NCJ Number
46888
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER IN HELPING BUSINESSES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST CRIME IS PORTRAYED IN THIS FILM, ALONG WITH SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN EVALUATING A BUILDING'S SECURITY.
Abstract
THE FILM STRESSES CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SURVEYING AND ASSESSING BUSINESS FACILITIES AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO OWNERS AND OPERATORS REGARDING ADDITIONAL MEASURES THEY CAN TAKE TO ENHANCE THEIR BUILDINGS' SECURITY. TYPICAL INTERVIEWS BETWEEN CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS AND BUSINESS PERSONS ARE PORTRAYED, SHOWING THE COMMON RESISTANCE TO NEW SECURITY IDEAS. MANY BUSINESS PERSONS ARE NOT AMENABLE TO IMPROVING THEIR PROPERTY'S SECURITY, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE BEEN ROBBED A NUMBER OF TIMES, BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND MONEY INVOLVED. THE FILM SUGGESTS STRATEGIES FOR CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS REGARDING THE BEST TIME TO MAKE CONTACT AND THE BEST WAY TO GAIN COOPERATION. ONCE THE PROPRIETOR HAS AGREED TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS, THE OFFICER SHOULD MAKE A SURVEY OF THE PREMISES TO DETERMINE ITS SPECIFIC SECURITY NEEDS. THE FILM SHOWS A NUMBER OF FACILITIES AND POINTS OUT SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR WHICH A CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER SHOULD LOOK. HE SHOULD ANALYZE THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING -LOCKS, POTENTIAL CAMOUFLAGE FOR A BURGLAR, LIGHTING -AND CONSIDER FROM A CRIMINAL'S POINT OF VIEW WHAT THERE IS TO STEAL AND HOW ONE WOULD GAIN ENTRY. HE SHOULD POINT OUT TO THE PROPRIETOR ANY WEAKNESSES IN THE BUILDING'S SECURITY AND SUGGEST ADDITIONAL MEASURES (WHICH SHOULD BE TAILORED TO THE VALUE OF THE ITEMS TO BE PROTECTED). HE SHOULD STRESS TO THE OWNER THE IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY OF THE MERCHANDISE (I.E., NO BLIND AREAS THAT COULD HIDE A THEFT) AS WELL AS THOROUGH AND FREQUENT INVENTORY.