There are lots of ways to make your business less vulnerable to intrusion: securing doors and windows, installing an alarm system, keeping landscaping trimmed back, adding motion detectors, organizing a neighborhood watch and setting up adequate lighting both inside and outside.

There is one way, however, that can help catch a thief after he has burglarized a business: high quality security cameras.

Even the best defenses fail occasionally. Doors get kicked in, alarm systems may malfunction and in spite of the best lighting and observant neighbors, intruders sometimes make it into businesses and steal from them.

It is at these times that you need a backup system: a way of identifying the intruder after the fact. Security cameras can help with this.

But it is important to realize not all security cameras are created equal. Even if you have a security camera installed and running during an intrusion, if the resolution is so low that the intruder cannot be identified, it will not help you solve the crime.

However, a high quality, high resolution camera can record details of the burglars face and clothing so that it may aid authorities in identifying and arresting the thief.

This is what happened in a robbery case in Chicago¹. According to this report, a man accused of robbing salons was caught on camera and later identified based on his clothing. Click here for the article and to see an image of the man’s sweatshirt – which is what he was wearing when arrested.

Do you have surveillance cameras installed in your business? If you do, do they take clear images – clear enough to be used to identify intruders should you be the victim of a break in?

Best Security Products can help you reduce theft at your place of business. Give us a call or email us at 1-800–988–2378 |sales@bestsecurityproducts.com. We specialize in Honeywell business security in Escondio.

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After a Kansas City mother left for work, an intruder attempted to break into her house where her two daughters, ages 12 and 14 were home alone.¹

The full story is reported here.

According to the report, the burglar began by beating on the doors and then attempted to enter through a bedroom window. The mother told the terrified girls to call the police, but their screams scared the intruder off before the police arrived.

This frightening situation could happen to anyone. What can you do to protect yourself? One of the smartest ways is to install a home security system. If a burglar suspects there is an alarm system installed in a home, he is much less likely to attempt a break in in the first place. You can let a burglar know you have an alarm system by placing yard signs in both the front and back yards.

If an alarm system in installed in the home, a siren could have been triggered that would have alerted not only the neighbors that a burglary was taking place, but it would have also been a strong warning to the burglar himself.

Further, the monitoring company would have gotten the alert and could have contacted the police.

Setting up outdoor security cameras is another deterrent. Burglars do not like the idea of being on camera and may leave if they think they are being recorded. Just make sure the cameras are in plain sight.

Finally, have a plan. No matter how well you think you have protected yourself against intruders, it can happen to anyone. If you do not have a plan, it will be hard to decide what to do in a moment of panic. Talk through with your family what would be the best course of action in such a situation and practice the drills frequently.

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When it comes to burglary, some of the most vulnerable aspects of your business are the windows on your building.

Burglars can break through the class and then either climb through or simply reach around and unlock the door and let themselves in that way.

Even though the sound of breaking glass may be loud enough to alert those nearby that a burglary is in progress, it is not a good idea to depend on this and hope that neighbors or passers-by alert the authorities. They may not even hear the sound and if they do, there is no guarantee they will be motivated to get involved and call the police.

A good solution for taking your business security into your own hands is to use Honeywell’s FlexGuard Glassbreak Detectors.

These intelligent detectors are able to recognize the sound of breaking glass with a minimum of false alarms. If an intrusion occurs, the FlexGuard Glassbreak Detector will trigger your alarm system.

Here are a few features from Honeywell’s specifications. Read more here.

Dual Technology Flex-Audio Principle

Positively detects and confirms breaking glass by analyzing both "flex" (impact) and "audio" (shattering) frequencies. For an alarm to occur the flex signal must be followed by an audio signal within a prescribed time frame.

Signal Verification

Both flex and audio signals must register valid amplitude, duration and frequency for an alarm to occur.

Signal Filtering

Thorough filtering and processing of all signals provides greater immunity to false alarms.

Broad Range

Detects glass breakage from distances up to 30' (9 m). The FlexGuard FG-730 detector sets the industry standard in glassbreak detectors.

Dual Flex/Audio Technology

Provides excellent catch performance while virtually eliminating false alarms.

Indicator LEDs

LED alarm indicator for testing flex and audio technologies.

Circuit Protection

Prevents shorts, overloads and reverse-polarity connections from causing damage.

Alarm Memory

Alarm LED can be set to latch upon alarm; helps identify which unit alarmed in multiple detector applications.

Easy Installation and Set-Up

Mount within 9m (30') of the glass to be protected. (Can be adjusted to suit characteristics of each location.)