Burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and robbery are four of the seven crimes that increased in number of offenses in Chicago from 2007 to 2008, according to figures provided by the Chicago Police Department. The three other crimes that also increased are murder, violent crimes and property crimes.
The numbers are staggering and although 2009 figures are not available, hard economic times coupled with a smaller Chicago police force may contribute to higher retail crime numbers this holiday season. Uniformed retail security officers provide a strong deterrent for retail theft. Here are five reasons why your business should hire a security guard firm to protect your assets:
1-Theft and shoplifting deterred by security officers. There were more than 112,000 burglaries and thefts in Chicago in 2008 and nearly 8,500 were committed in December alone! Visible security officers will prompt criminals to find another location to commit a crime.
2-Uniformed security roaming parking area protects customers and their vehicle. Of the nearly 19,000 motor vehicle thefts reported in Chicago in 2008, about 1,200 of them occurred in December. Retail parking lots are not only great targets for motor vehicle thefts because of the coming and going of customers, but merchandise in the vehicles provide an added incentive for criminals to target your parking lot.
3-Holiday shopping season brings criminals who target shoppers by theft of purses. Though Americans in general have become more aware to keep their belongings close to them while shopping, a uniformed police officer will help create a safer, more relaxed environment for your shoppers to enjoy.
4-Holiday shopping season draws pickpockets, which would be deterred by security presence. Men and women alike are prone to criminals during the holiday season. Pickpockets have mastered the art of removing valuables without a victim noticing until it is too late.
5-Uniformed security officers deter all crime against client and customer and reassures customers of a safe shopping environment. As a society, more and more people are becoming desperate for a quick fix. As the economy continues to slide, crime in unprotected areas has become a popular area for criminals to target.
Below is our source for the statistics in this blog. Before your business becomes next year’s statistics, hire Chicago’s premiere security firm – Intellex Security – for the sake and safety of your customers this holiday season. Contact us by calling (773) 735-6666.
Theft is a major concern for any retailer, whether you’re in the city or not.
We have identified the top four characteristics of shoplifters to look out for in an effort to prevent businesses from being a statistic in what grew to a $9.6 billion shoplifting industry in 2009, according to the National Retail Federation.
1)Professional Shoplifter. These types of people are a severe threat to businesses. These people treat shoplifting as a job. They use planned methods and are well connected with fencing operations and attorneys.
2)Drug users. They are also severe threats to businesses. They seek any way to find a source of income to supply for a very expensive habit, so they turn to shoplifting. Usually fences merchandise for 10-20 percent of value or returns for a refund.
3)Amateur shoplifters. These people are less severe of a threat to businesses. These individuals may not present a severe threat to businesses, but the cumulative effect can be damaging. Statistically, this category is largest in number.
4)Thrill seeker. These individuals provide a moderate threat to business owners. They usually act in a gesture of defiance or as a result of peer pressure to do something daring.
Intellex Security has spent 20 years defining preventative measures in theft and loss prevention. Call us today at (773) 735-6666 to begin your new loss prevention plan.
Business owners who are more efficient with their money and wise with their decisions are succeeding in this economy.
More and more businesses – such as department stores, retail outlets, construction companies and more – are outsourcing security guard services with trusted security guard companies as a way to continue protecting their assets in a more affordable way. In fact, 70 percent of America’s largest companies report that one of their most important concerns is finding and retaining a quality contract security company.
Here are five reasons why outsourcing your security guard need is better than having an in-house service:
1)Lowering your cost. It’s elementary. Five guards from an experienced and trusted security firm, like Intellex Security, will cost less in the big picture than hiring five guards of your own. Much of it has to do with health and liability insurance reasons.
2)An outsourced firm administers the personnel. If a department store, construction company or other business needs a security guard staff, there are administrative duties linked to that responsibility, as well. When you outsource the service, the stresses of hiring and scheduling a staff are relinquished to the firm.
3)Requires no union involvement. A trusted security firm’s staff is highly trained and highly qualified to provide the services needed without having to negotiate internally with unions.
4)Provides staffing flexibility. A strong security guard company, like Intellex, is able to provide services around the clock at the times that are most important to you.
5)Impartially performs security duties. Hiring an outside firm will eliminate any accusations of bias or favoritism. We are hired to do a job and our only concerns are to do the job right and to your liking.
If you are looking for security guard services in Chicago or the collar counties, be sure to contact Intellex Security at (773) 735-6666.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jason Rodriguez
www.JayRodChicago.com
(312) 515-9459
January 25, 2010
CHICAGO | One of Chicago’s most experienced security guard companies has changed its name to Intellex Security.
Formerly Intell Security, Intellex Security will continue to bring more than 90 years of experience in law enforcement and security to retail, trucking and construction companies as well as hotels and conventions.
“Due to a conflict with a company that has a similar name, we decided to avoid confusion with that company,” said Intellex President Joseph Kelly. “The name’s changed, but we still bring more than 90 years of experience in the law enforcement and security field.”
Kelly, along with Patrick Murray, who spent 28 years with the Chicago Police Department having climbed the ranks to detective, started Intell Security, now Intellex, in 1989. Kelly began as a cadet with the Chicago Police Department in 1965 before being assigned as a patrolman. He was promoted to detective in 1970 and eventually became a sergeant in 1976.
By 1978, Kelly became lieutenant. In 1990, Kelly was promoted to Captain before retiring in 1997.
“It kind of went hand-in-hand,” Kelly said of starting the security guard company. “Because of my experience and contacts in the Chicagoland area, we started to provide security guards in an area where it was severely needed.”
Intellex Security has been hired to work such major Chicago events as the Chicago Blues Festival, Celebrate on State Street, the Taste of Chicago, and construction performed for the Chicago Transit Authority and for a variety of conventions. Intellex has also provided security for special events hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and several Fortune 500 companies, including Walgreens, United Airlines and Hilton Worldwide.
“We provide a wide array of services, such as off-duty law enforcement, armed security guards and unarmed security guards,” Kelly said. “We’ve worked with retail companies, trucking companies, on construction sites, hotel security, convention security, travel group security, industrial security and more.”
Kelly said Intellex Security customizes its coverage for each client individually.
“No event is too large or too small for us,” he said. “Our strength is managing people. We know how to put the right people in the right places.”
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Intellex Security, Inc.’s extensive security experience provides its clients with a wide array of services to meet the needs to protect their interests. It serves a diverse clientele that expects superior service with an open line of communication. Intellex Security, Inc. believes that with its combined 90 years of law enforcement experience, it’s well equipped to handle various security situations. It has been in business in the Chicagoland area since 1989 and is conveniently located near Midway Airport. Intellex Security is fully insured with respect to General Liability and Workman’s compensation. Intellex Security, Inc. is properly licensed in the state of Illinois.