CRIME PREVENTION UNIT BUSINESS WATCH
The Saginaw Township Police Department takes pride in working with area businesses, helping deal with crime problems after they occur. In 2005, the department’s Crime Prevention Unit developed a program to assist our businesses prevent crime from occurring in the first place. The Business Watch Program was designed to form a partnership between the business community and the police department of Saginaw Township. Working together to reduce the likelihood of crime is the ultimate goal. To achieve this goal, Crime Prevention Officers focus on three major areas: crime alerts, training, and risk assessments.
Crime Alerts
Crime Prevention Officers have step up informational email alert networks for a variety of business sectors to communicate with participating Business Watch members. Emails are sent out regarding crime trends affecting our business community such as business burglaries, vehicle larcenies, counterfeit currency, or various frauds. By quickly disseminating this information, businesses become aware of the potential problem and can take the appropriate measures needed to prevent from being a victim of the same or similar crime. Currently email networks are in place for retail businesses, jewelry stores, financial institutions and apartment communities.
Training
Crime Prevention Officers offer our business community a variety of training opportunities. Officer will hold safety seminars when requested by a Saginaw Township business. Officers routinely provide training on a variety of topics for your businesses and employees in areas such as robbery prevention, internal theft/embezzlement, personal safety, site security, check and credit fraud, identity theft, as well as any other issue that might be of concern for your business. We can provide training at your business location or at police headquarters.
Crime Prevention Officers are active members of the Saginaw Township Business Association. Officers attend monthly STBA meetings and offer crime updates along with prevention tips.
Risk Assessments
On site security surveys are offered to members of the Business Watch Program. Our Crime Prevention Officers are certified in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Officers can conduct an assessment of the exterior and interior of your business and make recommendations on how you may be able to reduce the chances of crime occurring on your property. Sometimes things as easy as cutting back foliage, changing to a different light bulb, or restricting access to certain areas of your business can make dramatic improvements in your overall safety.
Workplace Violence Prevention
Business Watch Members work with Crime Prevention Officers to reduce the likelihood of violence at their businesses and establish policies and training to respond to violent acts should they occur. Officers will review business’s emergency preparedness policies and offer suggests for enhancing safety and security of the business, employees, and customers. Officers can train employees in violence reduction and response, to ensure that they respond appropriately if a violence act occurred at your workplace.
Shoplifter Task Force
To address crimes with our retail community, the Crime Prevention Unit development a one-of-the- kind initiative entitled the Shoplifter Task Force.
The Shoplifter Task Force unites the Saginaw Township Police Department, as well as other local police agencies, with the security and loss prevention professionals of our area retail stores. Information is routinely exchanged amongst members about shoplifters, organized crime rings, and other issues affecting our stores. The Shoplifting Task Force holds regular meetings with members to continue this informational exchange.
Several times a year, officers and security personnel hold Shoplifting Blitzes. During these blitzes, local law enforcement dedicates additional resources to the retail corridors while security and loss prevention personnel add to their respective forces as well. The primary goal of these blitzes is to apprehend and arrest every shoplifter. These initiatives have been extremely successful in reducing retail related crimes as well as criminal activity within the retail shopping corridors.
Link for more information on the Shoplifter Task Force
Financial Institution Security Team (FIST)
Officers meet monthly with members of local banks and credit unions as part of our FIST Program. Members exchange information regarding recent robberies, fraudulent activity, and people involved in these crimes. These meetings are hosted by the Saginaw Township Police Department but are frequently attended by local law enforcement agencies as well as the FBI and Secret Service.
FIST Members also participate in an email network to keep updated between meetings to ensure they do not become victims of crimes occurring in our area.
The Saginaw Township Business Watch Program is meant to be an open communication between the police and business communities. Crime prevention only works if you get involved to assist the police with making our community safer.
If you are interested in learning more about the Business Watch Program, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (989) 791-7210.
Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr
About STPD
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Crime Prevention Unit
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