In addition to being the ‘unofficial’ start of summer, Memorial Day is the official federal holiday when we remember and honor the men and women of the U.S. military who gave their lives in service to their country.
But on this day, while most Americans will be reflecting on the past, a select group will be looking forward—to robbing your commercial property, that is.
Extended holiday weekends, like Memorial Day, have long been a primetime opportunity for thieves to target warehouses, industrial sites, and other commercial businesses.
Here’s why: Burglars can break into your business on that Friday night, and it might be the next Tuesday morning before the theft is discovered. National crime data supports this notion:
Cargo theft is 43% higher and the average loss values are 253% higher during Memorial Day weekends compared to non-holiday weekends.*
Simply put, thieves look forward to Memorial Day the way your kids are eager for Christmas. Except in the thieves’ case, nobody’s checking a ‘who’s been naughty or nice’ list.
‘To Catch a Thief’ versus ‘To Stop a Thief’
So, how do you protect your commercial property from all those criminals who’ve circled Memorial Day weekend on their kitchen calendars with big smiley faces?
It starts with something we’ll call your ‘security philosophy,’ and it has everything to do with how you view your ‘relationship’ with would-be thieves.
Below are two of the more common security philosophies – which one most closely aligns with yours?
Philosophy #1: ‘To Catch a Thief’
“If somebody breaks in and steals from me, I want to make sure they’re apprehended (either during the act or after the fact) to prevent them from ever coming back for a second helping. My property and the goods contained inside are fully insured, so my priority is NOT to prevent the crime but to catch the criminal.”
Security experts refer to this security philosophy as the ‘detection’ approach. It’s the classic cat-and-mouse battle. The best-case scenario with detection occurs when a thief attempts a break-in but is caught in the act before they can escape.
The most common security detection measures include:
- High-definition surveillance cameras
- Active camera monitoring (like FORTIFEYE)
- Silent alarms
- Private security responders
Philosophy #2: ‘To Stop a Thief’
“I don’t want a thief anywhere near my buildings, property, or items contained inside. What I do want is to send them clear message that trying to steal from me is not worth their time or effort. When they case my property, I want them to immediately cross me off their list and go after the place next door.”
This security philosophy mirrors the ‘deterrence’ approach. It’s a psychological battle. The best-case scenario with deterrence occurs when a criminal assesses your security measures and decides against attempting the crime in the first place.
The most common security deterrence measures include:
- Perimeter fencing
- Electrified security fencing
- Perimeter lighting
- Alarms and sirens
- Security guards/dogs
AMAROK Recommends: A ‘Hybrid’ Approach
It’s important to note that these two security philosophies are NOT mutually exclusive, meaning you don’t have to choose one or the other. Business owners who use both security approaches have the best chance of avoiding any crime on their property. The deterrence measures serve as primary protection, while the detection measures serve as a backup failsafe.
Our point of view on this matter rests on a simple insight into the criminal mind:
In most cases, when a thief breaks into your property
with the intent to steal, it’s not personal.
It’s not a crime of passion but of opportunity. That thief is merely looking for a score—he’s not trying to settle one.
This philosophy of deterrence reminds us of the adage about the two guys walking in the woods who encounter a bear:
One man says, “We’ll never outrun that bear!”
The other man replies, “I don’t have to outrun the bear—just you.”
Do your security measures make it easy for criminals to land their score making you the target? Or, do you make it difficult for them, so they’ll most likely bypass your business for an easier mark?
Contact AMAROK to learn more about our Ultimate Perimeter Solutions that are designed to deter thieves – so there is no need to deal with the aftermath of a crime. AMAROK deters criminals in three ways: a shock deterrent, a physical deterrent, and an alarm deterrent. Installing The Electric Guard Dog system is an effective way to prevent theft at your business.
About AMAROK
AMAROK™ is a full-perimeter security company based in Columbia, South Carolina, that provides commercial security services throughout the United States and Canada. Specializing in electric fencing and perimeter security systems for commercial properties; AMAROK provides supplemental surveillance solutions, including cameras, lights, and alarms.
Together, these business security services form the ultimate crime prevention solution for any commercial property or industrial business.
*SOURCE: SensiGuard/CargoNet
