Crime School

Shopping Center Security Plan to Prevent Teen Crowds and Fights How to anticipate when large crowds might descend on a mall? How to develop a security plan for teen crowd control? How to plan for an emergency response to social disorder? Interview with Shopping Centers Today magazine. Contributing Editor Steve McLinden. Podcast Time Stamps: [00:45] -- Shopping Center Security - Topic introduction crowd control. [01:30] -- Thousands of youths descend on malls and cause violence. [02:40] -- Interview with Shopping Centers Today Magazine Steve McLinden. [05:15] -- How can shopping center security prevent crowd violence? [06:00] -- What factors affect shopping center security and crowd violence? [09:45] -- Is social media a cause of sudden teen crowds and mob violence? [12:20] -- Mall managers must focus on anti-loitering rule enforcement. [17:00] -- Shopping Center Security training on loitering behavior response. [20:00] -- Mall managers must include a security and police response plan. [21:0

Mass shootings in America escalated between 2000-2013 FBI study reports 160 incidents, 486 killed, 557 wounded. Has our changing culture created these mass shootings? What can be done to restore our values and attitudes? Our guest is violence threat assessment expert James S. Cawood. Podcast Time Stamps: [03:55] – Mass shootings: mental health, gun control, or immigration. [05:00] – Introduction of threat assessment expert Jim Cawood. [08:20] - Discussion about FBI 2000-2013 active shooter study. [11:00] - Mass shootings don’t seem connected to economic downturn. [11:45] – Mass shootings connected to perception, narcissism, depression. [13:00] - Changing psycho-social forces will affect rate of future incidents. [16:00] - Until San Bernardino majority of mass shootings were not jihad. [06:02] - Majority of mass shootings are committed by lone male shooter. [18:30] – Will future mass shootings involve woman or be gender neutral? [18:40] – Narcissism epidemic causes men to be wounded and reacti

Active shooter survival favors those prepared to react.  Early awareness of an active shooter increases the margin of safety. Quick threat assessment increases your reaction time to escape. Moving away from the threat reduces your risk of harm. Develop an active shooter survival mindset and security plan. Our guest is violence assessment expert James S. Cawood. He is President of Factor One and can be contacted by email. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:15] – Active shooter survival scenario. [02:00] -- What can you do to avoid being a victim. [02:25] – Basic choices are to run, hide or fight. [03:10] – Introduction of violence assessment expert James S. Cawood. [05:10] -- Beginning of active shooter survival discussion. [05:25] – Active shooter mass murder at San Bernardino, California. [05:45] – FBI study on mass murder in United States – 2000-2013. [07:00] -- Active dynamic violence prevention should be our focus. [11:00]– Need for situational awareness training. [11:30] – What does a gunshot

Gas station security risk from car burglars called sliders. Sliders prey on women and unlocked vehicles at gas stations. Sliders want to snatch purses, wallets, cell phones, laptops. Gas station security flaw creates this opportunity for thieves. Family security plan removes this opportunity from sliders. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:30] -- Gas station security precautions begin when you exit your vehicle. [02:15] -- Sliders strike suddenly and are a challenge to gas station security. [03:05] -- View the surveillance video of sliders in action in Houston. [03:50] -- Sliders will drive off in your car if keys are left in the ignition. [04:20] -- Observe customer behavior next time you buy fuel. [05:15] -- Gas Station security - Deters and prevents slider methodology. [06:00] -- Is it a pain to keep doors and windows closed and locked. [06:30] -- Compare to pain of losing your purse, wallet, laptop, cell phone. [07:25] -- My solution to sliders is alertness and a car locking routine. [08:00] -- Discu

Nightclub security bouncer job description and security duties. What are the duties of nightclub security and bouncers? Are nightclub security personnel adequately trained? How are club policies and procedures set and enforced? Who determines what level of force is used by bouncers? Yale University staff writer Declan Kunkel interviews Chris McGoey. Yale University will publish this interview in The Politic Newspaper. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:20] – Introduction of Yale University student Declan Kunkel. [01:30] – Nightclub security job description including bouncers. [01:55] – What are the typical doorman duties in a nightclub? [04:28] – What are the typical access control duties in a nightclub. [04:59] - What are typical duties of a nightclub bouncer. [06:00] - Are there any nightclub security training standards? [07:30] - How do nightclub bouncers know when to intervene? [08:40] - Best bouncers are not always large in stature or male. [09:30] - Security and bouncers need clearly defined

Parking lot security decisions about being safe are initially our responsibility. Where, when, and how we choose to park our vehicle determines what our parking lot security crime risk will be. Parking lot security is using your vehicle as a personal safe room. Parking lot security is highest while safe inside your locked car. Parking lot security is most critical while walking outside of a car. Parking lot security is affected most by young male predators. Parking lot security is detecting predators looking for a victim. Parking lot security is being alert to the conditions and risk. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:00] – Customer confrontation questions about parking lot security. [01:40] – Least amount of personal security and control is in a parking lot. [03:00] – Compare the amount of personal security and control to your home. [03:50] – Decisions about our family safety are initially your responsibility. [05:00] – Locking your car doors and windows is the first step. [05:30] – A locked vehi

Travel security plan will make you safer while abroad. Travel security plan anticipates and reduces the risk of loss or harm. Travel security plan is an emergency document retrieval system. Travel security plan is home and vehicle protection while abroad. Travel security plan is packing smart for international travel. Travel security plan is control over luggage and documents. Travel security plan is health management for common ailments. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:30] – International travel requires research and planning. [02:00] – American travel company provides US point of contact. [02:50] – Select an established itinerary in risky locations. [03:40] – United States State Department travel warnings. [04:25] – Pre-pay to reduce need to carry excess cash. [04:58] – Emergency document retrieval plan. [06:56] – What if you lose all your luggage and passport? [08:50] – Advantage of local tour company in emergency. [09:35] – How to recover critical documents and credit card. [10:30] - Place em

Crime risk has a direct correlation to the nature of the premises. Property open to the public operates at greater crime risk. Cash-based late-night businesses have greater crime risk. Nature of the premises may foresee the level of crime risk. Podcast Time Stamps: [01:40] - Business owners are reluctant to change the way they operate. [01:58] - Quick-fixes are like Bandaids that need to be reapplied often. [03:00] - Major risk factor is the Nature of the Premises. [03:37] - Examples of different business model effect on crime. [04:56] - Each business type attracts a different type of customer. [05:25] - Restaurant wants to add entertainment and liquor license. [06:55] - Banks offer different level of risk after hours at ATMs. [07:50] - Hotels lease out ballrooms for parties increases assault risk [08:27] - Convenience store check-cashing increases robbery risk. [08:52] - Parking lot use and risk vary through the course of the day. [09:40] - Expected property use versus actual use. [10:20] - Twe

Loss Prevention Agents are a surprise to shoplifters when caught. Shoplifters feel that their theft was undetected. Shoplifters thought they were careful not to be spotted. Shoplifters saw no one following before exiting a store. Shoplifters are shocked when loss prevention agents detain them. Podcast Time Stamps [00:39] - Shoplifters are surprised when caught. [00:55] - The high cost of shoplifting. [03:00] - Loss Prevention Agents Focus on Shoplifting. [03:30] - Loss Prevention Agents have Special Training. [03:56] - LP Agents Know their Store Inventory. [04:45] - LP Agents Study Shopper Behavior. [06:00] - Loss Prevention Agents Practice Profiling. [07:15] - Loss Prevention Agents use Technology. [08:30] - Loss Prevention Work as a Team. [09:30] - Loss Prevention Train to Detain & Arres.t [10:40] - Loss Prevention Agents Document the Crime. [11:25] - Loss Prevention Agents Facilitate Prosecution [12:48] - Footnote: 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey. 10 Things Retail Store LP Agents Want Sh

Convenience store robbery worries late-night retail store operators. Will bad cash handling attract robbers to your store? Does poor cash handling contribute to employee theft? What cash handling best practices will prevent robbery? What tools prevent convenience store robbery and manage cash? Options to safely manage convenience store bank deposits? Podcast Time Stamps [01:16] - Introduce Convenience Store Decisions writer Pat Pape. [01:37] - Correlation: cash handling and convenience store robbery. [02:15] - Best practice for managing cash in convenience stores. [05:00] - Convenience store robbery is a selection process. [07:00] - Policy: Never accept bills larger than $20. [08:00] - Immediately drop all $20 bills in view of the customer. [11:00] - No c-store should cash large checks as a business practice. [17:18] - Prevent convenience store robbery invest in a cash controller. [22:30] - Thoughts about moving cash between registers and backroom. [27:50] - How, were, and when to safely mana

Do armed security guards require more regulation? Should there be a national standard for background checks? Is there a national clearinghouse for armed security guards? Is mental health screening necessary for armed security guards? Do armed security guards need more use-of-force training? Play CNN Hired Guns video then listen to the podcast dialog Podcast Time Stamps [00:40] - Should government create laws for armed security guards [01:25] - Armed security officers are not police officers [04:10] - Interview with investigative reporter Lisa McCormick begins [08:00] - At what level of government should regulations be enacted [12:00] - Need for a national armed security guards clearinghouse [18:15] - Armed security guards agency is easiest to regulate [21:15] - Property owners that hire armed guards are responsible [23:00] - Interview follow-up and remarks Armed Security Guards in the News Investigative reporter, Lisa McCormick from WDAF-TV in Kansas City called to get my

ATM robbers may be waiting at your Automated Teller Machine. ATM cash withdrawal after-hours is high-risk if alone and female. Learn how ATM robbers think and view you as a potential victim. Think about times and locations where your ATM use was risky. Have a family meeting to discuss plans for late-night ATM use. Podcast Time Stamps: [1:10]  - ATM robbers want the element of surprise. [1:48]  - Some ATM locations are better for robbers. [2:40]  - My ATM is your ATM. [3:28]  - Robbers don’t like ATM machines in supermarkets. [4:10]  - Robbers prefer to confront a single ATM victim. [4:45]  - Robbers expect ATM victims to cooperate. [5:20]  - Robbers hate attentive ATM customers. [5:58]  - ATM robbers will use excessive force if you resist. [6:25]  - Video surveillance cameras not a big concern to ATM robbers. [7:05]  - Good lighting doesn’t matter that much to ATM robbers. 10 things Robbers don't want ATM victims to know.Tweet This Play video clip to see ATM robbers in action ATM Robbers

Los Angeles violent crime surged by 67% downtown for the first six months of 2015 according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports. Is the increase in violent crime caused by gang activity? Was it caused by the jail inmate early-release program? Is it related to the growing Skid Row Homeless Population? Did Proposition 47 felony crime reclassification cause the spike? Mayor Eric Garcetti and Chief Charlie Beck press conference   Podcast Time Stamps: [00:45] - Press conference with Chief Beck and Mayor Garcetti. [01:48] - Interview with KABC talk-radio show host Peter Tilden. [02:30] - Why is Los Angeles violent crime increasing downtown. [03:55] -  Los Angeles violent crime up 67% in downtown. [04:50] - More cops not the answer to lowering crime statistics. [08:52] - My comments about the interview subject matter. [09:02] - What's causing the spike in Los Angeles violent crime. [10:50] - Three-strikes law in California. [12:35] - Perfect Crime Storm. [13:00] - Early-release of ja

Home Invasion robbery can strike anyone including American Idol star Scotty McCreery. There was a knock on the apartment door at 2:00 am. The door was opened and three heavily-armed robbers barged in. Robbers took wallets, phones, and electronics totaling $1,600. America’s Morning Show host Blair Garner called about the May 2014  home invasion robbery of country singer Scotty McCreery. Home Invasion Robbery Country music star Scotty McCreery won the 10th season of American Idol in 2011. At the time of this incident, McCreery was a 20-years old and a student at Raleigh's North Carolina State University. According to police, McCreery said he and his friends bought hamburgers and returned to the apartment to eat and watch the movie, Gladiator. Just as the movie was getting good there was a knock on the apartment door about 2:00 am. One of the guys who lived in the apartment figured it was just a neighbor. He looked through the peep-hole in the door. He only saw one guy standing outside the door w

Employee theft is the silent profit killer that plays a major role in the financial life or death of your restaurant, cafe, hotel, or bar. How can I learn the causes and cures of employee theft and prevent loss in my business? How do I prevent employee theft in my restaurant, hotel, or bar? What loss prevention strategy, when implemented, will keep my employees honest? Employee Theft Our topic is employee theft prevention in the hospitality industry. I answer questions of my co-host Ken Burgin from the Profitable Hospitality podcast located down-under in Sydney, Australia. Employee Theft from a restaurant, hotel, or bar is a term that is used when an employee steals cash, food, ingredients, or supplies while working on the job. In the eyes of the law, employee theft is just theft…the elements of the crime are identical. To commit theft, the employee must intend to permanently deprive their employer of the value of the item stolen. Employee theft is an insidious crime because the employer i

Bar bouncers are caught on video acting like thugs and brawlers intentionally punching, kicking, using knee strikes, and stomping on patrons just like in the movie Road House. A reporter from the St. Augustine Record newspaper in Florida asked me to view video footage posted on YouTube and comment on the behavior of several Conch House Marina bar bouncers. You be the judge about how the bar bouncers handled the melee when you view this video for yourself. The bar bouncers are the big guys dressed in orange t-shirts. My video observations Conch House Marina dock was critically over-crowed. Bouncers were acting like thugs rather than protective security. Bouncers yelling "chill out" is not effective in crowd control. I counted six people down with injuries or unconscious. I saw bouncers throwing sucker-punches. I saw a bouncer using a choke-hold on a patron. I saw a bouncer kicking, kneeing, and stomping on a patron. I saw blatant excessive force by multiple bouncers. I saw bar bys

Questions about apartment security and a gang takeover of my building? My rental property was taken over by Los Angeles gang members. How can I get them out and make my building safe? I called the police and was told they can't remove them, is that true? High-crime four-plex apartment building A Crime School listener named Victor contacted me asking for advice about apartment security and gang takeover of his building. I spoke to him on the phone to gather more details. Here is a summary of what Victor said: His elderly mother owns a two-story four-plex apartment building in a high-crime neighborhood of Los Angeles His mother is physically unable to manage the property any longer He lives eighty-miles away with his own career and family. He is trying to help out his mother part-time on weekends The building is taken over by gangsters who he believes forced entry and are living in the second-floor units He can't find leases or paperwork on any of the tenants so he doesn’t know for certa

A disorderly house in California is a liquor licensed premises that disturbs the neighborhood or is maintained for purposes which are injurious to the public morals, health, convenience or safety. A liquor license outlet that: (a) disturbs the neighborhood with noise, loud music, loitering, littering, vandalism, urination or defecation by patrons, graffiti, etc.; or (b) has many crimes ongoing inside, such as drunks, fights, assaults, prostitution, narcotics, etc. The liquor license premises includes the parking lot (and 20 feet of sidewalk in some cases). (Calif B&P Code 25601 and 24200). What kind of liquor license establishments can be considered a disorderly house in California? How does a business operating as disorderly house affect the neighborhood and local law enforcement? Is a liquor license owner in California responsible for patron conduct in the parking lot and front sidewalk? How does the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control learn about crime and nuisance complain

Shoplifters, like all thieves, don't want to get caught. Shoplifters don't want you to know why your store is desirable. Shoplifters perception influences how often they visit your store. Learn how to make your store appear less inviting to shoplifters. We hope this motivates you to look at your own retail operation. Shoplifters account for billions in retail store losses every year Podcast Time Stamps: [2:50] - I don’t like being greeted when I enter your store. [3:18] - I don’t like excessive customer service. [3:42] - I don’t like neatly organized aisles and displays. [4:15] - I don’t like undercover loss prevention agents. [4:52] - I don’t like video surveillance cameras. [5:25] - I don’t like stores that prosecute shoplifters. [6:01] - I don’t like locked or monitored fitting-rooms. [6:28] - I don’t like locked or monitored restrooms. [7:04] - I don’t like security-cables or electronic sensor tags. [7:34] - I don’t like exit bag-checks or door security guards. 10 Things a Shoplifter Do

Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, part-two. In this episode, we continue the discussion about apartment security and this highly-effective crime prevention partnership. The goal of the Crime Free Multi-housing Program is to keep illegal activity off rental housing property. The Crime Free Multi-housing Program was developed in 1992 at Mesa Police Department by today's guest Tim Zehring. There is no one better to tell you about the benefits of the Crime Free Programs and the International Crime Free Association. Crime Free Multi-Housing If you own one or more multi-family apartment properties or you’re in the business of residential rental property management then this program is for you. Property Owner or Manager Ask yourself these questions: Do you want help to prevent criminal incidents from occurring on your property like open and active drug activity, gang activity, loitering, trespassing, graffiti, vandalism, property damage, burglary to rental units and vehicles, stolen cars, and physic