by charlene_voisin | August 1, 2013 9:00 am
By David J. Sexton
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As a jeweller, you’re aware of the risks you face when working and travelling with jewellery. However, if you’re not also following sound security procedures at your home, you may be exposing yourself and your family to potential danger.
Home invasions can turn violent and even deadly, so understanding how to keep your family and home safe and secure is critical. Several years ago in Ontario, a jeweller found his own family under attack by someone who carefully targeted him and planned the robbery in advance. The police reported an armed man forced his way into the home of a jewellery store manager, struck the manager’s wife in the jaw, and tied her up. The couple’s seven-month-old baby was also home.
When the store manager arrived home later that evening, the suspect overtook him, leaving him bound and gagged. The thief then left with the manager’s car, keys to the store, security codes, and the combination to the store safe. The couple was able to free themselves an hour later, but the police did not apprehend the suspect.
In March 2013, Toronto police arrested five men who are suspected of committing numerous robberies. Ten of these robberies were home invasions of victims connected to jewellery businesses. According to John Lamont, director of loss prevention with Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC), this type of crime appears to be on the rise.
To avoid a scary situation happening at your home, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., recommends the following:
Most home invasions are preceded by some form of casing, during which criminals study family patterns, as well as store procedures. These aren’t random events—criminals do their homework before attacking. When criminals observe a store’s opening and closing procedures, they are able to identify their targets based on who has keys to the business, who can operate the alarm, and who can access the contents of the jewellery safe(s).
As with most theft, you can try to prevent an incident before it happens by being alert for suspicious activity or people. Here are a few recommendations to protect yourself and your family:
For more information about securing your home, visit JewelersMutual.ca[4] or contact Jewelers Mutual at communications@jminsure.com[5] for a free security brochure. For an updated crime prevention manual or for the most updated crime data, contact Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) at (800) 636-9536 or info@jewellersvigilance.ca[6].
David J. Sexton, CPCU, is vice-president of loss prevention at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., in the United States. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Sexton serves on the Underwriters’ Laboratories’ (UL) Security Systems Council, where he is a corporate member of the insurance category. He also sits on the board of directors for Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC), and worked on the Central Station Alarm Association’s (CSAA’s) Insurance Liaison Committee that assisted in the development of the UL burglar alarm modular certificate program and revised UL standard. Comments and questions can be sent to lossprevention@jminsure.com[7].
For training resources regarding safety and security when carrying or working with jewellery, visit JM University at JewelersMutual.com[8]. Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is the only company specializing exclusively in jewellery insurance in the United States and Canada. It is licensed in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/features/a-risky-business-protecting-you-and-your-family-from-home-invasions/
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