Burglary, robbery, vandalism, shoplifting, employee theft, and fraud cost businesses billions of dollars each year. Crime can be particularly devastating to small businesses, which lose both customers and employees when crime and fear claim a neighborhood.
When small businesses are victims of crime, they often react by changing their hours of operation, raising their prices to cover their losses, relocating outside the community, or simply closing. Fear of crime isolates businesses, much like fear isolates individuals - and this isolation increases vulnerability to crime.
As a business owner, you are often told that the responsibility to prevent external and internal theft lies squarely with you. But what, exactly, can you do to create a safe, secure environment for your employees and your business?
First...When you start a Business Watch program in your area, block or shopping mall, you will take an important step. Neighboring businesses working with the local law enforcement agency can establish and support a network that works. This will make YOUR business community an attractive and safe place to work and shop.
Business Watch is hardly a new idea; in fact, it is based on one of the oldest and simplest concepts known to man - neighbor-helping-neighbor. And when neighboring merchants get together and cooperate with law enforcement, crime CAN be reduced.
The Maple Valley Police Department supports local business by providing educational training and materials to owners, managers and employees of area businesses. There are many crimes that a single business owner alone cannot prevent. Likewise, there are many crimes not preventable solely by the police. Together, we can make a difference. Business Watch and the Chamber of Commerce unite merchants and police in a common goal to combat crime in our community.
The Maple Valley Police Department provides the following brochures and will conduct on-site training classes for Maple Valley Crime Watch participants:
- Robbery Prevention and Survival
- Shoplift Prevention and Apprehension
- Burglary/ Physical Security
- Counterfeit Currency Detection
- Workplace Violence
- Check Fraud/Thumbprint Signature Program
To join the Maple Valley Business Watch contact:
Taryn Weatherford, Police Support Officer, at (425) 413-5158 or e-mail your business name and phone number to taryn.weatherford@kingcounty.gov.
BUSINESS WATCH NEWSLETTERS
2012
May 2012: Protect Your Business, Facebook, & Business Crime Statistics [PDF]
April 2012: 9-1-1 Education & Awareness & What to do if robbed or confronted with a gun [PDF]
March 2012: Being a Good Eye Witness & Commercial Business Statistics [PDF]
February 2012: Preventing Employee Theft & Commercial Business Statistics [PDF]
January 2012: New Year’s Resolutions & Commercial Burglary & Robbery Statistics [PDF]
2011
October 2011: The Best Defense Against Shoplifting & Tagging vs. Graffiti [PDF]
September 2011: Help Prevent Commercial Burglaries & Commercial Burglary Statistics [PDF]
August 2011: Robbery Alert & What To Do If Robbed [PDF]
July 2011: Police Support Officer Introduction & Safety Tips [PDF]
May 2011: Trespassing – Your Rights & Vandalism Prevention [PDF]
April 2011: Bad Checks & Counterfeit Bills; Drug Drop Off Box at MVPD [PDF]
March 2011: Your Role in Crime Prevention & Useful Contact Information [PDF]
February 2011: Lighting in Crime Prevention [PDF]
January 2011: Police Academy, Trail Safety Town Hall Meeting, & Vandalism Prevention [PDF]