Off-premises crime: The threat is growing—are you prepared?

by charlene_voisin | February 1, 2013 9:00 am

By David J. Sexton

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Off-premises robbery involving retail jewellers is a growing concern in Canada, reinforcing a key loss-prevention lesson for the benefit and well-being of the entire jewellery industry. Whether retailer, manufacturer, or wholesaler, the threat is real; taking the opportunity to learn about off-premises crime exposures is time well spent.

Criminal activity against the Canadian jewellery industry in 2012 lends urgency to the need for greater awareness, sharing of information, participation in local crime networks, and much more co-ordination with law enforcement, particularly when it comes to one certain group. According to John Lamont, director of loss prevention for Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC), South American gangs are continuing to sharpen their off-premises theft techniques.

Lamont says off-premises crimes matching the modus operandi of South American gangs have proliferated in Canada’s western cities, with recent occurrences in Calgary and Edmonton. He anticipates an eastward migration of these types of crimes.

More importantly, Lamont notes off-premises robberies increasingly victimize jewellery store personnel, not just travelling salespeople. While the specific nature and location of the crimes vary, close observation of victims in advance, sometimes for days, is a common thread.

Unfortunately, intimidation and violence are also becoming more widespread, with knives evidently the weapon of choice. One theory suggests the use of knives instead of guns is a tactic to garner less severe sentences for those who are apprehended and found guilty.

Specifically, criminals are on the lookout for store associates who may be transporting jewellery to the post office, repair shop, or a customer. They’re also watching for associates who appear to be making cash deposits at the bank. Their tactics may include:

• ambushing the intended victim in a parking lot;
• following the target on foot;
• “¨following the victim in a car and staging a fender bender, or
• seizing opportunities at gas stations, restaurants, and other locations where jewellery personnel may stop.

“It is clear from these crimes that criminals have a plan,” says Lamont. “The question to jewellery business operators is, ‘do you have a plan?’ Do not leave your store or home without a plan.”

Knowledge is power

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The danger of off-premises crime was all-too real for Knar Jewellery in Oakville, Ont. In 2008, an armed man forced his way into the store manager’s house, striking his wife in the jaw and tying her up. When the manager arrived home around 7 p.m., the suspect overtook him, leaving him bound and gagged and making off with his car, the keys to the store, security codes, and the combination to the safe. Police said the manager was likely followed previously to get a sense of his routine, schedule, and where he lived.

What can we learn from this example? For one, off-premises robbery can happen to any store associate—criminals do not limit their attention to store owners. Second, although this home invasion and robbery were highly traumatic, no one was physically injured or killed. This underscores the value of complying with the robbers’ instructions. In the vast majority of robbery cases resulting in injury or death, the victims resisted in some way. Lastly, this incident reinforces the importance of always being alert to the possibility of being stalked by criminals. It also emphasizes the value of being as unpredictable as possible—criminals rely on their intended victims’ predictable schedules and routines.

Lamont stresses the importance of training and education for jewellers and their staff members on the subject of off-premises perils. He cites both the JVC’s Training Manual for the Canadian Jewellery and Watch Industry and Jewelers Mutual’s JM University online training program as good educational resources.

Both these tools provide detailed information on how to avoid away-from-premises robberies and advice on what to do if you find yourself being robbed. This information revolves around six major recommendations:

1. Never resist an armed robbery. There is no doubt some criminals who stalk members of the jewellery industry will, at times, resort to violence, as was the case of one jeweller and his assistant making a delivery to a mall in Longueuil, Que. Thieves armed with knives beat up the jeweller after he resisted. Police say he was fortunate he was not stabbed.
2. Never leave jewellery being transported unattended. Remember, the primary threat of off-premises crime is from professional criminals—they know what they are doing. According to JVC and law enforcement agencies, many of these criminals come from South America where some actually train in schools to learn and practice the techniques of separating jewellery personnel from their merchandise. These gangs prey on members of the industry, watching them closely and learning their routine. When the moment is right, they are ready to take from you whatever they can.
3. Check frequently to determine whether you are being followed. Every time you approach or leave a jewellery location, behave as though you are being followed. This means looking over your shoulder and taking evasive action, whether you are in your car or on foot. Before parking your car at a jewellery premises, drive around the area, including the parking lot and nearby streets, checking to see if the location is being watched by potential thieves. If you spot someone who appears to be observing the jewellery location, delay your visit while you call the jeweller and police, informing them of the suspicious persons. Similarly, if you’re on foot and feel you’re being followed, go to a place of greater safety, preferably premises with a security guard like a bank. Call 911 and state you are a jewellery salesperson and are being followed by suspicious persons.
4. Don’t fall for distractions. Dropping money, asking for help, or any number of other interruptions will put you in a vulnerable position. Don’t take the bait.
5. Make sure the amount of jewellery you’re transporting is manageable. A member of the jewellery industry moving merchandise should be able to do so easily. Too much bulk and weight in your line can make you a sitting duck. On the other hand, do not separate your lines, leaving a portion in the car trunk unattended. You are asking for a loss, and one that is probably uninsured.
6. Use your cell phone as a crime-prevention tool. If you believe you’re being followed, call police for assistance. Tell them where you are, what you have in your possession, and ask to be directed to a local police station or another location where officers can offer assistance and ward off would-be assailants.

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Although these points can help avoid off-premises theft, sometimes even the most conscientious and vigilant loss-prevention practices aren’t enough to thwart a robbery attempt. The statistics support the recommendation that your safest course of action is to co-operate with thieves and comply with their instructions. In 2011, one third of off-premises robberies reported to JVC included physical assault. In nearly all of those cases, the violence was in response to some level of resistance on the victim’s part.

Remember, merchandise and property can be replaced—human lives cannot. To minimize the monetary loss, however, ensure you have the proper insurance, with appropriate coverage limits to protect your business. For example, before attending any trade show, review your insurance policy to understand what is covered. Although most jewellers block policies exclude coverage of merchandise while at a trade show, this specific type of coverage is available. Further, additional travel coverage can be arranged via an endorsement to your policy with your insurance broker.

The importance of loss-prevention training can’t be overstated, as well as the need to remain aware and participate in crime-prevention groups. There are some encouraging signs suggesting the jewellery community in Canada is beginning to adapt to the growing threat of crime directed at it. Criminals, however, are also adapting to circumvent their intended victims’ defences. With the stakes so high, continuous crime-prevention vigilance and ongoing sharing of information are key to the security of our industry.

For training resources regarding safety and security when carrying or working with jewellery, visit JM University at JewelersMutual.com[4]. 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.

David J. Sexton, CPCU, is vice-president of loss prevention at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company 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[5].

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/features/off-premises-crime-the-threat-is-growing-are-you-prepared/

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