Security Articles

Is You Child Properly Cared For In Your Absence?

Who's watching your babysitter? Close friends of our family were thrilled to have found a mature, responsible woman, who spent all her time (except the baby's naptime) interacting with her child. Impressed by her handling of the baby, and her enthusiasm and apparent love for children, they left for work each day, comfortable in the knowledge that the infant was in good hands. Each afternoon when they returned home, the babysitter regaled them with tales of what the child had done each day. (smiling at music, being read to, doing infant exercises, getting carefully observed "tummy time", etc.) The baby seemed well and happy, and the arrangement was a positive one for all. The only thing the parents noticed was that the child was not hungry at her normal dinnertime, although when asked, the babysitter said she was being fed lunch at her regular lunchtime. We were asked to provide a "Nanny-Cam" ( a portable hidden camera system that records ) so that the parents could view for themselves the interaction between the baby and the babysitter. This was not done because of any suspicion, but rather for their own piece of mind. Imagine their disappointment and guilt to learn that their child was left in the crib or playpen on her own for hours on end. The babysitter did not play with the child, did not respond to the child, and did not even speak to the child. they learned that the babysitter lied about "lunchtime". as lunch was being fed after two pm instead of at noon, which explained the lack of dinner appetite. The caregiver totally ignored the child almost all day, until right before the time of expected arrival of the parents. Shortly before that time, she took the baby out of the playpen, holding her and playing with her as the parents walked through the door. This is another family who learned how important it is to monitor the interaction between their children and caregivers.

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse

The child next door… Unfortunately, recent headlines have highlighted the tragic heartbreak of children being abused, starved, and beaten by the very adults who are supposed to care for them. Think about each of the following facts from Childhelp USA website:

Three children die EACH DAY in the United States as a result of child abuse.
Only 1/3 of people report child abuse when faced with an actual situation.
The single, leading cause of death for children ages four and younger is child abuse.
On average, child abuse is reported somewhere in the United States every 10 seconds.
Most children are abused by people they know.

The most disturbing of the above is the sad lack of involvement on the part of people who witness situations and do not protect the children by reporting the situations. When a child abuse tragedy is reported in the media, neighbors often say that they “thought” something was wrong, yet too often no reports were made to the police or to local child protective services agencies. The reasons for not reporting abuse include not knowing where to call and misconceptions about what will happen once the report is made. Many people incorrectly believe that:

Child abuse cannot be reported anonymously. In most states, you don’t need to provide your name.
The person reported for abuse is entitled to know who made the report. THEY ARE NOT.
By law, abused children must be removed from their homes immediately, which is the LEAST likely outcome.

The following “Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse” have been provided to us by Childhelp USA, a non-profit organization which advocates for children and families. Physical Abuse:

Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises or welts
Bite marks
Anti-social behavior
Problems in school incl frequent absences
Fear of adults

Emotional Abuse:

Apathy
Depression
Hostility or stress
Lack of concentration
Eating disorders

Sexual Abuse:

Inappropriate interest/knowledge of sexual acts
Nightmares and bed wetting
Drastic changes in appetite
Overcompliance or excessive aggression
Fear of a particular person or family member

Neglect:

Unsuitable clothing for weather
Dirty or unbathed
Extreme hunger
Apparent lack of supervision

If you suspect a problem, IMMEDIATELY call the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline at 1 800 422-4453 or 1 800-4-A-CHILD, for direction as to how to report the problem, or call your local police precinct. The actual incidence of abuse and neglect is estimated to be three times greater than the number reported to authorities.

“Brazen Local Burglar Strikes Again”…Are you inviting a visit?

Many Staten Island residents are again losing sleep. There is another criminal(s) out there desperate enough to break into homes while the occupants are likely to be home. In fact, desperate enough to break into a Todt Hill home on a Monday night in October, and to return to the same home the very next night with the tools to dismantle the homeowner’s safe! On both the first AND the second night, the alarm system was not armed to protect the home. Those of you who regularly read our newsletter know how often we urge our readers to ARM THEIR ALARM SYSTEMS WHETHER HOME OR AWAY! I am so sorry to tell you that the victim of this burglary, as well as one of the victims of a previous burglary assumed to be committed by the so-called “Ninja” burglar, were long- time APB customers. And, in both cases, their alarms were NOT set. These families became complacent and believed that crime could not happen to them. This level of complacency simply astounds me. Is it possible that I care more about the safety and security of our customers’ homes, families, and businesses, than our customers themselves do? I was so upset by this latest series of events that I scolded my own customer! I don’t know how to impress upon each of you the importance of USING your alarm system, as well as testing it periodically. Please do not be the customer who calls us to tell us they have been burglarized or worse!! Historically, incidents of crime increase in times of a troubled economy, and this is NOT the time to let your guard down….

…Have a family (or staff) meeting and impress upon everyone the importance of using your alarm system all the time (home, away, awake or asleep).
…Call your alarm company for specific instructions on how to TEST your alarm, and perform these tests once a month.
…Invest in an entry intercom system, so that family members do not allow entry to “home invaders” (a practice becoming more frequent in recent months) by opening the door.
…Consider having a “panic” button installed in the master bedroom and/or children’s rooms, so that you can summon help if needed.
…Be sure that decals and lawn signs are prominently displayed on your property. (The Todt Hill home had neither.) This has been proven to be a major deterrent to most criminals.
…Ask about enhanced AES wireless radio for transmission of your alarm signals. This is a MUST if your phone lines are accessible and vulnerable to tampering. If a criminal cuts your phone line, your alarm signals will NOT be received by central station.
…AES wireless radio is ALSO A MUST if you have switched to your cable company for telephone service, or switched your phone system to Verizon Fios. Alarm signals may be erratic and may not always reach your central station via these systems.
…Keep in mind that a criminal might ring your doorbell (“by accident” or for another invented reason) just to listen and see whether you disarm an alarm system before opening the door. This will give him a good idea as to whether your alarm system is usually set, and he may return to break in if he believes you do not use your alarm.
…As the holiday season approaches, be even more vigilant about the security of your home, family and/or business…Keep exterior motion lights in working condition and put interior lights on timers, with windows and doors locked and alarm set.

Is an alarm system a deterrent to crime?

When paying your alarm monitoring and/or service bill, are you aware of the value you are receiving for your money? Most people do not realize the value of their alarm systems and the security it provides until they (or someone close to them) have been victimized by crime. Consider the following: Fact: Statistically, homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems. Source: Simon Hakim, Temple University, 215 204-7476 Fact: Statistically, losses due to burglary average $400. LESS in homes with security systems than for a residence without this protection. Source: Simon Hakim, Temple University, 215 204-7476 Fact: 90 percent of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts. Source: STAT Resources, Inc., Boston, Mass., 617 734-2000 Fact: 94 percent of alarm owners are satisfied with their alarm systems. Source: Simon Hakim, Temple University, 215 204-7476 Fact: Burglar bars can kill…From 1985 – 1991, an average of 16 people died each year due to burglar bars blocking their exits from burning buildings. Source: Learn Not to Burn Foundation, Quincy, Mass., 617 770-3000 According to the Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Association, “Security systems do work. It is a fact. Many burglars are scared off just by the presence of a security system.” Do you know how many times a criminal passed up your home BECAUSE of your security system? According to a 2002 FBI Uniform Crime Report, a burglary occurs in the U.S. every 14.7 seconds, and losses due to burglary totaled an estimated $3.3 billion dollars in 2002. Are you at risk for a burglary? Of course, all of us are. Homes today all contain items the burglar covets…from cash, electronics, and jewelry to the game systems in your child’s room. I am personally aware of least 3 instances this past holiday season where a crime was committed to obtain one of the video game systems that were in such demand. This is all good reason to make sure that your security system is functioning right now. Having a system that works will not protect you if you don’t set the alarm! Keep in mind that daytime burglaries occur just as often as nighttime burglaries. They are more likely to occur between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. Do you leave the house to drop off the kids?? Set the alarm! When you go next door to pick up mail or for a quick visit, set the alarm. Are you busy in the house doing chores? Set the alarm! AND, since a burglar will usually ring the doorbell first to determine if a home is occupied, when you are vacuuming or showering and can’t hear the doorbell, SET THE ALARM! Also, be sure to stress to other family members that the alarm must be set, day or night, home or not. What’s just as important as an alarm system that scares the criminal away as he breaks your window? The one thing that might prevent the burglar from even attempting to enter your home: Our lawn signs and decals. By letting the criminal know that your home is protected, you are almost insuring that he will continue on his way to find a home that is not alarmed. *A note of thanks to the NBFAA, for compiling and providing the FACTS referred to from the various sources referred to in this issue.

Corporate Security Risks…Is your business protected?

Corporate Security…Protecting your business Whether you are a sole proprietor working from home or a major financial institution, a breach in security can lead to devastating consequences. As a security consultant who has dedicated over 30 years to this field, I am touching on five categories in this issue that are worth evaluating, depending on what’s at risk in your particular business.

Physical Security – The premises should combine a difficult-to-penetrate exterior (wall and roof construction, solid doors, effective locks, vertical/horizontal gates) and proper deterrence (location, lighting, and visibility of access areas). Have either your local Crime Prevention Police Officer or an experienced security consultant perform a “walk through” to determine your overall susceptibility. At risk is the theft of customer records, confidential records, inventory, office equipment, vandalism, business interruption or perhaps unrecoverable destruction from arson. Experience has shown that over 90% of all buildings can be entered with the use of a simple crowbar which (when used effectively) can overwhelm almost any locked door. The tougher you make it for a criminal, the less likely that an attempt will be made to enter your premises. Effective physical security should be your first line of defense. However, never let physical security affect emergency evaluation. Life safety must always be of paramount importance while fortifying your premises. Thus, emergency exits must be equipped with devices designed to allow for easy emergency evacuation.
Electronic Security – An effective security system includes a remotely-monitored alarm system, with a back-up power supply, wireless communication to a central station and prompt, effective detection of intruders. A closed circuit TV system consists of cameras, monitors, and a properly specified recording system. Newer systems can be remotely accessed via use of an offsite computer. Businesses that do not cater to “walk-in” customer traffic should consider a communication system which can be used to identify and screen visitors. A combination of a comprehensive security system (which includes hold-up devices), a CCTV system, and an intercom system go a long way in deterring a robbery, rape or assault. Should such a terrifying event occur despite these efforts, the proper application could prove invaluable in the identification and apprehension of those involved in the crime.
Electronic Environmental Detection – Fire, smoke, water, low temperature, high temperature, and carbon monoxide detection should be part of every firm’s life safety plan. Fire cannot only destroy records, equipment and inventory, it can and has taken many lives. A broken water pipe can result in costly and devastating structural damage. A serious incident with fire, smoke or water will likely result in a firm’s temporary or permanent relocation. A carbon monoxide leak can be as deadly as any fire or smoke condition. Early detection of the above conditions may prove critical in saving life and/or property.
Employee Management – Can hiring a criminal, addict, or potential spy cause damage to your firm? Background checks should be given the highest priority, but they are not routine in most hiring procedures. Imagine owning a service business and having a convicted rapist working in customer homes, or a pedophile working in schools, or an addict driving your company’s vehicle. Consider your liability as the employer who didn’t invest the time and resources to help prevent such a potentially dangerous situation. In addition to the attention required in hiring new employees, existing employeesalso require attention in the form of supervision, accountability, and jobperformance. Failure of such can also lead to dire consequences. Perhaps anemployee’s history was not discovered during a background check. Or maybe an employee merely required the right opportunity to commit a crime. From the firstdate of employment to the last, an employee can be the best or worst investment your firm will make.
Computer Hacking – Hire a trusted expert to insure that passwords prevent unauthorized access to confidential information and, just as important, to be sure that outside “hackers” cannot access your system. Such access can be by a competitor, a criminal trying to sell confidential employment records, or even a firm in another country looking to download your files in search of an opportunity, or to simply inflict damage.

Other items which may need consideration are…

Power generators (if being without electricity can affect your firm’s performance)
Shredders (if trash contains confidential company or employee information)
Safety devices (signage, speed bumps, emergency lighting, step markers) can help prevent injuries and possibly help in defense of any injury lawsuits.