Business Safety Watch - What Businesses Can Do About Crime
- Work with law enforcement
- Get others involved
- Form a Business Safety Watch
How does a Business Safety Watch work?
It works by showing businesses and their employees they are not powerless against crime. It does this through:
- Crime prevention training
- Business assistance
- "Phone Trees"
- Business patrols
- Improving conditions
Here's how to start a Business Safety Watch:
- Inform law enforcement
- Survey the business area
- Invite other businesses to a meeting
- Define your territory
- Set priorities
Your Watch Group can do something about specific problems facing your business area, such as:
- Violence in the work place
- Break-ins
- Vandalism
- Drug Dealers
- Assault
Protecting your business area is a big job. Law enforcement and local government are a resource to help you. Although the police can't be everywhere, your Watch group can be their "eyes and ears" by looking out for:
- Suspicious people
- Suspicious vehicles
- Suspicious activity
- Know how to report your suspicions
Getting People Involved
Businesses at first may be wary about taking part. To overcome this, you can:
- Bring businesses together with a common goal
- Keep in touch with area businesses
- Maintain interest in crime prevention
For more information on business security or the Business Safety Watch program, please call the Community Services Section at 258-3636.