Protect Yourself from Office Theft

Although, nationally, crime has dropped in the current recession, countering predictions that crime would rise in a recession, some individual crimes have increased. One of those crimes is burglary and theft from office buildings.

Although many people follow the logic that when the economy goes sour, people without jobs turn to a life of crime, many don’t take into account the fact that if people don’t have jobs, they are home more. Considering that the majority of residential burglaries take place during the day, when the residents are at work, more people at home during the day cuts down on the number of these types of crimes.

However, with an increase of people at home, where does a thief turn for easy pickings? Office buildings.

Offices

Offices, especially if they are part of large, multi-office complexes, are filled with people in nice clothing and delivery men coming and going at all times of the day. If you work in a large, busy office, you’re probably used to seeing strangers walk through your office as if they know where they are going. And you probably don’t think twice about it.

It’s Easy for Criminals to Blend In

Criminals take advantage of this nonchalance to pilfer cubicles filled with laptops, computer screens, purses, and cash. In an unprotected building, it’s fairly easy for a stranger in a suit to walk in, act like they know where they’re going, find an empty cubicle and walk out with a laptop (or two).

Suggestions for Preventing Office Theft

Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself and your coworkers from being victims of a daylight, office theft:

1. Makes sure your office places workers in clear view of entrances and exits. Make sure there is someone responsible for asking unknown visitors through those entrances if they need help or who they are looking for.
2. Talk with your building manager about unmonitored entrances. Although many buildings have a security guard at the front entrance, they may not have cameras or guards posted at parking garage doors or service entrances.
3. Barring any other type of security, make sure you are aware of who is in the office and what they are doing. If you see someone you don’t recognize, ask them who they are, and how you can help them. If they are there for a legitimate purpose, they’ll just think you are trying to be helpful. If they can’t state a purpose or don’t give you their name, don’t be afraid to ask them to leave, or call the police if you are suspicious.
4. BUT, under no circumstances should you attempt to attack someone who seems suspicious or is trying to steal from you or your office. You may lose a laptop, but that’s better than losing your life in a confrontation with a person who could be carrying a gun or knife. Once the threat has gone, call security or the police.

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Tagged as: burglary, citizen involvement, community safety, crime, crime prevention, office, personal safety, public safety, safety, theft