As the City of Angels continues to see a spike in crime, robberies, and assaults, Los Angeles businesses should reassess how they protect their assets, employees, and themselves.
Some retailers have already taken steps to decrease the potential for theft. For example, in 2019, Walmart placed products prone to theft behind glass encasings. If you want to purchase LEGO sets, motor oil, or canister paint, you need to page an associate.
Other Los Angeles retailers took similar steps. Walgreens and CVS place laundry detergent pods and deodorant behind glass encasings.
Glass encasings are getting the job done. However, a company is still responsible for the safety of its employees. Plus, they have to keep in mind personal injury claims against them from customers.
Here we outline top best practices for business security in Los Angeles by business type.
Hire Security Guards
The top best practice for business security in Los Angeles is hiring armed security guards. Even though they carry arms, it doesn’t mean that they show them off.
Security guards receive training. Plus, they pass several tests before receiving certification. Companies that provide guards ensure they hire the best. Guards help diffuse situations. In addition, they know how to prevent them from becoming chaotic.
Their presence alone acts as a deterrent against those with nefarious intentions.
Retail
Your retail establishment can take a cue from the big box stores and drugstore retailers. To protect your business, consider placing theft-prone items in glass encasings.
Another best practice is to install working locks on all doors. In addition, protect the exits.
Food Establishments
For food establishments, several already keep a low amount of cash on site. With the move toward cashless payments, it means having even less cash on hand.
This is a great practice that protects the employees, especially late at night.
Consider adopting cashless payment systems as they become available and as customers request them. It speeds up the check-out process too.
Small Businesses
In 2017, an estimated 244,000 small businesses operated in Los Angeles. In 2021, the number ballooned to 1.6 million. The number includes those in the food, services, and manufacturing sector.
Small business security falls on the owner, and your budget is often proportional to the company’s size. Security starts with hiring the best employees. Complete background checks and ensures that the hire poses no security risks.
If the time and cost to complete a background check are high, outsource the task.
When the company does store high-value machines, goods, or assets, practice good sense. Some individuals set off the alarms. Then the time is the response time. They may repeat the process until you no longer respond. Then they take action.
Office Environments
Most office environments carry no cash or products prone to theft. However, most have teams of people working there. Therefore, the company owner, management team, and executives must provide a safe environment.
In addition to hiring employees who do not pose a security risk, task a staff member with spotting warning signs.
People don’t like to lose their jobs. Establish a process for letting go of employees. For example, if the firing is effective immediately, have someone pack the individual’s belongings during the meeting.
You want to prevent them from returning to their desks. In law firms, marketing agencies, and accounting companies, contacts are vital. An individual may attempt to take their client’s information with them.
Ask them for an itemized list of their belongings. Pack them and ship them to their address.
Information Technology
Most companies have adopted the latest technology to run their business. They store their data and documents in the Cloud. Their employees use email and others use the chat.
The more technology a company adopts, the more susceptible they become to hacks. Thus, it’s important to adopt security for all IT.
Some companies offer armed guards and security services for IT. For a small business, it makes sense to bundle the services. Corporations and large-sized companies benefit from setting up a dedicated IT department.
Conclusion
Doing business in Los Angeles has become trickier. The same goes for other California cities such as San Francisco. Overcoming security challenges means taking a proactive approach. Hiring security guards is a great step. Coupling them with video security increases vigilance. Thereafter, take into consideration the business type and adopt measures accordingly.