PINE BLUFF, AR — Overall, the crime rate in Pine Bluff has gone down. The latest numbers show February 2014 — compared to February 2015 — there’s a nearly 12% drop.
However, business robberies are holding steady and police want to change that. So, officers are visiting businesses passing along eight simple tips that owners and employees can use to help protect their possessions.
The owner of Record Rack, Patrick Strachota, says he has surveillance cameras, a security system and an automatic door lock if a customer tries to get away with something. He says he feels protected.
Strachota said, “I’m the type of person that has chased down the shoplifters. In fact, I tackled one of them on Olive Street.”
Officers with the Pine Bluff Police Department encourage business owners to take extra precautions to prevent crime.
Officer Richard Wegner said, “Here lately, robberies have been plateaued out. They’re staying in one spot.”
The past couple weeks officers have been visiting local businesses, arming owners with a list of tips.
Those tips include:
1) Make sure doors are locked while shutting the business down.
2) Pick random times to lock the doors and let customers in during the end of the day.
3) If your business is open 24 hours, having magnetic push button locks installed on the doors is a good idea.
4) Keep a working camera system.
5) Do not keep money drops or bank deposits on a set schedule. Transfer money at random times and do not keep large amounts of money on hand.
6) Use at least two employees to transfer money.
7) If your business keeps money on hand for things like check cashing, it would be a good idea to hire a security guard.
8) Be vigilant at or near closing time. This has historically been the choice time for criminals to rob businesses.
However, business robberies are holding steady and police want to change that. So, officers are visiting businesses passing along eight simple tips that owners and employees can use to help protect their possessions.
The owner of Record Rack, Patrick Strachota, says he has surveillance cameras, a security system and an automatic door lock if a customer tries to get away with something. He says he feels protected.
Strachota said, “I’m the type of person that has chased down the shoplifters. In fact, I tackled one of them on Olive Street.”
Officers with the Pine Bluff Police Department encourage business owners to take extra precautions to prevent crime.
Officer Richard Wegner said, “Here lately, robberies have been plateaued out. They’re staying in one spot.”
The past couple weeks officers have been visiting local businesses, arming owners with a list of tips.
Those tips include:
1) Make sure doors are locked while shutting the business down.
2) Pick random times to lock the doors and let customers in during the end of the day.
3) If your business is open 24 hours, having magnetic push button locks installed on the doors is a good idea.
4) Keep a working camera system.
5) Do not keep money drops or bank deposits on a set schedule. Transfer money at random times and do not keep large amounts of money on hand.
6) Use at least two employees to transfer money.
7) If your business keeps money on hand for things like check cashing, it would be a good idea to hire a security guard.
8) Be vigilant at or near closing time. This has historically been the choice time for criminals to rob businesses.