In September, Marquis Wine Cellar in Vancouver had thieves use blow torches to break in and steal an e-bike. And that is just one of many stories being shared by Vancouver business owners. 

Business owners are seeing more crime, vandalism and break and enters. In fact, the West End Community police say that from April to September of 2021 there has been a 50% increase in crimes. From 2020 to 2021 there is expected to be a 43% increase in violent shoplifting.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on repairs by downtown business owners in just a couple of months and, according to the Vancouver Police, there were over 1,500 assaults in the last year. 

And it isn’t just in the city. Just last month, $60,000 worth of lawn mowers were stolen from a store in Solomon Arms. In Kelowna, over $30,000 of merchandise was stolen from multiple businesses. 

It’s no wonder that business owners across British Columbia are looking to their leaders for solutions …

But while we wait for municipal leaders to step up and help find a solution to crime, there are steps that you, as a business owner in BC (or anywhere else in Western Canada), can take to prevent crime and protect your business. 

1. Remove valuable products and displays from store windows. This will help reduce smash and grabs.
    
2. Remove cash from your till and leave it open. Place the cash drawer tray on the counter in clear view. This is a signal that there is no money in the till. 
   
   
3. Keep signage off your windows to increase visibility from the street. This will make your business less attractive to thieves since anybody passing by could see them. 
   
   
4. Post security logos on your doors and windows that let would-be thieves know that your premise is monitored. Opt for a security company with a reputation for apprehensions that thieves will want to avoid. (With over 175,000 arrests, Sonitrol is a brand that police trust and criminals steer clear of). 
   
   
5. Remove material from outside of your business that could be used to gain entry. This can include bricks, stones and construction materials. 
   
   
6. Install latch guards on doors to stop criminals from prying the door open. 
   
   
7. Keep lighting on inside the store so that it is harder for criminals to sneak around without being seen. 
   
   
8. Ensure exterior lights are in good working order. 
   
   
9. Most importantly, invest in a high-quality surveillance system to protect your business from crime and increase rates of apprehension. Make sure it is a verified security alarm!
   
   

Why Sonitrol? 

Our unique SonaVision verified video solution, monitors the interior of businesses and is activated by highly sensitive motion and heat controls to detect thieves and vandals.

If a break-in does occur, the Sonitrol Security System doesn't just record break-ins and thefts, our 24/7 professional monitoring team also immediately alerts the police! We then provide live updates to the authorities as they head to the scene. This helps increase apprehensions and reduces damage and losses. 

You can also access footage any time of the day to monitor shipments, watch day-to-day operations or just check in to ensure your business is safe. 

Here are just a few other reasons to choose Sonitrol:

1. Industry expertise – We understand demanding schedules, and getting the job done on your schedule, not ours. You can feel confident that we will get the job done right, on time, and on budget. 
   
   
2. Innovative technology – Sonitrol’s state-of-the-art detection technology is superior to anything on the market today. Complemented with video, audio, fire protection, and managed access control, Sonitrol can offer a full suite of security protection.
   
   
3. Proven results – No one can match Sonitrol’s results; the numbers speak for themselves. Criminals apprehended using Sonitrol technology: 175,000 and climbing!
   
   
4. Our unmatched guarantee - We provide our customers with leading edge technology and quality service backed by our unique Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!

 For more information on protecting your business, contact us today for a free security audit.