Contact: Lt. Brian Cheek
Phone: (336) 373-7329

GPD Offers Safety Tips to City Businesses

GREENSBORO, NC – (November 12, 2007) – In recent weeks, businesses along East Market Street have experienced a string of robberies. The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) has arrested several individuals in connection with these crimes, but businesses along the thoroughfare – and throughout the city – are still encouraged to practice robbery prevention measures.

The Police Department’s robbery squad suggests the following safety tips for owners of commercial establishments and their employees.

• Invest in a monitored security system with video surveillance equipment and a hold-up alarm system.
• Install appropriate lighting around your business. Make sure you also have a timed delay switch to turn off exterior lights after your employees have gone for the night. And, be sure all employees know how to use the systems correctly.
• Never block the view into your store by crowding display windows. It’s important for you to be able to see what’s going on outside your establishment and for police officers to be able to see inside at all times.
• Mark the inside of your doorways at varying heights. This will help police identify a robber’s height when they review your surveillance video.
• Secure your teller and cashier operations and keep your safe locked at all times. If possible, install barriers to keep unauthorized persons out of these areas.
• Keep cash on the premises to a minimum. Frequently pick up money from registers and make regular bank deposits. However, don’t get into a predictable routine when making bank deposits. Robbers will soon learn it.
• Use two people to open and close your business each day, if possible. Establish a system of prearranged signals for one person outside to give the all-clear signal to the other person inside.
• If someone suspicious enters and then leaves your establishment, lock the door immediately and then call 911. A few more possible sales aren’t worth being victimized. Never try to call while the suspect is still inside. Reopen after the police have arrived and checked the area.
• If you’re held up by a robber, try to remain calm. Never resist the demands or try to overpower the person. Instead, focus your energy on observing the person or people carefully for any identifying features, characteristics or verbal sounds, such as accents or stutters.
• Report the robbery to police immediately after the suspect leaves, and don’t hang up the phone until police arrive. If possible, protect the crime scene; don’t let anyone disturb anything the robber may have touched. 
• Have frequent meetings with your employees to familiarize them with the prevention measures you initiate.

The GPD’s Community Resource Teams are available to provide security assessments of Greensboro businesses. To request an assessment, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Police/Citizens/communityresource/securitysurvey.htm.

For more information, call Sgt. Pam Rogers at (336) 373-2570.

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.