Tamarac Plaza

THEFT/CRIME

Among specific property types, office building crime has been on the rise recently. This is due to the type of equipment. Desktop computers and other advanced technology now found in offices make a tempting target for theft. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that much of this equipment is compact and portable.

Also attributing to the increased crime in office buildings is apathetic employee attitudes and easier public access to these buildings. In addition, office buildings have a high density with many people and possessions in a concentrated area.

Many crimes in and around office settings are crimes of opportunity. Make sure that you vehicle is free of belongings and electronics, etc. This will eliminate someone being templted to break into the vehicle.

First and foremost, Tenants should follow procedures around two types of thieves that commit most crimes:

1. Outsiders

Casual or professional thieves: ask to assist unfamiliar persons on the property.
Service or repair persons: ask to see identification.
Delivery persons or messengers: escort them to their destinations.

2. Insiders

Employees: work to educate and change the attitude of employees.
Tenants: establish and enforce strict screening procedures.
Clients.
Visitors of occupants: require visitors to either sign in and out at a main desk or to wear visitor badges while on the property.

During a Crime

Here are some suggestions to follow while a criminal activity is taking place:

* Report the crime to the police.

Stay calm.

State the problem.

Give the property's address along with the nearest main cross streets.

Give the caller's name, address, and telephone number.

Let the operator, who is trained to take information about a crime, take control of the conversation. Answer all the operator's questions, and stay on the phone until the operator says that it is all right to hang up.

* Do not be a spectator. Anyone in the crime area should leave it, or avoid it if possible.

* Never argue or debate with an assailant, an unbalanced person, a thief, or a robber. Many of these people carry weapons and will use them if provoked.

* Never block an assailant's or robber's escape.

* Never fight back forcibly, unless required in a life-threatening situation.

* If possible, look carefully and get a full description of the assailant of thief:

Height, weight, age, sex.
Facial hair, hair color, hairstyle.
Distinguishing features, scars.
Eye color.
Glasses, jewelry, clothing.
Complexion.
Speech patterns.
Vehicle type, color, license number.
Method and direction of escape.

After the Crime

The steps should include the following:

Do not disturb anything at the scene.

Keep everyone confined to the building until authorities give the all clear signal to return.

Do not invite a copycat crime by revealing detailed modus operandi to the media.

Never report large losses and detailed descriptions of stolen items to the media. Readers will know what is being replaced.


Introduction and Purpose	Emergency Telephone Numbers
Panic Control	Building Life Safety Systems
Fire Safety Systems	Disabled/Physically Impaired Evacuation
Bomb Threat Procedures and Checklist	Medical Emergencies
Power Failure	Severe Weather
Gas Leaks	Elevator Malfunction
Crime/Theft	General Building Information
Moving Policy	UPS Backup