Chapter 17 Commercial Security

Commercial Enterprises  The following rely on private security:  Financial institutions.  Office buildings.  Public and private housing.  Hotels and motels.  Facilities housing large public gatherings.  Racetracks, recreational parks, airports and airlines, mass transit and cruise lines.

Security Problems in Financial Institutions  The movement to make banking activities more accessible to citizens makes security more difficult.  In addition, the large amount of financial assets centralized in one location are extremely attractive to thieves.  The most frequent losses involve theft of cash or stocks and bonds, check and credit-card fraud and embezzlement of funds.

Bank Protection Act(1968)  Requires all federally insured banks, savings and loan institutions and credit unions to:  Designate a security officer.  Cooperate with and seek security advice from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.  Develop comprehensive security programs and implement protective measures to meet or exceed federal standards.  Maintain bait money.  Periodically remove excess cash from tellers’ windows and bank premises.  Develop security-conscious opening and closing procedures and stringent security inspections.

Additional Measures for Financial Institutions  Install and maintain vault area lighting systems.  Tamper-resistant exterior doors and window locks, cameras and alarm systems.

Office Building Security Problems  After-hours burglaries and theft.  Theft from a tenant by another tenant’s employees.  Theft by service, maintenance and custodial employees.  Assaults, rapes and other crimes against persons.  Regulation and control of visitor traffic.  Bomb threats.  Protection of executive offices and personnel.  Fire watch.

Items Stolen from Office Buildings  Small office equipment such as typewriters, calculators, duplicating and photocopying machines and computers and peripherals.  Office furnishings.  Securities and valuable documents.  Blank payroll checks and check-writing machines.

Security Measures in Office Buildings  Access control.  Proper authorization and documentation of the use of corporate assets by employees.  Periodic fire inspections and fire drills.

Security Problems of Residential Units  Theft.  Vandalism.  Assaults, particularly muggings.  Security consultants address these problems.  Access control, patrol by security officers and the provision of youth programs help to reduce residential losses.

Security Problems in Hotels/Motels  Major security problems:  Internal and external theft.  Vandalism.  Vice.  Fire.  Items stolen:  Money, credit cards, jewelry, linens, silver, food, liquor and other easily concealed items.

Security Measures in Hotels/Motels  Stringent key control and frequent re- keying.  Careful preemployment screening.  Monitoring systems  Use of unmarked towels and ashtrays.

Security Problems at Public Gatherings  Maintaining order.  Preventing admission of nonpaying people.  Preventing internal and external theft.  Providing first aid for injuries.  Regulating pedestrian and vehicle theft.  Security personnel are the primary means of reducing problems at public gatherings.

Security Problems at Racetracks  Access control.  Crowd control.  Parking security.  Vault security.  Alcohol control.  Fraud detection.  Security problems can best be met by adequate access control and by the presence of well- qualified, well-trained security personnel.

Airport and Airline Security  Security problems:  Skyjackings.  Bombs and bomb threats.  Air cargo theft.  Theft of passenger baggage, airline tickets, credit cards, merchandise from airport retail shops and items from vehicles in parking lots.  Crowd control.  VIP escorts.  Traffic control.  Potential for large-scale disasters.

FAA Requirements  Screening of all persons and carry-on baggage before entering an airport’s departure area.  The availability of a sworn law enforcement officer at the screening point within 3 to 5 minutes.  Development by both scheduled airline carriers and airport managers of security programs for FAA approval.  Development of an airport disaster plan.

Mass Transit Security  Security problems:  Robberies and assaults of operators, passengers and fare collectors.  Rapes and murders and theft of vehicles or their contents in park-and-ride areas.  Security measures:  Security guards, CCTV in waiting areas and on vehicles, phones and other emergency communications devices for riders, unbreakable glass as see-through barriers and high-intensity lighting.

Summary Questions  What commercial enterprises rely heavily on private security?  What specific security problems are encountered in each type of enterprise?  What targets are most common in each?  What special security precautions are implemented to protect the assets of each?

Summary Questions  What is required by the Bank Protection Act?  What agency regulates security of airports and airlines?