The holiday season is a time for goodwill and cheer, but criminals still found ways to target businesses during the holiday break. How can proactive security help protect assets on statutory holidays, and after-hours when businesses are closed?
Crime tends to increase on statutory holidays.
The holiday season has come and gone for another year, and even though it’s a time when people are in the giving spirit to others and their communities, there are still incidences of crime over this time. There is typically a rise in thefts and vandalism during the holiday break and on statutory holidays, as thieves find it to be an opportune time as most business operations wind down. With many businesses closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, and other businesses shut down completely for the holiday break, thieves have a wider window of opportunity to strike.
Criminals struck during the holiday break.
On December 27th, nearly $15,000 worth of products and food supplies were stolen from a warehouse in Saint-Lambert, Quebec. These items were community donations, meant for those in need, and were stolen overnight when there was no staff or volunteers present. Thankfully the community came together once again to raise more money and replace the stolen items – but the theft was still a huge blow to the charity organization and their efforts to help those in need. (1)
In Vancouver, B.C., a man was arrested on Christmas Day after being found with a rack of 34 winter coats stolen from a commercial property, worth an estimated $6,100. The coats were stolen from a shopping mall location on Christmas Day, when the business and mall were closed for the holidays. Transit Police caught the man, completely by chance, after being seen boarding a train. If they hadn’t been present at the time, who knows how far he could have gotten with the stolen merchandise. (2)
In Windsor, ON, Police dealt with a rash of crime over the holidays, including a rise in shoplifting and break and enters. For instance, one man was arrested and charged with breaking and entering at three separate businesses in the Lakeshore area when they were closed for the holiday break. The increase in crime preceding and over the holiday break put Police on high alert as criminals became even more brazen in their attempts to steal, without regard for the businesses they were targeting. (3)
These brazen thefts only prove how vulnerable businesses are when closed for the holidays. A proactive security solution is needed to protect these properties and their assets.
How do we help prevent theft and vandalism on statutory holidays and beyond?
Artificial Intelligence increases accuracy and detections
Artificial intelligence has changed the face of proactive security. AI allows our Monitoring team to effectively detect and deter trespassers and would-be criminals before they reach a property. What makes AI so effective is its ability to differentiate human movement from other movement on-site – increasing accuracy and our team’s ability to detect criminals before they have a chance to strike. As time goes on, our proprietary AI platform continues to learn and become even more effective at helping deter crime.
Video Security Units cover all the angles
Our Video Security Units provide next generation site security; installed in key areas around your property to ensure all angles are covered. They are equipped with two high-resolution stationary cameras to establish perimeter protection and situational awareness, and a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera to zoom in on important details in high quality. All of our Video Security Units leverage the power of our proprietary cellular LTE+ platform, which operates free of wired Internet network connections. All data and images are transmitted securely back to our UL Certified Monitoring facility to help ensure your property is protected, physically & digitally.
Live Remote Video Monitoring proactively deters crime
Our primary mission is to deter crime before it happens. Our Live Remote Video Monitoring team are experts in proactive security, and they keep watch over properties during off hours, weekends, and statutory holidays. If they detect an individual on-site, they will issue proactive deterrents to warn them the site is off limits – including loud and authoritative voice commands and bright LED strobe lights to ensure the message is received loud and clear. If they aren’t deterred, our team will contact Police to attend the scene, when required.
syncroDetect adds another layer of protection
Commercial properties contain many areas that are vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Our wireless intrusion alarm system, syncroDetect, is an additional system that can protect these sensitive areas that works in synchronicity with our Video Security Units and Live Video Monitoring service. Wireless door and window sensors activate alarms if they are breached, and indoor motion detection sensors detect movement and will alert our Monitoring team if someone is moving throughout the property.
syncroReports is a full security suite for our clients
Property and asset protection is a collaborative partnership between our security professionals & our clients. Our proprietary reporting platform, syncroReports provides full access and transparency for your property, providing you will powerful information, at your fingertips. With syncroReports, you can watch live video feeds, control PTZ cameras, view log reports, review access to your property with our license plate database, and more. This software allows you to stay fully updated with your site security, as we work to deter criminals from taking advantage.
Criminals will always find new ways to exploit businesses when they are closed for the holidays. By employing proactive security, you can ensure your property stays protected and safe after hours, on weekends, holidays, and beyond.
Resources:
- “After theft, community raises even more money for the South Shore charity”, Cassandra Yanez-Leyton, CBC News, January 5, 2024
- “Alleged jacket thief arrested in Vancouver with rack of 34 winter coats on SkyTrain; transit police”, The Canadian Press, December 28, 2023
- “Several facing charges after retail thefts throughout the holidays”, Maureen Revait, WindsorNewsToday.ca, January 5, 2024