Police chief's message is better safe than sorryPolice chief's message is better safe than sorryApril 30, 2004
Oakley may not be considered crime capital of the world, but as Oakley's Police Chief Jon Cox says, "We don't have a high crime rate, but we are part of this world and crime happens here." According to Cox, it is better to be prepared than sorry later on.
That was his message to local business owners Tuesday at a luncheon where he announced the department's new "Business Watch Program." The idea behind the program is keep local business owners communicating and aware of what is happening.
Part of the program is designed to encourage business owners to use security measures to effectively reduce crime through environmental designs. A good example, Cox said, is work that he is currently doing with a local business owner who has experienced a rash of break-ins over the past few months. The Oakley business has been burglarized three times in about as many months. Cox and other members of his department have gone over the property and given the business owner a list that may help him to alleviate problems in the future.
The list includes the business' vulnerability points and suggested added fencing around the back of the building, keeping merchandise as visible as possible when the store is closed by keeping windows uncovered and keeping inside security lights on at night so that criminals can't operate under the cover of darkness.
The program is being implemented by two city police volunteers. Clyde Hinckly, who is a 31-year veteran of law enforcement and retired from the San Bruno Police Department, and Jimmy Dorsey, who is experienced with business management in the food service industry and a volunteer at the county detention center in Clayton. "Both these men are very excited about getting the program going," Cox said.
The environmental design part of the program also works with personal and employee safety, entry control, locks and alarms, cash handling and banking, and landscaping control.
Another aspect of the program is crime prevention training for businesses. This includes employee theft, armed robbery, vandalism and bad check restitutions.
"This is where communication will be an important part of the program," Cox said. He gave an example of a group that is passing fraudulent $100 bills. The group washes the ink off real $5 bills so that only the paper remains. Because the paper is the real deal, it will pass many of the authentication tests used to check for phony currency. The counterfeiters then reprint the paper with images of a $100 bill. If a business owner isn't looking they might simply take the money and not realize it isn't legal tender. Although, the bank is sure to notice and the business will not get credit for that money.
One other problem is shoplifting. It isn't just kids who shoplift either. It is a crime that often goes unnoticed and when it is detected there are times, Cox said, that businesses don't confront the people who are doing the crime and then the criminal comes back again and again. While many business owners may be afraid to confront shoplifters, the chief recommends that business owners do call the police and have them take care of the matter.
"The important thing to remember is not to get physical with the shoplifter," Cox said. He recommends that you keep the shoplifter talking until the police can get there. If that isn't possible be a good witness and write down as many characteristics as possible about the shoplifter.
Since many criminals stay within a generalized area and create a pattern of crime it is important to keep in touch with each other and communicate the problems to your local police department. If you want to report a non-emergency crime call 925-625-6700.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times