Introduction to Private Security by John S Dempsey - Essay Example

According to the author, the issue of security today has become an important concern for business owners, therefore, the need for them to secure their businesses.
In the United States of America, the most popular professional body with members who are interested in retail security is the “Association of Convenience and Petroleum Retailing” (NACS). This body offers a platform for employers, employees, and other interested parties to ensure the security of their work environment through intensive knowledge on security, which they are offered. Business owners and employees have a variety of security measures to choose from. However, in the United States, NACS recommends investment in security measures, which are most likely to alleviate crime and insecurity in the business premises. The main control methods recommended include cash control, visibility in stores, the correct positioning of cash registers in stores, training of employees, especially on how to deter robbery, balanced lighting in stores, alarms, electronic video surveillance, and minimal escape routes. These are some of the ways to ensure security in the business.
The author addresses the business security of a variety of premises, including both public and private facilities. Shopping centers and malls in the United States are prone to robbery and other criminal activity, as many people tend to loiter there. The major security measures employed include contract guards, public policy, as well as electronic surveillance and alarms. Of importance in the malls are the codes of conduct, which shoppers have to adhere to, as this help maintain order and increase the malls’ security.
Banks are a target of robbers, therefore, needs tight security. These mainly employ security measures, which ensure risk assessment and analysis of robbery, and cash control methods. Training of bank employees is also essential, as well as other electronic and digital surveillance methods. In addition, electronic devices, which can detect metal and explosives, are highly used in banks for security measure.
Private and public utility facilities present major security concerns, which include sabotage, terrorism activities, theft, and damage of private and public property, among others. Apart from the clients, these utility facilities, which include telephone, gas, water, oil, electricity, and nuclear pose a security threat to the employees. In such industries, therefore, employee training is the most recommended security method. Different bodies in the United States, including the International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS), among others, offer employee training for such industries.
Entertainment spots including casinos, amusement parks, beaches, and movie theatres, also need strict security measures, as these are prone to rowdy revellers. This case applies to sports facilities, which also pose a threat to security through the rowdy fans. In the United States today, professionals are looking for better ways of preventing violent and patron behaviors in sports and entertainment avenues. Most of such areas in the United States employ public police and security guards to ensure security. This chapter, therefore, addresses security concerns of both private and public spaces and the need for better security measures in future.
Chapter 7
In chapter 7, Dempsey primarily discusses the retail shrinkage problem. It is argued that the retail shrinkage problem is one of the serious issues affecting modern businesses despite the fact that technology has changed the way business is conducted. According to the author, retail shrinkage accounts for approximately $38 billion in losses every year. Retail shrinkage in this case implies the difference between the recorded inventories at the end of the year as compared to what had been recorded at the beginning of the year. Such losses are often attributed to factors such as theft, shoplifting, auditing issues, vendor fraud, as well as administrative errors. As expected, there is a high correlation between the complexity of the stores or business entity with retail shrinkage. It is worth noting that retail shrinkage poses a serious profit threat to businesses that have low-profit margins such as grocery stores. Whereas internal theft accounts for the highest amount of retail shrinkage, external theft such as bank robbery also accounts for appreciable retail shrinkage.
Many businesses have adopted a combination of various measures in their efforts to reduce retail shrinkage. The author highlights crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), loss prevention technologies, audits, benefit denial systems, among others as some of the most viable measures. For instance, most retail stores, warehouses, and workshops have an architectural layout purposely designed to make it possible to control retail shrinkage. In addition, the invention of auditing technologies has made it possible for businesses to carry out audits in real-time using auditing software. This way, it is possible to tell when retail shrinkage is happening and therefore be in a position to employ necessary measures in time. The use of video technology including 24-hour CCTV surveillance systems has come in handy in addressing the problem at hand.
With the overwhelming improvement in technology, more businesses are using computerized processing systems as a replacement for human labor. In conjunction with the computerized systems are various control subsystems such as electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification devices. The use of such systems has enabled control of stock movement thereby reducing retail shrinkage significantly. However, the use of such systems has lately been augmented with the use of human resource. For instance, many businesses have employed loss prevention specialists, loss prevention specialists’ agents, store detectives, internal and external auditors. The bottom line is that the synergistic use of these methods can really go a long way in reducing retail shrinkage significantly.