Archive for the ‘Business Security’ Category

While Toronto is generally a safe city, crime does unfortunately occur. Property crime is one of the most common crimes and it can affect almost anyone at any time.

The Toronto Star recently published a list of property crime by area. The top 20 Toronto neighbourhoods with the most property crime are:

• Southwest Parkdale
• Greenwood/Gerrard/railway
• Steeles/Jane/Finch/Gosford
• Overlea Blvd/Thorncliffe Park
• Queen/Dundas/Spadina/Bathurst
• Northwest of Victoria Park/Danforth
• Lawrence/McCowan/Brimley/401
• Winchester/Parliament/DVP/Bloor
• Southwest of Lawrence/Markham Rd
• Carlton/Dundas/Jarvis/Parliament
• Bloor/Dovercourt/College/Brock
• Albion/Kipling/Martin Grove/Mt Olive
• Hampton/Danforth/Bain/Pape
• Lake Shore/23rd St/lake/13th St
• Winchester/Parliament/DVP/Gerrard
• Queen/Dundas/Jarvis/Parliament
• Sheppard/Highbury/Jane/401
• Bloor/Roncesvalles/Sorauren/Wright
• Finch/Bathurst/cemetery/Senlac
• Danforth between Main and Woodbine

The crimes that were tracked in those statistics include: Breaking and entering, motor vehicle or bicycle theft, possession of stolen property, theft, shoplifting and mischief against property or causing property damage.

What these statistics show us is that, unfortunately, property crime take place in a variety of areas all across the city. It’s not confined to one neighbourhood and it’s not easy to determine a pattern between areas with a high level of property crime.

You need to protect yourself against property crime regardless of where you live in Toronto.

As per Toronto Star bellow are listed the high burglary rates:

Here are the top 20:
1 University
2 Bay Street Corridor
3 Kensington-Chinatown
4 Moss Park
5 Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills
6 East End-Danforth
7 Casa Loma
8 York University Heights
9 Annex
10 Church-Yonge Corridor
11 Waterfront Communities-The Island
12 Rosedale-Moore Park
13 Woodbine Corridor
14 Clairlea-Birchmount
15 West Humber-Clairville
16 South Riverdale
17 Little Portugal
18 Roncesvalles
19 The Beaches
20 Forest Hill South

Security cameras and appropriate home alarm systems and commercial alarm systems can go a long way to protecting your property and ensuring that you do not become a victim of property crime. Not only will these security systems deter criminals from attempting to break into or damage your property, but they will also make it easier for the authorities to catch and identify the criminals after the fact.

For more information on Toronto crime statistics, please visit the Neighbourhood Crime Report section of this security blog.

Home security systems and business security systems are great ways to keep your property safe. Installing alarm systems, security cameras, window bars, gates and other security services can certainly keep your property secure.

However, there is one aspect of security that people often overlook: Lighting.

Having proper lighting around your home or office is a very effective way to protect your property. How? It goes back to one of the most basic aspects of security: Criminals do not want to be seen.

This is the same reason why security cameras are so effective. No one wants to be caught breaking into a building or vandalizing a property. Not only does being seen increase the risk of being noticed while the crime is taking place, but it also greatly increases the risk that the criminal will be identified and caught by police. Having proper lighting will deter criminals.

You can make your home or office safer and protect it from danger by installing security lighting in various key locations. Take a look at your property and try to get inside the mind of a potential criminal. Think of places where the criminal could hide in the shadows. Think of where he or she could plan an attack. Then light those places. If you have adequate lighting, you’ll eliminate places where criminals can hide.

You’ll also want to illuminate the areas around doors and windows. If these locations are lit up, criminals won’t be able to attempt a break-in without being noticed. Lighting also helps security cameras capture more detailed video, which will make it easier to catch criminals in the act and hold them responsible for their crimes.

Lighting can also protect your person, not just your property. Criminals often lurk in the darkness while they wait to strike. It’s important to have proper lighting near your driveway, your garage, your garden, the walkway to your home and any other areas where you could be in danger of an attack.

Two of the most popular types of lighting are motion-activated lights and lights that are activated by darkness. Motion-activated lights turn on whenever someone walks by them. These are great because they are energy-efficient. You’ll only use the lights when you need them. They can also startle a burglar if they turn on suddenly. Lights that are activated by darkness turn on  automatically during the light or other low-light times. These are great because you don’t have to remember to turn them on and off all the time.

We recommend that you use a mixture of both types of lighting. For more information on home and business security services, please contact us today.

Detection Systems are a key element of Eletronic Artcile Surveillance

No matter the inventory or the clientele, retail sales outlets are popular targets of shop lifting and theft. There are a variety of security solutions that many stores implement in hopes of combating this inventory loss including, security surveillance cameras and security guards. However, the most widely used anti-theft security option is electronic article surveillance or EAS. While electronic article surveillance may sound unfamiliar chances are you have seen it in action at many retail outlets across Canada. Every time you are in a store and you hear an individual set off an alarm as they exit, that is electronic article surveillance at work.

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Security Monitoring

Most of us are familiar with the term home alarm system. We know what alarm systems are and for the most part we know how they function. Chances are we have seen an alarm system at a store or a friend or family member’s home; at the very least most of us have seen the alarm system logos and decals on store or home windows, or home alarm lawn signs throughout our neighbourhood. However, most of us don’t realize the amount of protection that comes with the installation of an alarm system in a home or business. The security protection does not end with the alarm system as many are backed by security monitoring. It is the security monitoring that increases the level of protection; it is the security monitoring that enables your home alarm system to become a virtual security guard while you are away. The security monitoring of an alarm system is the most important aspect of home security.

Security Monitoring Station

When a home or business alarm is installed, the owner has the option to elect for security monitoring. SafeTech will even install your alarm system for free, when you agree to a three year monitoring contract. What this means is that the alarm will be linked up with a central monitoring station that employs staff who will watch over your security alarm system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a home or business that has security monitoring is broken into, the alarm lets the monitoring station know right away. When the alarm sounds, a staff member from the monitoring station will call the home or business immediately to see what the cause of the alarm was. If the owners don’t answer, or they do and indicate that their home security has been breached the security monitoring station will call the authorities and dispatch them to your home. If the owners indicate it was a false alarm the security monitoring station can help determine what caused the false alarm.

Security Monitoring’s Great Feature

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We are entering the heart of winter, blistering cold temperatures, bone chilling winds, heavy snow storms, wet sleet and slush storms are all weather conditions that we will endure over the next few months. It is obvious that these extreme weather conditions we face during the Canadian winter can wreak havoc on any of your exterior security surveillance equipment. The damp air, freezing temperatures and strong winds can interfere with the signal of your camera or worse destroy your camera completely. Since security cameras are not only a monetary investment but an investment in the safety of your property or family it is imperative that if your security camera is going to be exposed to the elements it should be weatherproofed.

Weatherproof security surveillance cameras are the best option for providing security surveillance in extreme Canadian weather conditions. The reason being is that weatherproof cameras are mounted inside an all-weather and waterproof housing. This housing protects the camera from the elements but does not take away from the quality of video it can record. The sealed housing prevents damage that is easily caused by humidity, water, wind, condensation and snow. As a result weatherproof security cameras offer the best exterior security protection for homes or businesses. A weatherproof camera may also be useful in some interior locations. Areas such as workshops, warehouses etc where there may be a lot of dust and debris present can be harmful to security cameras. A weatherproof security camera can also combat these conditions.

All of the weatherproof security cameras that SafeTech provides can be easily synced up with a SafeTech security alarm system to significantly add to your level of protection. Recent statistics indicate that the amount of loss can be reduced by 50% with the proper installation of security cameras, when coupled with an alarm system these stats can be reduced even further. To learn more about SafeTech’s weatherproof security cameras contact us today.

The holiday season is upon us. The streets are full of snow, houses are decorated with bright colourful lights and Santa Claus is making appearances at malls throughout North America to see what children want for Christmas. Now that we are in the final few weeks before Christmas those of us who left the holiday shopping to the last minute are dashing off to the malls to purchase gifts for friends and family. This time of year stores and malls are packed full of people and unfortunately this type of environment can be a prime target for criminal activity. In the past, the main security concern in big crowds was pick pocketing, if you let your guard down for even a second you could lose your purse, cell phone or wallet. However, these days a new criminal phenomenon is emerging called electronic pick pocketing, where a criminal can steal your credit card number without even touching you.

Electronic pick pocketing relies on radio frequency identification technology or RFID. This is the technology present in credit or debit cards that allows you to make a purchase with a simple swipe over a scanner placed at the cashier of many stores throughout North America. While this technology allows for a great deal of convenience while making your holiday purchases it could also leave you open to electron pick pocketing. Criminals can purchase the RFID scanners that stores use online for as little as $100. Once they have the scanner they can conceal it in a computer case or bag and attach it wirelessly to a small notebook computer. They can then walk through a crowd scanning people’s purse or pockets with the concealed scanner and in seconds transfer individuals credit card numbers, expiry dates and even names to the nearby notebook computer. Over the course of an hour a criminal could get hundreds of credit card numbers. Once the numbers are in the computer they can easily be sent around the world and used to make purchases in your name.

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Holiday Rush increases Security Issues for Commercial Retailers

We are about to enter the busiest shopping period of the entire year. For the next month retail stores are going to see a tremendous influx in the amount of traffic they receive as customers commence their holiday shopping. While the increase in customers is fantastic it can be a little overwhelming to stores that are unprepared. An increase in traffic can be a drain on your staff and resources and could potentially leave you more vulnerable to shop lifting and inventory loss. Here are a few tips to protect your business from the unfortunate side effects of the holiday shopping rush.

The first thing you can do to protect your business and inventory is install a security camera. As discussed on this blog last week security cameras are a great deterrent to potential theft as the threat of being videotaped makes criminals think twice. Placing a camera in a high traffic area where it can be clearly seen alerts potential shoplifters that they are being recorded. Camera’s can also be placed in store rooms to ensure your employees are not engaging in shoplifting. This is an important step during the holiday rush as many stores take on additional staff that they are unfamiliar with. A security camera will keep everyone honest.

Another step you can take to protect your retail store safe during the holiday shopping rush is hiring a security guard. Security guards are the best deterrent toward shoplifting. To criminals a security guard represents a very real chance of being apprehended while engaging in criminal activity. A uniformed security guard strategically placed at the entrance to a commercial retail store can significantly cut down on the loss of inventory. In addition a retail store can opt to hire a plain clothed security guard to pose as a shopper and get a closer look at potential shoplifters. Plain clothed guards experience tremendous success rates when hired for the holiday season. The larger the retail space the more security guards you will need for the holiday rush. If you already employ a security guard it may be a good idea to hire a second for this incredibly busy month.

If you are interested in installing security cameras, surveillance equipment or security guards to protect your store this holiday season contact us today. We can also provide you with additional tips on keeping your inventory safe this month.

Audio version of this article: http://www.safetechalarms.com/podcast/commercial-security-tips-for-holiday-shopping-rush.mp3
Also you can download this audio file and you can listen on your personal MP3 player.

If you have been following the news over the last few months chances are you have heard of David Chen. Chen is the grocer in Toronto’s Chinatown who made a citizens arrest of a shoplifter that had been routinely stealing inventory from his store. Chen’s brave fulfillment of civic duty has caused stirs across the country, there is great debate as to whether or not he should have pursued the serial shoplifter or left it to authorities. The aspect of the story I would like to focus on is how Chen was able to recognize the shoplifter when he returned to the scene of his earlier crimes.

Store Owner David Chen talks to the Media about his Citizens Arrest

Like all store owners Chen was greatly concerned with the security of his inventory, for after all his inventory was his livelihood. As a result Chen installed a security camera and positioned it looking over his store. When Chen noticed that some of his plants had gone missing he immediately reviewed his security tapes and was able to watch the crime take place. Thanks to his security camera Chen was able to place a positive identification on the thief and instantly recognized him when he returned later that day in an attempt to steal more. Once Chen spotted him pursued him and made a citizens arrest. Thanks to his security camera Chen was able to protect his businesses from further theft while at the same time apprehending a criminal who had victimized him.

Chen’s story is an excellent example of how a security camera can help you project your business. Whether you own a small grocery store in Toronto’s Chinatown or a large warehouse in an industrial park you are susceptible to theft, break-ins, property damage and other crimes. Security cameras can help to deter crime if they are placed in a highly visible area as most criminals will not take the chance of being recorded in the act of committing a crime. If a criminal does commit a crime in front of a security camera the recorded evidence will help authorities catch them and hold them accountable for their actions. Chen’s security camera protection does not end with his citizens arrest story. Two days before he was to appear in court to get hear the final ruling on his citizens arrest case he caught two more shoplifters through the aid of his security camera. For more information on security cameras please visit the SafeTech website.

Audio version of this article: http://www.safetechalarms.com/podcast/how-security-cameras-protect-businesses.mp3

In the past you were more likely to see a biometric security system in science fiction movies or high level military compounds then you were in regular offices. However, technological advances in the last few years have made these high-tech security systems far more accessible to the greater public. Biometric security systems are currently used in a variety of offices and business around the world as an excellent means of security and access control.

Biometric security systems offer a highly advanced form of identification. These systems verify an individual’s identity through either physical or behaviour characteristics that may include hand geometry, retinal scans, voice prints or facial characteristics. When a Biometric System is integrated into an office’s security system employees are required to give their biometric information which is then stored in a database. Every time the individual tries to gain entrance into a secured area the biometric system will access this database to determine whether the individual has access to that area. Because it is impossible to replicate individuals biometric information these security systems are often regarded as some of the best security systems in the world.

There are various types of biometric security systems that different companies are developing. The first and most common type of biometric security systems is fingerprint recognition. These systems measure the various ridges and valleys that are unique to an individuals finger print to determine identity. Another form of biometric technology is facial recognition. This system identifies individuals by analyzing certain facial characteristics such as the distance between the eyes or the length of the nose. A third form of biometric security systems deals with the analysis of the shape of an individual’s hand. While this system is not as exact as others it is still useful for verification purposes. Iris recognition is a biometric security system that has been popularized in many science fiction movies. In this system the coloured ring that surrounds the pupil is measured to determine the identity of an individual. The final form of biometric technology is voice recognition. These systems are based on software that measures the tone, pitch and cadence of an individual’s voice. These systems are often available as security systems for laptops or computers.

Biometrics was once viewed as a futuristic technology that was unavailable to the everyday person. These days many security companies offer you the chance to protect your business with the most advanced security systems available. For more information on biometric technology contact SafeTech Alarm Systems today.

You can download the file and you can listen on your personal MP3 player.
Pod Cast Audio version of this article: http://www.safetechalarms.com/podcast/Biometric-Security-Systems.mp3

At the end of September Statistics Canada released a report indicating that the amount of crimes going unreported in Canada is increasing. The report indicated that in 2009 only 31% of Canadians who were victims of crime ended up reporting that crime to the police. That number is down from 34% in 2004 and 40% in 1999. According to the report fewer Canadians are going to the authorities because they feel the police cannot do anything about it. The majority of these unreported crimes dealt with either property damage or theft.

These statistics are interesting for a few reasons. First of all it seems to directly contradict the statements many Canadian politicians are making with regard to the dropping crime rate in Canada. There is an argument that could be made that the crime rate is staying the same or growing, it is merely the amount of crimes that are actually reported that is decreasing. The second interesting point that this Statistics Canada report brings out is the fact that many Canadians feel that if they report a crime to the police nothing will happen. This is an alarming statistic that says a lot about the confidence Canadians have in the police force.

It can be inferred from this report that the crime rate in Canada is actually increasing and that Canadians do not feel that the police can do anything about it. There has never been a better time to invest in a security surveillance system for your business or home. The vast majority of crimes that go unreported in Canada are property damage and theft. With a security surveillance system you can deter potential criminals from engaging in theft or property damage by threatening to catch them in action. Even if criminals persist despite the presence of cameras the video recording will give the police a great head start toward catching those responsible. There is no greater threat to a criminal then having their image directly tie them to a time and place where a crime occurred. There has never been a better time to equip yourself with the security equipment you need to keep your family or business safe. For more information on security surveillance equipment visit the SafeTech website.

Audio version of this article: http://www.safetechalarms.com/podcast/Unreported-Crime-Rate-Rising.mp3
Also you can download this audio file and you can listen on your personal MP3 player.