Four Ways You Can Secure Your Business

April 27th, 2023



Times have been both tough and uncertain for businesses here in Chico, CA, and throughout the USA. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many companies to close up shop temporarily until the virus has been contained, and normal business activities can resume. 

Now, however, with protests and looting in some parts of the country, even businesses here in Chico, CA, are feeling nervous about protecting their investment. Here are four ways that you can ensure your store remains safe, even with the threat of looting and riots.

Install Shutters

It may not be high tech, but for buildings that allow it, one of the best defenses against theft, when a retail outlet is closed, are pull-down shutters. These metal barriers may feel light and thin, but they are designed both to block a location’s windows so that what’s inside can’t be seen, as well as resist most forms of conventional attempts to take them down.

It takes a lot of force to remove shutters that are set in place and forces potential thieves to expend more time and effort that they may not have. Anything that makes a thief’s job more difficult encourages them to move to an easier target.

Remove All Stock

This is something that some retail outlets may have done as a COVID-19 precaution, but it also bears out in a riot/looting situation. While physical property may be damaged, your stock can’t be stolen if it was never there, to begin with. 

If you live in an area where COVID-19 re-openings were being phased in, you may want to reconsider restocking your business. If there are any concerns about protests and gatherings getting out of control and turning into rioting and looting, delay your reopening plans and don’t stock your store just yet.

Get Security Cameras

In the best-case scenarios, security cameras can be active deterrents that discourage people from committing crimes on your property. Being able to capture shoplifting, for example, on camera, is incredibly discouraging to casual thieves.

In the event, however, that theft occurs anyway, a good security camera can provide a quality, detailed image of the suspect or suspects to the police. These can be useful in investigations, leading to arrests and even convictions in court, since the footage can often be submitted as evidence by the prosecution.

Get An Alarm System

Finally, an alarm system makes sense for both homes and businesses. When properly installed, an alarm notifies you, thieves, and security or law enforcement of a crime in progress. For thieves, this severely limits how much time they can spend on the property since a security response is incoming.

For places that don’t have alarms, once they are invaded, especially if no one is aware of the intrusion, thieves can take as much time as they need to evaluate high-value items. An alarm ensures that any intrusion is a short-lived one of just minutes, not hours.

If you’d like to have better security for your home or business in Chico, CA, we can help. Contact us, and we can assess your property and find more ways to make it safer and more secure.

What Our Customers Say

"I had the Alibi system installed several years ago. It has functioned flawlessly. The image quality is exellent both night and day and in all weather conditions. I particularly like the replay (which can be set at various speeds) and zoom functions of the system. Tech support from Crimefreeliving has been excellent. I have received quick responses to questions, and timely home visits — as when I changed IP carriers and my Alibi system needed to be reset. I have recommended Crimefreeliving to several friends."

Rich

"As a small business owner here in Chico we definitely saw the need for video surveillance. After expressing our needs and concerns Tim did an excellent job getting us set up with the set up with the appropriate equipment. He really took the time to address our concerns in a very friendly, professional and knowledgeable manner. I highly recommend Tim for all of your business and residential video surveillance needs."

Ron H., Owner/Auto Doctor

"I have to say I love having my security cameras at my home. Tim Truby did a wonderful job of installing the five cameras. He is very neat and cleaned everything up after the installation. He explained to me how to operate the monitor, my phone and IPad. However, I have had to call Tim because I'm not tech savvy and forget what he has told me. He usually just helps me over the phone and then all is well. I'm 80 years old and enjoy the comfort of knowing I have these security cameras."

Gloria

"Tim Truby designed and installed a 32 camera system for us here at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. We had received several other quotes from security system vendors, but Tim’s quote was the least expensive. Tim also installed the system quickly and has always been available when we needed him. We are very happy with our security camera system and we can highly recommend Tim Truby for all of your surveillance system needs."

D. Weseman, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Crime Free Living updated our old video system with a new 16 Channel HD Alibi Video Security System. The old system had been added onto by different installers which resulted in a cabling mess. There were cables that worked and cables that went nowhere. It was a mess. Tim sorted it all out and installed cameras that are very clear. He also installed a monitor for our cashiers to watch hidden areas, a monitor to watch the entry door, and a monitor that allows employees to watch the outside parking and gas pump area. All work was done on time and very professional! Will always recommend Tim and Crime Free Living.

S. AM PM Chico Arco Station

"I had Tim install an Alibi Video Security System at my residence and a couple business locations. The remote view option is invaluable to absentee owners or anyone who travels a lot. The clarity and quality of the cameras have allowed for viewing employee theft. The evidence provided from the HD video cameras was fantastic! Tim was professional and provided extra value from his law enforcement background."

J. Folsom Arco Station

"Tim, I want to thank you again for doing such a fantastic job on installing a wireless IP security camera system at our dream home. The extra time that you took to hide wires, and install a clean, professional system is much appreciated. I still can’t believe the clarity, quality, and ease of use of this new system. I wished that I would have met you before our original inferior system was installed by another company. Now, whether I am at home, or monitoring the system from around the world, I know that my home and family are safe and sound."

John M.

"In April of 2017, my husband and I made a phone call to Crime Free Living that turned out to be a smart and wise decision. Amazingly, in just a few hours, Tim installed four Dome Security Cameras, weatherproof enclosures, and hooked up into our home a 23" Full HD Widescreen Security Monitor. Even more than his professional expertise was the time spent with us in making sure that this system was working correctly and properly installed on our phones so that anywhere in our travels we can monitor our new home in Magalia."

Tieka and Don S.

"I have been using Crime Free Living for the last couple years ar work and at home and I really recommend this product. Tim is a very good service provider. If he can't figure it out, he's got good tech support with the system that he offers."

Gary D.

"I have known Tim for over 10 years. To date, Time with Crime Free Living has installed two separate surveillance systems for my company. With each system, Tim has listened to my needs and custom dsigned surveillance systems for my specific needs and within my budget. The equipment used is always state of the art, the workmanship is top notch, and Tim is the example of trustworthy. I would recommend him for any job."

Steve D., Down Range Indoor Training Center

images Certifications & Training

With 16 years of experience in law enforcement, Tim Truby, CEO, is fully certified in video surveillance and training.

  • Certified Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Academy Instructor Certification
  • California POST Certification in Specialized Surveillance Equipment
  • California POST Certification in Basic Crime Prevention
    • Advanced Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
    • Certified Alibi Security Dealer
    • Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment (FEMA)
    • Incident Command System (100 & 200)
    • Certified Cognitech Video Forensic Investigator
    • Neighborhood Watch Toolkit Trainer
    • Computer Crimes/Investigations
    • Domestic Crisis for Crisis Negotiators
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