Landscaping and architectural designs

• Ensure shrubs and trees don't create blind spots or hiding places.
• Trim bushes and hedges to a maximum height of three feet.
• Use walkways and landscaping to direct visitors to the proper entrance and away from private areas.
• Sidewalks, parking lots, doorways and all areas of the property should be well lit.
• Remove objects that may provide informal seating for loiterers.
• Recessed doorways can provide cover for criminal behaviour or loitering. Change these to be flush with the walls, or install gates.
• Prevent easy access to the roof or fire escape from the ground.

Controlling access to your business

• Locate your cash register at the front of the store, near the door, where itʼs visible from
  outside.
• Ensure public paths are clearly marked.
• Use signs to direct customers to parking and business entrances.
• Only provide rear access to your business from rear parking lots.

Light up at night

• Light up all entrances, including alleys, with vandal-proof fixtures.
• Leave some lights on inside your premises; white metal abide lights should be used.

Natural surveillance

• Maintain clear visibility from the store to the street and sidewalk or parking areas.
• Window signs should cover no more than 15 per cent of windows. Keep shelves and displays five feet high or less, especially in front of windows, for visibility.
• Keep weeds, shrubbery and debris away from your doors and windows. Don't provide thieves with places to hide, or climbing platforms
• Monitor all entrances through visual or electronic surveillance.

Commercial storefronts

• Use cash drop safes during lower traffic hours.
• Avoid having a single employee make after-hours bank deposits.
• Install and monitor video cameras, but hide VCRs (supply a decoy).
• Provide employees with safety training.
• Securely lock rear entrances.
• Use secure doors and frames.
• Put 180 degree door viewers in rear security doors.

Management tips

• Your business hours should be the same as those of neighbouring businesses.
• Night time employees should have access to safe, visible parking located close to the entrance.
• Put a cash limit, such as $50, in place. Train employees to check regularly for cash over the limit and to place it in a drop safe that they can't open. Then post a sign that the maximum amount of cash in register is $50. 
• If it isn't possible to have a safe, don't place large bills under the cash register – find a safe
  alternate hiding place.
• Try to have two staff on hand at opening and closing times as these are attractive times for robbers.
• Train employees to be alert for suspicious persons and call the RCMP or store security if they notice suspicious activity. Parked cars and telephone booths are common outdoor observation spots.
• Watch for customers who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while shopping or browsing a magazine, or who seem nervous or rushed.
• Check all doors and windows at closing time.
• Keep side or back doors locked at all times and have employees use the main entrance.
• Work with other businesses in the area to promote shopper and business safety and address special security issues.

Other security options

• Install a monitored alarm system and post a conspicuous notice that you have one.
• Install video cameras and post signs advising that the area is under video surveillance.
• Place height markers at the main entrance so employees can use them to gauge the height of a robber as he/she leaves your business. Place strips of differently coloured tape at the 5 feet, 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet heights.

Read more details in our Protecting Your Business Brochure (pdf).