NCJ Number
43506
Date Published
1977
Length
128 pages
Annotation
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES, INTERNAL SECURITY, AND EXTERNAL SECURITY MEASURES TO CUT THE $9.2 BILLION ANNUAL CRIME LOSS IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES ARE DISCUSSED; EMPLOYEE THEFT IS THE GREATEST SOURCE OF LOSS.
Abstract
LACK OF STATISTICAL DATA MASKS THE TRUE EXTENT OF CRIME IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES; FIGURES COLLECTED BY THE BUREAU OF DOMESTIC COMMERCE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SUGGEST LOSSES ARE ALMOST $10 BILLION ANNUALLY. SINCE EMPLOYEE THEFT IS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR, SECURITY SHOULD BEGIN WITH CAREFUL HIRING AND TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEE MONITORING, AND INVENTORY CONTROL. INVENTORIES MUST BE ESPECIALLY GUARDED IN FOOD AND LODGING SERVICES AND HOSPITALS. THE GREATEST REPORTED LOSS OCCURS IN GROUND CARGO TRANSPORTATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TRUCKING FIRMS ADOPT THE SAME TIGHT SECURITY FOUND IN AIR CARGO FACILITIES, WHICH HAVE BENEFITED GREATLY FROM ANTIHIJACKING MEASURES. SCHOOLS REPORT HIGH LOSS, A RESULT OF VALUABLE EQUIPMENT STORED IN A LAX-SECURITY SITUATION AND STUDENT VANDALISM. FINANCIAL CRIMES, ESPECIALLY CREDIT CARD AND CHECK FRAUDS, ARE THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF LOSS FOR FINANACIAL INSTITUTIONS, INSURANCE FIRMS, AND TICKET AND RESERVATION SERVICES. TIGHT INTERNAL AUDITING CONTROLS ARE RECOMMENDED, AND CUSTOMER SECURITY METHODS LISTED. THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF COMPUTER CRIME ARE DISCUSSED. AT THE HEART OF ANY LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM IS GOOD EMPLOYEE SECURITY, CAREFULLY PLANNED EXTERNAL SECURITY MEASURES, AND AN AWARENESS OF THE COST OF CRIME IN THE SECURITY SECTOR.