NCJ Number
141828
Journal
Security Management Volume: 37 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 30-33
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., loss prevention program, based on the value-added approach presented in the Atkinson Model, has increased profits, improved service, and substantially decreased crime incidents.
Abstract
Hardee's introduced its first formal loss prevention program in July 1990 with countermeasures ranging from stricter cash controls to disposable bank bags, witnessed money counts, and manager accountability. Violence prevention and identification of repeat offenders are priority areas for loss prevention staff development. Staff use software featuring mapping graphics, video capture, and scanning to identify suspects, areas of operation, and related crime scenes for restaurants and police agencies across the country. Automated loss reporting has been crucial to loss tracking, intervention, and recovery of assets. Background checks are conducted on employees with access to missing cash while a database tracks all previous deposit or sale irregularities. The loss prevention department not only reduces loss but has reduced cost by replacing contract security workers, servicing a Hardee's sister company, and charging operational units for each criminal background check it conducts. Off-duty policemen have been replaced by ballistic resistance materials, smart safes, closed circuit television, and alarm upgrades. Unarmed, mobile, patrol officers equipped with communications equipment, bulletproof clothing, and camcorders operate at a lower cost than stationary security forces. In short, automated loss reporting through a low-cost infrastructure has ensured the success of the profit center of the loss prevention department. 7 notes