system to control entry to high value areas.
CLOSED CIRCUIT TV - Use of closed circuit TV can help discourage or catch people involved in both internal and external thefts.
REGULAR INVENTORIES - Don't always do inventories at the same time each year, and make sure to do them regularly.
Crisis management instruction

Now Hiring - Employee hiring practices

Internal theft problems revolve around the employees that you hire. Ultimately, the first step in reducing problems is to screen potential employees during the hiring process.

Although checking an applicant's record can be time consuming and frustrating, you should verify the information that was supplied. Check:

Previous empoyers
Determine length of employment
Work habits (on time, lazy, go getter, etc.)
Slow/quick learner re: equipment, etc.
Guidance counsellor in your younger applicants
Verify graduation or degrees at college and university
Criminal record check

In addition to your own screening process, have a form signed by new employees that will act as a record of their understanding and agreement to comply with your policies.

Shoplifing/Shop Theft

Shop theft is the most common source of loss that a business faces, causing losses in the area of 6 million dollars a day across the country. Basically, shop theft is a theft that has taken place within a retail business. A person with the intent to steal, picks up an item, conceals and leaves the business without making any attempt to pay for the item.

How They Do It: Methods used for shop thefts

Concealing items in their clothing
Using shopping bags/boxes from other stores
Using purses/pockets
Using booster boxes
Price switching
Concealing goods in umbrellas
Hiding between legs, "crotching"
Working in teams

Be Aware: Things to Watch For

Be aware of someone who is looking more at other people than shopping, and people who keep returning to the same area of the store or are just hanging around.
Shoplifters usually look and move side to side several times
They handle things a lot without actually looking at the item, and use their hands and upper body to conceal the item itself
They look nervous and may be sweating
Be suspicious of individuals wearing clothing out of season.
Hands do the taking, Eyes do the stealing

Guidelines to Deter Shop Theft

Management's Part

The manager or owner of the business must actively advertise against shop theft using signs to reinforce the fact that shoplifters will be prosecuted
Establish permanent policies concerning dressing rooms to limit the number of garments or articles that go in and to ensure the same number come out, checked by staff
Maintain at least a minimal staff that does not leave any particular area of business unattended
Have a firm refund policy and make sure all customers are aware of it at the time of purchase. All customers should get receipts to make it easier to confirm a purchase if there is a dispute at the time
Establish a security or alert code with the use of a simple phrase to alert all staff members to a potential theft or just a suspicious customer
Consider an incentive program. (This requires the complete participation of all the staff.)

The Employee's Part

A sales person who is alert and attentive is the best deterrent to shop theft because customers want service and thieves don't
Greet every customer that enters the store with eye to eye contact
Watch for customers who spend a lot of time in an area, not really looking at anything specific
If a group appears as though they are attempting to distract staff, have a staff member move to where they can better observe the whole area
Maintain neat displays to let you know if anything is missing
Avoid tall displays in order to prevent blind spots that would block spot lines

Additional Precautions

If theft occurs more often in one particular area, rearrange the display, install overhead mirrors or use a different type of display
Have cash registers near the front of the entrance/exit to allow staff to observe all the customers as they leave the store
Practice cross hangering to deter "grab and run" theft
Display easily stolen small items close to the cash register
High priced items should be arranged so they are in better view of the cash register
Secure the stockrooms; have them locked or have a bell or buzzer system installed so you are alerted to someone entering the stockroom(s)
Empty boxes and cartons should not be left in the selling area

Taking a Stand: Your Powers of Arrest

As an employee or manager of a business, you have certain powers of arrest under the Criminal Code of Canada:

Powers of Arrest
Criminal Code of Canada
Section 494

(2) Anyone who is a. the owner or a person in lawful possession of property, or b. a person authorized by the owner or by the person in lawful possession of property may arrest, without warrant, a person whom he finds committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property.

(3) Anyone, other than a peace officer who arrest a person without warrant shall forthwith deliver the person to a peace officer

What is important to know is that you must actually witness a person committing an offence. Second-hand information is not good enough.
Your Responsibilities
You have certain responsibilities when making an arrest:

You must identify the property
You must witness the theft being committed
You must see an overt act of concealment
You must maintain visual contact with the suspect at all times
You must see the suspect fail to pay and exit the store

REMEMBER: If "you" didn't see it, it didn't happen.

Your Arrest Procedure

Approach cautiously & identify yourself; be polite, professional
Return to the store with the suspect
Do not search the suspect
Call police immediately
Retain all goods
Make accurate notes

REMEMBER: Give the accused a reasonable opportunity to contact counsel

Young Offenders
There is some special status given to young offenders. These are persons twelve to seventeen years old that have committed a criminal offence and have the same rights as an adult.

Young offenders have the right to consult a lawyer, parent or guardian, or any other appropriate adult of their choice prior to discussing the offence.

What is very important to note is that under the Young Offenders Act, young offenders cannot have their identities disclosed.

Robbery

Robbery is one of the most terrifying crimes that can occur and is a potential threat to any business. Robbery is any situation in which violence, or the threat of violence, is used to prevent resistance in extorting property or money.

Having and practicing a robbery prevention program is vital to the security of any business. The safety of yourself, your fellow employees and your customers is too important to leave to chance. Experience has proven that having well-trained personel who follow such prevention programs can greatly reduce the threat of robbery.

Generally, there are three ingredients in a crime:

Motivation - Something motivates the criminal to commit an offence
Capability - An individual's ability to commit a crime successfully is increased when a weapon is used
Opportunity - The environment and circumstances are right for the criminal to attempt a robbery

There is little you can do about the first two points. So you have to concentrate on reducing opportunity.

Risk Avoidance: Stopping Things Before They Start

There is no one description of a person who might commit robbery. It may be someone addicted to drugs or alcohol and in need of money to support their habit. It may be a person who wants to enter a street gang but has to commit a crime to qualify. It may even be a person who is just down on their luck (unemployed, pressured) who doesn't feel they have a choice and won't break and enter because they don't know how to get rid of stolen good.

There are, however, a number of simple precautions that can be taken to help significantly reduce the chances of a robbery occurring at your establishment.

a. General Guidelines

Keep the store/office clean, uncluttered and active to discourage potential robbers
Be aware of display changes that block the view of the cash register from the outside
Be suspicious of anyone loitering outside
Greet each person as they come in, looking them directly in the eyes. A robber doesn't want attention
Maintain till limits by establishing a money drop system and advertise this fact
Marked money (bait money) should be in all denominations
Never leave the cash drawer unattended and lock it when away from the till
Determine possible hiding places outside, as well as possible escape routes
Keep alert at all times; be aware of what's going on outside the store
Perimeter and parking lot lights should be on at dusk
Ensure the premises has adequate lighting both inside and outside

b. Banking Procedures/Deposits

Leave the cash drawer open at the end of the day to show it is empty
Make daily deposits but don't have a specific routine - vary your routes and time
Don't make deposits after dark
Place the bank bag in a plain bag and don't display it openly
Don't go alone
Take a car or consider using an armored pick-up service

Staying Smart, Staying Safe: During the Robbery

A robbery in progress is virtually impossible to diffuse. With people around, emotions running high and a weapon involved, it is far more wise to apply some ground rules and common sense to ensure that no one gets hurt.

Stay calm and fully cooperate
Consider all firearms to be real
Be aware of a second suspect helping during the crime
Keep all your movements short and smooth; the longer things take, the more nervous a robber becomes
Don't make sudden moves
Carefully observe all you can about the robber without staring. Look for:

Hair colour & length
Eye colour
Tattoos
Right or left handed
Type of weapon
Height
Direction of escape
Make, model, licence of escape car or any other description (severe rust, fresh damage)
Any peculiarities of speech

Inform robber about any potential surprises (i.e. people in the back who may not know there is a robbery and walk out suddenly)
Inform the robber of any movement you have to make that may seem out of the ordinary and why
Make sure the robber gets marked money
If the robber gives you a note, try to keep it but don't handle it more than you have to

After the Robbery: Helping the Police

After a robbery, you still have to remain calm. There are a lot of things to be done that may help police apprehend the criminal later.

Set off the alarm to alert the police immediately
Call the police as well and wait on the line to give information to responding units

Direction of travel
Time of incident
Weapon used
Description of suspect(s) and vehicle

Never follow a robber yourself
Lock the doors
Maintain a supply of suspect description forms. Fill them out while waiting for the police. Have everyone in the store do this.
Don't compare notes - just do it yourself
Have all witnesses remain at the scene. If they refuse, ask them for their names and address and record this information.
Notify management or appropriate supervisor
Protect the crime scene by keeping witnesses and employees away from the actual area where the robbery occurred
Prepare a list of stolen items for police
Answer questions asked by police as accurately as possible
Cooperate with investigators by making employees available for interviews, suspect identification and presenting evidence in court procedures
Don't re-open the store until the police are finished, and you feel ready to do so.
Often victims find this is one experience they are not prepared for and have no knowledge of who to go to or where to turn.

SECURITY INQUIRIES

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	GENERAL INQUIRIES
	Call 623-4400 or 1-800-264-9501

	MONITORING STATION
	Call 345-2739 or 1-800-893-2739