Why Does Crime Rise During the Holiday Season?
The holiday season is filled with joy, time with friends and family, and a change in pace to your normal work schedule. However, there is a darker side to the holiday season that many businesses struggle with -- the rise in robberies and crime. Unfortunately, business owners, especially those selling physical goods, must keep a close eye on daily operations to ensure their storefront remains safe.
While business owners can install cameras, or promote practices within their team for safety, having the physical presence of qualified security guards is a huge deterrent for potential criminals. Here, our team of security experts at Chesapeake Security, LLC discusses why crime rises during the holiday season, and how you can keep your business safe during this time.
Understanding the Holiday Rise in Crime
Did you know that robbery and larceny crimes rise around 30% during the holiday season? Additionally, in recent years, it seems as if there is a wave of violence sweeping across the nation. These changes make for an uncertain holiday season for business owners, having to strategize new ways to keep their business safe during these unprecedented times. So, why is there a rise in crime during the holidays?
While there is no direct answer to this question, it is assumed that there is a mix of factors that contribute to this rise over the holiday season, with the first two being desperation and opportunity. Many individuals who have had a hard year financially may be subject to the additional pressure of supporting their loved ones during this time and ultimately may act out of desperation or fear in their course to steal. Furthermore, for personal security, additional opportunities arise for criminals as individuals tend to shop for or carry around expensive items during the holiday season.
In addition to these two factors, it’s important to understand that mental health commonly plays a role in criminal activity, and this can be exacerbated during the holiday season. If someone’s mental health strain is amplified by time with or without family and friends, the holiday season can feel overwhelming, causing them to act out and increasing their likelihood of committing a crime if they have already considered it before.
How to Keep Your Business Safe During the Holidays
There is no single solution to help keep your business safe during the holiday season, but there are a number of ways that you can work with employees and other local businesses to foster a sense of security and decrease the likelihood of burglary or crime to your business. At Chesapeake Security, we believe that the best deterrent of potential crime comes through qualified security guards, such as those on our team, who have a minimum of 20 years in the law enforcement industry and are extensively familiar with the community in which they serve.
Review Security Policies with Employees
While this may seem simple, this is one of the first things that you should do with your team during the holiday season. In the event that a crime occurs, you want your staff to feel confident in enacting the protocol set up by your team. This can include notifying authorities, using technology and security cameras to optimize recognition, and outsourcing security to a qualified partner, such as Chesapeake Security.
Ensure Equipment & Locks are Updated
Nothing is worse than having a burglary or crime occur at your business, only to realize that your alarm system wasn’t working properly, your cameras were outdated, or your door locks were easily broken. During the holiday season, we understand that you are busier than ever, which is why this is the perfect time to invest in your business. For companies that have a highly valued product, such as medical cannabis dispensaries, having an updated security system is crucial during this time.
Consider Outsourcing Security for Your Business
While technology has come a long way, we believe that there is no replacement for a physical presence at your business. Your team is running a mile a minute during the holiday season, and security should be the last thing you have to worry about. Outsourcing your security to a company such as Chesapeake Security not only provides the presence of qualified security professionals when you need it most but gives you the confidence that your security is being handled by those with extensive experience in law enforcement.
Why Chesapeake Security is the Perfect Choice for Your Business
When it comes to choosing a security company for your business, the options can often seem overwhelming. We’re here to tell you what sets us apart from other security companies in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Mostly serving Central Maryland, our team is composed of armed security guards, all of whom have had a minimum of over 20 years in the law enforcement industry. Additionally, we specialize in high-profile security services, including medical cannabis dispensaries, media and news personnel, and high-profile personal security detail. When you hire Chesapeake Security, you’re not just hiring a presence, you’re hiring a team that fosters a relationship with your business, and will do everything they can to protect it. If you’re looking to implement security for the holiday season, contact us today, or email us at info@chesapeakesecurityllc.com.
