How to Protect Your Business in Times of Looting and Riots
COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on businesses around the country, with many having to resort to drastic measures to stay afloat in a sea of tough times. Things have moved from bad to worse in recent weeks, with waves of protests across the US bringing new worries for businesses. Owners have had to work in fear of rioters and looters, and countless have incurred costly losses in terms of stolen merchandise and property damage.
We see it on the news almost every day now, shops getting broken into, and criminals taking advantage of the chaos to steal thousands of dollars. No one is safe with even national chains like Nike and Target on the list of causalities of a storm of violence that has swept across Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other big cities like wildfire.
What looting and riots mean for your business
Big or small, every size and kind of business is at risk as things stand. These rioters have no regard for human life or property and will take out their misplaced anger on mom-and-pop shops and small businesses built on years of hard work. Many establishments have had to deal with crowds of furious protestors looking to wreak havoc and make their point by burning dumpsters and smashing windows. Companies have something new to worry about to add to the ongoing devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, and owners have had to take matters into their own hands to protect their life’s work. Many spend their nights at their place of business, doubling up as guards and spending weeks away from their families.
You never know if your business will be the next victim of the rioting and looting rummaging through the country, so the best thing is to prepared just in case. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Typically, though, establishments around the epicenter of the chaos tend to be most affected, and these businesses need to be on high alert. It is quite unpredictable to tell where the next riots might crop up with the country in a volatile state, so it doesn’t hurt to take measures to safeguard your business.
If you’re in search of answers on how to do that, we have a few ideas that’ll help ensure your livelihood doesn’t wind up among the statistics. Without further ado, here’s how to stay a step ahead and keep your investments safe during riots:
Identify and sort out chinks in the armor
You’ll need to conduct a thorough assessment of your business to determine particularly vulnerable areas. A certain alleyway may be a weakness in terms of break-ins, and you may need to look to an expert security guard company to man such weak links, making them harder to exploit. Evaluate the security measures you already have up and running, and figure out if you’ll need to do more in light of the current state of things.
Store money and valuables in a different location
As much as possible, encourage and adopt cashless means of payment and avoid having on-hand money. Expensive merchandise and equipment should also be stored away from the premises to minimize losses in the event of a break-in. Putting up signs like CCTV and prosecution warnings can also go someway in scaring off those with ill intentions. Leveraging the repercussions of their actions is a good tactic to inspire conscience to step on the brakes.
Call in expert reinforcement
Handling looters and rioters call for a special skill set that many owners do not possess. Engaging protesters can spell legal trouble for your business, not to mention you’ll be putting yourself in harm’s way. You need to know how to contain the situation so that you don’t cause injuries and add fuel to the fire.
Professionally trained security guards are the answer. With vast experience and crowd-control training, they know how to deescalate tensions and keep angry gatherings at bay. You won’t have to worry about lawsuits or put your body on the line.
Stay in touch with local authorities
The local authorities may have resources to aid your business during these tough times. Keep in touch with FEMA, the police, and other emergency services so that you’re in the know of emergency response protocols in your area. In some states, affected businesses are getting compensation for damages, among other cushions.
Do you have an establishment that needs protection in the heat of riots and looting? Safeguard that business you poured your soul into by reaching out to a professional security guard company with experience. Whether you need protection on a short- or long-term basis, we have what you need to ensure your business runs smoothly. Retrieve your peace of mind with top-notch security guards who’ll see to it that no harm comes to your employees, valuables, and business in general.
