Category: Commercial Security

Tucson, AZ features a varied and eclectic food scene — you’ll find everything from traditional Southwest and Mexican fare to an assortment of Italian eateries, steakhouses, barbecue shacks and much more. If you’re planning to open a restaurant in the Tucson area, here are a few tips that can help you stand out from the crowd — and ensure you are creating a clean, safe and secure environment for your patrons and employees:

1. Choose the Location Wisely

 Many aspiring restaurateurs cling to the notion that location doesn’t matter — if you have great food, attentive service and an interesting concept, diners will keep coming back. However, the most successful eating establishments are often the most accessible — people want a place that is easy to get to, located in a safe neighborhood and has ample parking.

2. Choose the Right Chef

 Your choice of chef can make or break your restaurant. Select a chef who possesses superior culinary skills — and is willing to be flexible to meet your diners’ evolving tastes.

3. Have Sufficient Capital

 New restaurant owners often make the mistake that the initial buzz that accompanies the opening will last forever. However, most new eateries experience a significant drop-off in business once the excitement subsides. Opening with six to nine months of working capital in reserve will help you weather the storm during that crucial first year in business.

4. Make Enhancing the Dining Experience a Top Priority

 Doing the little things that add value to the customer experience can deliver long-term dividends. Letting diners sample new dishes or beverages or giving out gift cards are inexpensive touches that go a long way toward establishing and maintaining customer loyalty.

5. Implement a System-Based Operating Approach

 Too many restaurateurs run their establishments “by the seat of their pants,” which results in inefficiency and waste. The most successful restaurants typically operate like a company and have systems in place to control and monitor every aspect of the business.

6. Don’t Take Shortcuts When It Comes to Health and Safety

 Tucson has strict restaurant codes and regulations in place regarding health and safety. A significant violation can put your diners and employees at risk and possibly shut down your business. Areas of focus should include fire prevention in the restaurant kitchen, kitchen hood safety, and implementing comprehensive sanitation procedures.

7. Create a Secure Environment

 A state-of-the-art security system for restaurants will increase safety and give you peace of mind. Key security system features include video surveillance cameras at high-risk spots such as entrances, cash-handling areas and parking lots, fire alarms in the kitchen and burglar alarms to protect the property when the restaurant is closed. The system should also have 24/7 remote monitoring to ensure a timely response when a fire, break-in or other security emergency occurs.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Meet Your Restaurant Security Needs in Tucson, AZ

 Titan Alarm can provide a reliable, cost-effective monitored security solution for your Tucson restaurant. We’re also a leading supplier of restaurant safety equipment such as kitchen hoods and fire extinguishers. Contact us to schedule a free on-site security consultation today.

Learn More About Commercial Security

• Restaurant Safety and Security
• Commercial Security Needs
• How Titan Alarm can Protect Your Business

Like it or not, if you’re in an airport, school, airport, grocery store or nightclub, there’s a good chance there’s at least one security camera keeping a watchful eye on you. The increasing presence of security cameras in our society has fueled a heated debate regarding whether this is a positive or negative development. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using surveillance cameras in public places.

Pros of Security Cameras in Public

There are several advantages to having cameras monitor public places. Cameras can help benefit homeowners, business owners, law enforcement and any private citizen that uses public spaces.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of installing cameras in public places is enhanced safety. Cameras can provide a sweeping panoramic view of a wide area or target specific locations noted for heavy criminal activity. A visible camera can also serve as a deterrent that can prevent crimes such as shoplifting, muggings and thefts from occurring.

If a criminal sees a camera, it may be enough to stop them from doing whatever illegal activity they were planning. And in a time where we live with the constant threat of terrorism, security cameras can spot suspicious individuals before they can act. This proactive approach to crime can help prevent losses and unnecessary suffering. If you know that there is a way to stop something bad from ever happening, why wouldn’t you do it?

When crimes are committed, video cameras with recording capabilities can provide valuable evidence to law enforcement and prosecutors. Law enforcement can use the footage to identify and apprehend the offenders, while prosecutors can use it as proof of alleged perpetrator’s guilt. This knowledge can save law enforcement from identifying the wrong person and arresting the wrong people. In a legal setting, it is very difficult to argue against video footage of a crime. It’s a pretty foolproof piece of evidence. Security cameras can also prevent false claims and fraud. If a person is lying about an incident, security camera footage can easily disprove their claim. This can help law enforcement get back to solving real cases faster.

“Is the government recording me in public?” That’s a common concern many people have regarding the use of cameras in public places. While the short answer is no, some municipalities do use video cameras to catch drivers who run red lights and to monitor the flow of traffic in congested areas. The former can increase driver and pedestrian safety, while the latter can provide timely traffic and road condition information to commuters.

Cameras monitoring road activity can also help identify stolen vehicles quicker. Without security cameras, law enforcement must rely only on eyewitness reports of sightings of the stolen vehicle. With cameras, officials can monitor cameras in the area around the time of the crime to find the vehicle a lot faster.

Security cameras can also lower insurance costs for homeowners and businesses. However, this is up to your insurance company. If you are considering installing security cameras at your home or business, you should consult with an insurance representative to see if they offer discounts or incentives for doing so. If your insurance company does offer these perks, they are doing so because it is a cost-effective practice.

For example, if you have cameras posted around your home or business, you are less likely to have a break-in or other crime committed on your property. Therefore, you are less likely to have to file an insurance claim. It saves both you and your insurance company money when you install security cameras at your home or place of business.

There is not a lot of large-scale data about the effectiveness of security cameras in public places, but some smaller-scale data collection has shown that these cameras lower crime rates and are effective in their areas. The presence of a video camera in a public place could be enough of a deterrent to a criminal, or even a sign posted that states the area is under video surveillance.

However, more data is necessary to show whether security cameras are as effective as we think they are. It should be a priority to collect more data to back up the idea that security cameras are effective in every scenario and area. Figuring out if security cameras, or other monitoring practices, are the most effective will help make public areas the safest they can be for all citizens.

Cons of Security Cameras in Public

While security cameras posted in public areas can provide many benefits to the public, they do pose some concerns that are necessary to take into consideration.

Security cameras monitoring public areas can appear to some as an invasion of privacy. If an innocent person is being monitored who has absolutely no intention of committing a crime, they will still be monitored. The person watching the video cannot tell whether something will happen or not. This uncertainty can cause many bystanders to be monitored needlessly.

However, this is necessary in order to catch crimes. While most people agree that we face serious security challenges these days, not everyone believes installing security cameras in public places is an acceptable method for protecting our citizens. These folks would rather maintain their privacy than having the uneasy feeling that “Big Brother” is watching their every move.

It can cost a lot of money to install security cameras, monitors and related equipment in a public area. This equipment is expensive to purchase and must also be maintained. Many of these cameras are outdoors, so they are weathering rain, snow, wind and every other natural phenomenon. When the cameras are not working properly, they are basically useless. Costs can increase with this extra maintenance and the need to replace equipment when it breaks.

Besides the cost of purchasing the equipment and maintaining it, there is also the cost of labor. Someone has to be on the receiving end of the security camera footage to make them effective at all. The more cameras there are, the more people you need to watch the surveillance footage. This means an even higher cost. In a time where budgets are tight, and businesses and government entities must make every dollar count, many people wonder if cameras are worth the investment.

In some cases, it can be difficult to prove that a security camera is an effective tool for deterring or preventing criminal activity. Brazen criminals may still apply their trade regardless of whether they spot a camera. Additionally, terrorists or suicide bombers are not concerned about the presence of cameras — in fact, many hope their heinous acts will be recorded for the world to see.

Currently, there is not a great deal of hard data backing up the effectiveness of security cameras. Once there have been more studies done on the effectiveness of security cameras in public places, we must rely on the ideas behind their implementation. However, it is important to make sure the theories behind those ideas are indeed correct.

Another con of security cameras in public areas is that they are not currently considered a type of public record. If you have a concern as a private citizen, you cannot request a copy of video surveillance like you could another type of public record, like a marriage certificate. When your tax dollars are being used to collect and monitor a type of information, some people would argue they have a right to access that information.

However, this could also be seen as a pro, depending on your point of view. If any person could access copies of video surveillance taken at public areas, it would be a huge privacy issue. Any type of information, including video collected from cameras posted in public areas, can easily be used for malicious reasons.

For example, a woman attempting to flee from an abusive partner could be tracked by accessing video information if it was available for public access. It would be very sad to see something that was intended to keep people safe actually cause something bad to happen.

Like many other forms of technology, security cameras can be hacked. This poses a serious threat to public safety, especially if criminals were to access the cameras to use for their benefit. Imagine this: a hacker breaks the security of a public camera and either turns it off or turns it away from the area where they plan to commit a crime. This would make it much easier for that person to get away with a robbery or another type of crime.

However, even though security cameras can be hacked, there are also preventative measures that can keep this from happening. Installing firewalls, secure passwords and other cybersecurity measures can help keep video surveillance footage safe from falling into the wrong hands.

Titan Alarm Can Meet Your Security Camera Needs

If you believe the pros of security cameras outweigh the cons, Titan Alarm, Inc. can design and install a state-of-the-art camera system that meets your unique security requirements. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

Learn More About Commercial Video Surveillance

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PHOENIX – Titan Alarm Inc., announces the acquisition of the accounts and customer bases of Post Security and CCS Systems. The deal with Post Security was closed on May 8^th and CCS Systems was closed on June 30^th..

Titan purchased the monitored accounts of Post Security, a Phoenix-based company owned by Scott Post. Scott formed Post Security in 1990 and provided a full range of low voltage service, including intrusion alarms, access control systems, low voltage wiring, intercom systems, camera systems, and surround sound systems.

“Post Security adds a very loyal customer base of intrusion alarm systems to Titan’s customer portfolio,” said Danny Holmgren, President of Titan Alarm. “Scott ran a great operation and provided incredible customer service, as evidenced by the praise we have heard from his customers since we began servicing them, and his low customer attrition. We are thrilled that when the timing was right, Scott chose Titan Alarm as the best fit to take care of his customers into the future.”

CCS Systems was established in 1981 in Tucson, Arizona, by Andy and Margie Billings. CCS provides residential and commercial services, including intrusion alarm, fire alarm, CCTV, access control, home theater and A/V, and central vacuum cleaning systems. With over 30 years of experience, CCS proudly built one of the premier security integration companies in Southern Arizona and built a reputation of exceptional quality and customer service.

“For Titan Alarm, the opportunity to combine the customer base and personnel of CCS Systems with Titan Alarm was extremely exciting. Southern Arizona has been a territory that we have serviced for years and built up a small account base in, but we have never established a true branch,” said Holmgren. “The addition of CCS brings a very loyal, healthy account base, but also adds a new territory which will allow us to expand and grow exponentially. This transaction more than quadruples our account base in Tucson.  That’s a very exciting opportunity for us, but we feel that is just the beginning.  We are pleased to be able to retain the staff from CCS and look forward to integrating their great skills and reputations as we build our first brick-and-mortar branch location outside of Phoenix.”

With the closing of the deals with Post Security and CCS Systems, Titan Alarm’s total RMR now exceeds $205,000, with other potential account acquisition opportunities in the works by the end of 2017.

Titan Alarm was founded in 2008 in Phoenix Arizona and has become a recognized leader in the Phoenix market. Titan has gained great market share thru its ability to provide high quality intrusion and smart home systems to its residential customers, as well as being a full-service security and life safety company offering intrusion alarm, HD-video surveillance systems, card access control systems, and fire detection and suppression systems.  Holmgren says that there is a great need for quality security and fire companies in Southern Arizona. “Being able to find a great company that is large enough to provide all of the services that we provide is difficult in most of Southern Arizona.  We are very excited to expand our footprint and truly feel that we will be able to offer a service that fills a great need in this territory”

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Theft is a serious problem throughout the retail industry. Each year, store owners and operators across the U.S. lose billions of dollars to shoplifting, as well as internal theft perpetrated by employees and vendors. If you’re a retailer, you need to be vigilant for the “red flags” that indicate a strong risk of theft — or that one has already occurred.

How to Spot Theft by Customers

Too often, store operators are not aware of an act of shoplifting until after the fact — when they notice a broken package with the merchandise missing or that the stock is depleted in specific areas of the store. It requires a watchful eye from managers, employees and security personnel to detect shoplifters before they have the opportunity to steal.

Fortunately, many potential shoplifters are easy to spot. There are certain types of individuals who commit most of the retail thefts in the U.S.:

• Teenagers/juveniles:

  Young people shoplift for numerous reasons — a response to peer pressure, the desire to have an expensive gadget they can’t afford or just for the thrill of it.

• Impulse thieves:

  This type of shoplifter can be more difficult to detect. They usually do not go into a store with the intent to steal. Instead, they take advantage of an unexpected opportunity such as a blind spot in the store layout or an unmonitored dressing room.

• Homeless individuals/drug addicts:

  Some individuals must resort to stealing just to survive or to support a habit. Homeless people or drug addicts may enter your store looking disheveled or disoriented and should be monitored closely as they move about.

• Nervous/shifty people:

  Most shoplifters are amateurs. They will enter a store alone and exhibit nervous behavior, such as constantly looking around to see if anyone is watching them.

Signs of Internal Theft

When you consider that a business can lose up to five percent of its revenues to employee stealing and fraud, internal retail theft prevention is essential to the survival of the business. Signs to watch for include:

• Missing inventory in Stockrooms 

  Employees who work in stockrooms or warehousing areas have easy access to the store’s merchandise and can take it out through an unsupervised back entrance or loading dock door.

• Lack of Documentation for Write-offs 

  Store employees who work in receiving may claim to have disposed of damaged merchandise or returned outdated goods to the manufacturer, although there may be no paper trail to account for it.

• Drawers Coming up Short 

  Cashiers who constantly have an issue with their drawers not balancing out at the end of the shift may be inept — or they could be helping themselves to the cash receipts.

Ramp up Your Theft Prevention Efforts by Installing an Advanced Security System

Knowing how to prevent retail theft will have a positive impact on your store’s bottom line. Your theft prevention program should include the installation of a state-of-the-art security system with features such as video surveillance and access control. Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for all you store security needs in the Phoenix, AZ area.

Learn More About Commercial Security

• How Titan Alarm Can Protect Your Business
• Making Your Business Secure
• What to do if you Discover Fraud in Your Business