Five Tips To Keep Burglars Away From Your Business

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Release: Prince William County Police Department

There has been an increase in commercial burglaries in Lake Ridge. Criminals are forcing entry into the businesses with an unknown tool; cash has been the primary item targeted. See the tips below that can assist in increasing the security of your building.

Do not hide cash in the business

• Obtain a safe to store cash and other valuables.
• Fire safes are not rated for loss by theft. Plate steel safes are built by welding solid sheets of steel together. Composite built safes offer both fire and theft protection, but cost more than single-purpose safes.
• Ensure your safe has a UL rating (Underwriters Laboratories 687—Burglary Resistant). UL rates safes according to tool, torch and explosive resistance. UL rating labels are generally found on the door of the safe, and are permanently attached. We recommend a safe rated no less than TRTL 15x6.

Burglary-resistant window treatments

• Protective films are extremely effective at slowing down intruders to the point where they simply go somewhere else.
• To penetrate glass with protective films requires repeated and attention-getting blows. The criminal won’t want to risk getting caught or noticed before they break in.
• We recommend using Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-972 listed products.

Use a monitored alarm system

• Ensure everyone in your business is trained in using the alarm system AND it is activated when the business is closed.
• Call the Police when you are notified by your alarm company of activation.
• Register your alarm system with the County. Call 703-792-7281 or 703-792-6687 or go to https://www.pwcgov.org/apps/crywolf/ for on-line registration.

Consider installing a surveillance system in the business

• Video images can be very effective in a criminal investigation.
• Verify all cameras (internal and external) are working and properly maintained.
• Be trained in how to download images from your system to provide to detectives.
• Maintain archives of surveillance images for no less than 31 days.

Contact the PWCPD Crime Prevention Unit

• Officers can provide you with additional information on any of the topics listed here.
• Schedule a FREE security assessment for your business.