Restaurants have appearances to maintain, and that means they cannot take every security precaution available. However, not every protection needs to be obvious or an eyesore to be effective. With these tips, a restaurant can make imperceptible updates to its security. This protects from theft within and outside of the restaurant.
1. Apply window film
Many people don't think that it is possible to secure the glass in a restaurant. But with security window film, the glass boundaries on your restaurant can be extremely shatter- and scratch-resistant. This protects against the cost of repairing vandalized glass, as well as preventing smash and grab burglaries. The film is completely transparent and unnoticeable so as not to alarm or distract customers.
2. Use cameras properly
More important than simply having security cameras is using them to document what happens in and around your restaurant. With better documentation and monitoring, not only can proprietors better understand the threats around them, they can also find instances of internal theft. When this footage is handled properly in accordance with local laws, this can also be used to prosecute criminals. Issues with data storage can lead to video corruption, which harms the chance of the footage being used as evidence.
3. Invest in monitored alarms
Alarms are a great way to add more unseen protections to your security. Investing in monitored services guarantee that there will always be someone to respond to your alarm. The sound will potentially scare off criminals, but there will also be a trained security guard on call to respond. Coordinating for owners or employees to respond to these emergencies is unreliable. Police response varies on a case by case basis. But prevention, documentation and intervention are best handled as quickly as possible. Once the security has been overwhelmed, the building is vulnerable to further attack, so response must be swift.
4. Implement key control
Better control over access to a restaurant is very simple to implement. It comes down to giving trustworthy individuals access, and not giving everyone every level of access. This is called compartmentalization. Dividing up the staff into sections based on their needs allows the business to run as needed, while still providing boundaries for internal security. When you know who has access, it is much easier to find and solve any security concerns that may arise.
Locks are a foundational part of security. Having high-security locks is one of the easiest ways to protect against surreptitious and violent entry. With locks that use higher quality metal and better craftsmanship, there are fewer ways to bypass and circumvent this basic level of security. You can improve existing locks as well by using security pins, anti-drill pins and other devices, which a security professional can install. New lock installation should be handled by trained professionals to limit risks such as damaging the lock or door, or improper set-up.
6. Train employees well
Your employees are your first line of defense against burglary, theft and loss. In whatever form it takes, these threats are always lessened by highly trained employees. When workers know what is expected of them, and understand opening and closing procedures, the restaurant is safer. If you tell them what to look for, they can even alert managers to unseen security threats.
Everything from sensitive information to cash reserves can be stored in a safe. Using a safe effectively in your restaurant revolves around knowing how criminals attack. Anyone with knowledge of the safe poses a potential threat to it. With their knowledge, they can open it themselves, or share the information with others, knowingly or unknowingly. Without an internal threat such as this, the safe will be attacked by thieves who are simply trying to steal the entire safe. If the safe is properly bolted to the ground, they will pry or cut the door or body. Invest in a safe that takes these attacks into account.
Ultimately, when a restaurant is secure, the business is safer. With less outside theft, customers can trust that they are safe in your establishment. With less vandalism, the appearance will improve and downtime for the restaurant will decrease. Investing in better restaurant security means creating an environment for the company to thrive.
Ralph Goodman is a writer and the resident expert on locks and security at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a resource on keys, locks and safety. It offers tips, advice and how-to’s for consumers, locksmiths and security professionals.