Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses

Published on December 20, 2024

The following information is intended to serve the business community as a helpful reminder regarding safety tips to utilize during the holiday season when an increase in crime may occur. The Albany Police Department will also be working to provide increased patrols to serve our community and help protect businesses.

• Ensure security cameras are functioning and visible.
• Limit entry points to just one.
• Lock up valuable assets.
• Avoid routines and patterns. Change up what time you or your employees drop cash from the till, and what time money is taken to the bank.
• Businesses are more vulnerable if there is only one employee working. If possible, operate with at least two people for all shifts, especially opening and closing shifts.
• Don’t leave the cash register or money unattended.
• Maintain visibility throughout the store. Make sure you can see the front door and that there are no “hidden areas,” and your shelves are positioned so that someone cannot hide.
• Increase visibility from the outside looking in.
• When paid with cash, check bills to ensure they are not counterfeit. Visit www.federalreserve.gov for tips on how to determine if banknotes are genuine with features such as watermarks.

The Albany Police Department (APD) can schedule times to meet with businesses or residents to talk through safety tips. Call the APD non-emergency number at 1(510) 525-7300 or email albanypolice@albanyca.org to coordinate a time. Please don’t hesitate to call 911 to report a crime.