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Security

Your Building’s Concierge Is An Essential Piece Of The Security Team

Over a million property crime cases have occurred across the United States in a year. So, obviously, building security remains an essential part of any property. For buildings with a front-desk, the concierge plays a critical role in the security team.

What Does a Building Concierge Do?

The concierge is the first point of contact and often takes on front-line visitor and employee management. They perform tasks such as greeting people, answering the phone, and overseeing common areas, though their job is more than that. They also coordinate with building staff to track facility access, as well as the security systems of the entrances.

VP of Security Services for BlueChip Pros, Jeff Martin, explains where he sees the concierge fits in,

“Because they act as the main stopping point in your business area, concierges need to have the authority to respond to people who try to enter the building when they should not. While they may not be security guards in the traditional sense, the concierge should still serve to increase the security of everyone in the business.”

Why Is Building Security So Important?

Security is vital for a business to maintain the safety of its staff. As such, common tasks for the concierge team might include:

  • Protecting the building and its employees
  • Ensuring the facility complies with security standards
  • Preventing crime from occurring on the premises with regular

The concierge is best placed to handle many of these due to their placement at the entrance to the building. They also interact with everyone who enters, giving them a direct line of sight to evaluate potential problems earlier.

The Benefits of a Security-Trained Concierge

A concierge with professional training in security protocols can help you keep crime out of your building. Such training can familiarize someone with building security systems and how best to use them. This means they have a much higher chance of using them effectively when needed.

Jeff Martin expands on that thought:

“If your concierge has security training they will be able to respond quickly to any issue. Then, if they need to communicate with other security, they can do so concisely and professionally because they speak the same language. It ensures that you can receive help from not only your security guards, but the whole building community.”

Improve Your Building Security

You probably now have a better idea of having a concierge with experience in security can help with your overall building security. If you are still unsure, it might be time to talk to a professional. Jeff Martin and BlueChip Pros are professionals who can help you maintain the ongoing safety of your facilities. Contact them today to discuss your security needs.

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Pro Tips, Security

BlueChip Pros Traffic Services Keep Pedestrians and Vehicles Safe During Utility Work

Much of today’s transportation safety system is automated and controlled via light cycles, schedules, and driving patterns. However, there are situations where there is no substitute for human intervention. When utility companies need to shut down roadways, it often catches drivers and pedestrians by surprise. Having traffic management and flaggers in place alleviates confusion and stress on commuters and keeps the utility company employees safe.

Jeff Martin, VP of Traffic and Security Services at BlueChip Pros, expands on that thought,

“Traffic is not always predictable, especially in a construction zone. Accidents can happen, so it’s important to have a team on-site to minimize the danger from traffic. Clarity from traffic flaggers goes a long way.”

How do traffic flaggers help?

Maintain Flow of Traffic

Flagging services help reduce traffic accidents by maintaining traffic flow. The team plans out the best possible route for safety while still keeping traffic moving at an acceptable pace. Once the route is planned, they provide directions that explicitly show drivers how to navigate through the construction site.

Flaggers are trained to understand safety protocols and keep safety first. Having flaggers on-site helps direct drivers’ attention, curtail dangerous driving, and get traffic moving as it should.

Increased Safety Measures 

In dangerous areas or situations traffic flow is even more critical. Downed power lines, damaged roadways, utility equipment, and the workers all carry their own hazards. Traffic flaggers are specially trained and equipped to handle these types of situations. The flaggers handle the ancillary safety issues around traffic so that the utility or municipality workers can safely fix the problem. This promotes a safe, smooth, and successful project.

Achieve Compliance 

Hiring certified traffic control flaggers helps ensure you meet local and federal compliance. These traffic control flaggers are trained for many different emergency situations and must receive ongoing training to maintain certification. With trained professionals, you can expect them to perform their duties safely and diligently at all times.

Jeff Martin explains the training his flaggers receive,

“BlueChip Pros ensures you have the most qualified professionals working to work on your projects by following strict training guidelines. All of our professionals are required to have the highest level of training to meet the BlueChip standards for safety, compliance, and conscientiousness. Our training regimine includes classes on traffic flow, pedestrian and bicycle management, driver interaction, specialty equipment use, emergency response, and much more. The team is re-trained and re-certified every year.”

Excellent Service and Communication

Professional flaggers understand what an important role they play in traffic safety. They know politeness and punctuality are part of the job, too. You trust them to provide important services and protect the public, so they should be well-prepared to handle those situations. This is a big responsibility and one they take seriously.

When you work with a company that provides quality flagging services, you should expect excellent customer service and open communication. They should discuss your project with you, explain what services they can offer, and answer any questions you may have.

Hire the Best Traffic Control Flaggers

Traffic control flaggers have an essential job and perform many functions. Their training and experience help make difficult traffic spots safer for everyone involved. From local roads to highways, you can create the safest work zones on long-term or short-term projects by hiring traffic control and flagging services professionals.

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Pro Tips, Security

4 Business Security Tips You Need to Know

Crime rates have surged in the past few years—and businesses are paying the price. A break-in can be devastating for any business. You might lose assets you have to replace and can spend days repairing the damage, adding to the loss of revenue.

Business security might seem to you like an unnecessary cost. However, it pays for itself when you factor in all the disadvantages of a crime happening to your business.

But security isn’t easy to optimize. If you want to keep yourself safe, you’ll need to think about how you go about your security. This article will walk you through some of the top business security tips out there.

1. Hire a Guard

Hiring a guard is the most obvious way to upgrade your business’s security. Doing so increases the visibility of your company’s security. Criminals don’t pick a business at random—they case out multiple businesses and choose which ones they want to break into based on which they’re most likely to succeed at.

A guard doesn’t just provide the safety of protecting your property—it shows criminals that you take security seriously. Even if you don’t take other security measures, the criminals will assume you do because of the guard.

The guard, obviously, can stop crimes while they’re happening. They can confront would-be criminals and subdue people if need be.

If a crime does happen on their watch, they are also trained for dealing with the fall-out. They can call the police, and redirect customers, while your other employees focus on keeping the business running. After the excitement has died down they will help you make a plan to stop it from happening again.

You can also have them cover more mundane security tasks, like locking up and making sure your locks are doing well.

2. Install Cameras

Cameras are another great way to increase your company’s security profile. Even if you can’t afford to always keep a guard around, criminals will become very uncomfortable with the idea of being watched, and will likely not choose your business.

Cameras are a great way to get information of criminals, making it more likely for you to be able to catch them, apprehend them, and gain some compensation for their crimes.

A big advantage of cameras is that they can catch your employees committing crimes. They might be able to steal from the register behind the security guard’s back, but the eye in the sky sees all.

This will also keep your employees working as hard as possible, knowing that you could be checking in on their commitment.

3. Consider Mundane Security

Things like security guards and alarm systems are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of security—and hopefully, we’ve convinced you to consider them.

But often, some of the most important security tips you can take to keep your business safe are simple and mundane.

You definitely have locks on your doors—but are they up to date? Make sure your locks haven’t worn down—making them easy to break. Make sure you lock up every single night as well.

On the topic of locks—make sure you limit the number of keys to your business you have. Make sure that only essential and trustworthy employees have access to your keys.

If you’re just opening a new business, make sure you change the locks. The old occupant of your building might still have access to your building.

Take the money out of your cash register, and either take it with you or keep it in a safe with highly selective access when it comes to your employees. Leave the cash register open at night with no money in it to signal to criminals that they won’t find anything.

Something as simple as waste can also cost you seriously regarding security. Make sure you regularly shred important documents so that no one has access to sensitive information. Be careful what you throw out in trash cans that the public can access.

security business can help you with these things as well.

4. Consider Cybersecurity

Did you know that cybercrime cost over a trillion dollars in 2022? Cybercriminals are getting smarter than ever, and cybersecurity can no longer be something added that you should care about—it has to be one of your main concerns.

A large part of cybersecurity is making sure you and your employees understand the threat. Low internet literacy is one of the biggest causes of cybersecurity break-ins. Common attacks—like phishing attacks—only work if you let the cybercriminal in.

A good cybersecurity company won’t just use technology like firewalls; they’ll hold seminars to teach your business about the newest threats in the cybersecurity world.

They’ll also be able to respond quickly to any breaches and break-ins that might happen to you, saving your IT team time and effort that they can devote to other parts of your business.

Understand Business Security

As you can see, there are many things you can do to improve business security. Security services extend beyond stopping crimes from happening and apprehending criminals.

Make sure that you consider the above options if you want to keep your business as safe as possible.

For more information on business security, contact us today.

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Pro Tips, Security

Get Your Security Prepared for the Retail Holiday Rush

About 54% of business owners report more theft than usual around the holidays. If you’re looking to safeguard your business this season, investing in enhanced business security measures is a good choice.

Here, we’re going to talk about theft prevention strategies for small and large retail businesses alike. Read on to learn how you can protect your inventory and your reputation.

Safeguard Your Inventory

Many stores sell expensive items like electronic devices, jewelry, and household appliances. A single instance of retail theft could cost you thousands if this describes your business.

That’s why it’s important that you lock up your most expensive inventory. A padlock and some thick plastic will make it more difficult for shoplifters to access expensive items and can pre-emptively combat theft.

Set Up Cameras Around Your Shop

Cameras can act as a deterrent for those who would consider shoplifting from your store this holiday season. When criminals see cameras around inventory that they’re looking to snatch, they’ll think twice before trying to steal it. After all, no one wants their face associated with shoplifting.

If someone does manage to steal something, cameras can show you exactly who did it. You can show these videos to the police as evidence of the theft. It will be much easier to get justice.

Test All Security Equipment

Both cameras and electronically-locked gates that safeguard inventory require testing. You need to make sure that they actually work or they’ll be ineffective. Ask professionals how you can test your technology to ensure that it’s all set up and ready to go.

At this point, you also should have someone check all the cameras for obstructions. Many shop owners accidentally place holiday decorations and shelving in front of cameras, rendering them useless. Test the footage so this doesn’t happen to you.

Perform Background Checks on Seasonal Employees

Holiday retail comes with seasonal employee hire, which means that you’ll be giving new people access to inventory.

Make sure that you perform thorough background checks on new hires. Someone with a criminal history may apply for a job so that they can steal merchandise via authorized access. You can use online professional background check tools to ensure that you’re only hiring trustworthy employees.

Invest in Security Patrols

Studies show that only 44% of thieves are deterred by security cameras. However, the vast majority will think twice about stealing if an employee or security guard is physically present.

Make sure that you hire security guards to patrol your store during the holiday rush. Parking lot patrols are also a good idea so that someone can catch thieves that run outside with merchandise.

Enhance Your Holiday Business Security

While the holidays can be a time of great profit, they also invite more theft than other times of the year.

Now that you know how to promote your business security and safeguard your inventory, it’s time to take professional loss prevention measures. Contact BlueChip to learn more about the ways that we can help you protect your retail property today.

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Pro Tips, Security

4 Ways Managing Your Own Security Guards is Costing You

In many cases, it may seem logical to hire in-house security guards to keep your building, property, employees, assets, and customers safe. Many believe that keeping your security services in-house is a cost savings solution. In reality, outsourcing your security guard protection to a reputable and experienced security services company is usually a more affordable, effective, and time-saving choice for businesses. Let’s take a look at four (4) of the ways self-managing your security team is costing you and why you will want to make the switch and outsource your security needs.

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Pro Tips, Security

4 Areas to Target in a Yearly Building Security Assessment

Security in the United States is worth more than $46 billion right now. This is due in large part to how critical this facet of business is for people and companies all over. Learning to take care of your company’s security will protect the people that you work with and do business with, in addition to any inventory that changes hands within your company. 

Getting regular facility assessments for your property will help you look after the most common security issues that businesses deal with every day. To help focus on the points that matter the most we created a complimentary security checklist to guide you through the assessment process. Here are some tips that will be useful when you’re following the checklist.

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Pro Tips, Security

Staying Safe and Secure in Retail

Did you know more than $13 million worth of goods are stolen from retailers every year?

First, let’s state the obvious – Shoplifters are bad for retail stores, and not just because of stolen inventory and lost profits but they also pose a safety threat to your customers and staff members.

This is one of the many reasons why retail stores, department stores, and malls need to find ways to boost security, especially during the holiday months.

Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take to protect the people in your retail space as well as products in inventory.

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