By Spike Speicher,
Strategic Security Services, Inc.
Last month’s article was titled Copper Theft – Still a Growing Problem. I need to update the update with some very encouraging news. The same week that I wrote the article, there was a press conference given by the San Jose and Santa Clara Police Departments to showcase the results of a metal scrap yard sting. The sting resulted in 74 arrests and the confiscation of over 14 tons of copper.
What is most disturbing about the sting was the confiscation of 50 shotguns, assault rifles and other weapons. They also confiscated 40 stolen automobiles and other valuable articles such as jewelry, laptop computers, bikes, office equipment and construction tools. Of even more concern was the confiscation of bombs that could be set-off by cell phones. The Silicon Valley continues to be a gathering spot for criminals of all kinds. As property managers and owners, we all have to be very vigilant to protect our properties, assets, tenants and visitors.
Most Silicon Valley companies and facilities now have very extensive electronic security equipment and systems. Security officers monitor closed circuit television (CCTV) from sophisticated control rooms and record what the cameras see on high resolution digital DVD recorders. Roving officers can be dispatched by radio to any area requiring an emergency response. Can they respond quickly enough? Are they well trained to handle a critical situation? Is there a security officer who is available to respond? These are all questions that need to be answered by your security department, property manager and/or security vendor.
Most companies and property owners have electronic access control systems that monitor the traffic going into and out of the buildings and facilities. Are they monitored properly? Are terminated employee badges removed in a timely manner from the data base of employees? If an employee loses his/her badge, is the badge removed quickly from the system data base?
I am aware of a recent lost badge that was used for illegal access to a company’s facility before the loss was even reported to the security department. The security department could report what time the suspect entered the building, monitor his movements throughout the building via the CCTV system and observe what was stolen. He was not after laptops, purses, iPods and such, he was looking in offices for proprietary confidential information that he could easily hide in a backpack. The security department also monitored what time he left and from which door. The police now have excellent pictures of the suspect but no arrest has been made yet.
All these questions and more should be asked of your security department and supplier prior to any incident. Your security needs to be at least as strong and effective as those companies and facilities that are near you. If not, you become an “easy target”.
But can you do more? The answer is yes. It begins with education, more specifically security education. Employees and tenants must have training in security awareness. They need to be trained to look for abnormal situations and respond with calls to your security professionals or law enforcement personnel.
Employees need to be aware of “tailgating” and how dangerous it is to let someone into the building, with or without an employee badge. Employees need to have the security awareness to ask someone who does not have a badge visible to identify himself/herself. Is it necessary to contact the security department for help? Can your employee identify the person’s clothing, height, weight and distinguishing features? They also must be aware that for their own safety, they should not confront a suspicious person in anyway that might turn the situation into a violent one.
Employees need to be aware of their own personal safety and how to keep potential threatening situations from happening. If it is dark outside when an employee or visitor is ready to leave the building, call the security team for an escort. Wherever and whenever you walk, be aware of happening around you. Is someone following you? Is there someone too close to your car? Is someone watching your purse or wallet? Everyone needs to be “street smart”. Personal security education is important for every employee.
Make sure you have at least annual training on crime prevention and personal safety for your employees and tenants. It can be a strong deterrent for crime. A safe working environment improves the morale of all employees and reduces the potential for theft and lawsuits.
J. H. “Spike” Speicher
National Accounts Manager
Strategic Security Services, Inc.
A Subsidiary of Command Security Corporation |
