Home > Case Studies > Make the Crime Seem Riskier > Passers-By

Help Passers-By See In

Never underestimate what nosey people can do to protect your business from crime.  People just walking by, neighbors, delivery people and other business people can help you, but you have to give them a chance.

Areas in your business should be visible to those nearby, even when you're closed. Increasing visibility is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to prevent crime in and around your business. See our list of resources.
Drawing of burglar in a spotlight.Making your business visible to passers-by also makes offenders think twice. If they can easily see in your windows while they are "casing the joint," most of them will realize other people can see in easily as well. Offenders don't like to be put on display for all the world to see.

A drawing of a very large shrub!Beware of out-of-control shrubs! If you don't keep your plants trimmed, they can grow really big and block windows and other "lines-of-sight" around your business. Big, bushy plants also provide places for people to hide.

But sometimes big plants can be good. Read about this in our section on graffiti prevention.
Lights make it a lot easier for folks to see what is going on at your business at night. Should you install lights that you keep on after your business is closed? Read about it in our special topic on lights.
Putting signs in the window can be good advertising -- click here to learn how NOT to advertise your store to robbers.
If you have fences around your business, make sure they don't block people's view. For increased visibility, chain link is a good option.

Click here for a fence success story!

Click here to go to the SITEMAP. This photo of the Newark skyline is courtesy of www.gonewark.com.