| Security experts and industry analysts this week | | | | monitoring employee transactions on cash |
| have speculated that the bad economy could lead | | | | registers can be a wise investment in these |
| to an increase in shoplifting in retail locations and | | | | unsettling times. The testing center demonstrated |
| home thefts. The combination of distressing | | | | the effectiveness of these devices, which are |
| economic news and the upcoming holiday season | | | | extremely reliable in detecting shoplifting and |
| makes retailers and homeowners more vulnerable | | | | employee theft. It's a well-known fact that if |
| to theft and robbery. | | | | people know that a retailer is protected by |
| Security companies are responding to this | | | | anti-theft devices and employee monitoring |
| information by ramping up their efforts to protect | | | | systems, people will think twice before they |
| homes and retailers from theft and robbery. One | | | | decide to shoplift or steal from the cash register. |
| security company unveiled an anti-theft and | | | | The same loss prevention strategies that are |
| shoplifting testing center where they simulate the | | | | being applied to retail outlets are also |
| retail environment, right down to the product | | | | recommended for homeowners. While the |
| displays. The press was allowed to view the | | | | security systems for the home and retailing |
| testing center to see how the anti-theft devices | | | | business are different in design, they are both |
| worked and how these security systems can | | | | necessary during times of economic turmoil. Home |
| prevent theft. | | | | security systems are more important than ever |
| The University of Florida recently released a | | | | as people get more desperate and burglars |
| study which concluded that retail businesses lost | | | | become more willing to take risks if they think |
| an estimated $30 billion from theft last year. | | | | they can make a big score. Homeowners who |
| Shoplifting contributed to $12 billion of that | | | | work hard to keep a roof over their head should |
| estimate, with another $15 billion being attributed | | | | protect what's inside the home. Valuables such as |
| to employee theft. With the economy on the | | | | cash, jewelry and electronic appliances like |
| downswing, people are becoming more desperate | | | | computers and televisions are high on criminal's |
| and there is growing speculation that these | | | | radar. A home security system can keep these |
| numbers could rise this year, particularly during the | | | | items safe and secure and off the black market. |
| busy holiday shopping season. | | | | A home security system is also advisable due to |
| Businesses can and should take advantage of | | | | the recent rise in brazen home invasions. This is |
| anti-theft devices such as tagging merchandise | | | | not merely prowling or sneaking into a home, but |
| and installing cameras and investing in security | | | | breaking down the doors and terrorizing the |
| systems to insure maximum loss prevention. | | | | family inside. A home security system that is |
| Theft and robbery affects a retailer's bottom line, | | | | monitored can summon help immediately to |
| and with the economy in shambles and retailers | | | | prevent theft and injury to the homeowner and |
| already scrambling to have a decent fourth | | | | their families. Industry analysts are clearly |
| quarter, losses like the ones estimated last year | | | | suggesting that both retailers and homeowners |
| could be potentially devastating. Analysts say that | | | | gird themselves for the possible uptick in theft |
| installing shoplifting prevention devices and | | | | due to unstable economic conditions. |