Thieves and criminals look forward to national holidays like July 4th too, but for un-patriotic reasons. Holidays offer opportunities to steal valuable property in large quantities—when no one is around. With a little due diligence to prepare your property, you don’t have to be a victim.
Just remember CPR – Check, Prepare, Report – and have a great Fourth of July!
Facilities:
Check
- Check that alarms and surveillance systems are working.
- Walk the perimeter to make sure it’s properly secured.
- Check on lighting. Replace non-working fixtures.
- Review timer so lights come on while facility is closed.
Prepare
- Perform a security system test. Is monitoring service receiving signals?
- Use an alarm backup system with verified response capabilities.
- Remove keys from all equipment (forklifts) and secure them.
Report
- Report system faults right away.
- Ensure company alarm call list is current and contains valid phone numbers.
- Contact law enforcement and ask for additional patrols in the area.
Freight In-Transit:
Check
- Perform an initial overall check of the vehicle before leaving it unattended for any length of time.
- Check on the unattended vehicles as frequently as possible.
Prepare
- Secure the tractor and trailer with a steering wheel locking device, kingpin locks, glad-hand locks.
- Lock trailer doors. Do NOT leave keys inside tractor.
- Only leave vehicles in secured lots with good lighting and surveillance.
- Park within view of cameras.
Report
- Notify dispatch of your whereabouts frequently.
- Use tracking in the freight with geo-fencing and alert notification.
- Gather with your team to discuss perimeter security as soon as possible.
Don’t wait until the day before a holiday to review security procedures and protocols. Apply these suggestions to help maintain the integrity of your security system and keep the criminal element on the outside.
