By: Celeste Simmons

There are many ways a business can reduce the likelihood of a crime being committed at their store. Simple tips can save you from becoming a victim, if you put them into practice at your business.

With the suggestions listed below, you can monitor your retail establishment and prevent potential problems by covering these discussion topics with your employees?

Money Practices:

*Keep only a small amount of cash on hand. Post this announcement in your store, so that potential crimes can be prevented by raising awareness to the public.

*Make bank deposits every day, not allowing the extra cash to stay at the business longer than 24 hours. Vary your deposit time and route on a weekly basis. Be aware of the fact that most crimes occur after sunset. Secure your cash into a time- locked safe before then.

*Consider buying a time delayed safe, and eliminate the need for keys and passwords. If a theft situation arises, having one person on site with keys, or one individual to remember a tricky five- step password combination only escalates the problem, and makes the ones involved extremely nervous in that situation.

*Never count cash at a front counter or in any public areas. Make sure that you (the owner or manager) designate where you want the cash counted. Have cameras mounted there for accountability purposes.

Monitor Your Safety:

*Make sure your burglar alarms really work! Modern security systems can link your office cameras with the internet, and you can watch your business's activities from the comfort of your own home! Learn how to view recorded images on your security cameras. Police can use these images to catch the perpetrator and bring him to justice!

*Use the neighborhood watch benefits. If your store is in a strip or complex, then use the benefit of having multiple pairs of eyes to help you watch the property. Have neighboring stores phone numbers on hand, and use them to report any suspicious activity you observe.

*Keep windows and doors locked at all times. Consider installing access control at all doorways, so that only designated personnel can come in. Have your door re-keyed often if you have a high rate of employee loss.

*Install cameras in VISIBLE places, and in areas of concern and high risk.

*Install exterior and interior lighting to allow visibility into your establishment from the parking lots outside.

Employee Protection & Education:

*Offer training on what is a ?suspicious? character, and how to handle a threat or robbery situation. Let employees know that if they are ever in that situation, to remember to stay calm, and to make an effort at remembering what clothing the burglar had on, their height, weight, eye color, and any identifying traits or marks they see. The police will need details of this nature to make a report.

*Provide your employees with secure areas to keep their personal items safe and protected. Purses and shopping bags should be stowed away properly, or in lockers in the back of the store.

*Make sure you have more than one person to open and close your store.

*Enforce a mandatory screening process before hiring new employees.

Internal Theft:

Studies show that internal shrink is attributed to 30% or more of employer loss! Minimize your risks of this happening to your business by applying these helpful business hints.

*Inform employees that unnecessary waste is not accepted. From proper use and disposal of items, to purchasing new ones, cover these areas of expectancy with your employees. Develop inventory control procedures and set guidelines of use.

*Consider having cameras installed to view theft vulnerable areas. Areas of concern such as the supply closet, back door, or the loading dock should be monitored 24 hours a day.

*Have your employee's background checked, and issue a mandatory drug screening. When hiring a new employee, it's just good business practice to get the appropriate ?references? for who you are hiring.

*Set policies for cash on hand, petty cash, and how to handle it properly. If you have a register that needs to be checked or counted every few hours, make sure this is never done at the front counter, or in front of customers.

Be sure to set employee policies and guidelines of what is expected in inventory management and handling cash. Research shows that internal theft is lower in the establishments that are specific with their policies on these issues.

*Helpful Hint: You can schedule a risk analysis of your business with the local police or sheriffs department.

Get involved in your community or neighborhood to help stop crime before it is ever committed. Rehearse possible ?theft? scenarios with your co-workers and employees and have a plan for prevention! Preparation is always the best prevention plan.

Author, Celeste Simmons, is a freelance writer and publicist. She has worked as a consultant and handles public relations for STEALTH SECURITY SERVICES, and you can receive information at their website: www.stealthsecurityservices.com Or www.stealth-video.com Call for more info @ 1-800-WE-WATCH

Celeste Simmons has also authored two books, ?You Know she's A Princess When??and ?The Adventures of Booger Malone? sold at www.bookkat.com. Celeste Simmons is available for comments at Third Dimension Publishing: 706-602-0398, and by email: celesims@hotmail.com