Even the most modest convenience store operations today should implement security measures that will safeguard their employees, customers and property.
By CSD Staff
All convenience stores located in the City of Houston are required to register online with the Houston Police Department. The intention is to improve data tracking concerning crimes around convenience stores.
Once a convenience store has successfully registered with the city, the store is provided with a security packet that will include an Internet link to security training so that storeowners can provide training to their employees.
Even modest convenience store operations with no ties to local law enforcement agencies are bolstering their security systems to safeguard their operations.
Smithfield, Ill.-based Smith Oil Co., which operates 18 Jiffi Stops convenience stores in Illinois, is an example of a c-tore chain that is invested much capital in security and surveillance equipment and worker training to protect its property, employees and patrons.
Every Jiffi Stop location is equipped with store surveillance. Store inspections are completed to ensure that premises are well lit.
Jeffrey Schoenherr, regional supervisor of Jiffi Stop, oversees six store locations in Pike County area. For its modest size, Schoenherr describes Jiffi Stop’s surveillance system as “sophisticated.”
“All of our stores have a DVR system that we are able to remote in to from the (main) office and view everybody’s surveillance equipment,” Schoenherr said. “I can take my computer home and can view it from my home; I can view it from my cell phone.”
INSIDE AND OUT
To combat regular drive-offs at the gas pump, the Illinois c-store chain, which is family owned and operated, about eight years ago, installed security cameras, which can capture every motorist’s license plate.
In the company’s newest c-store in the city of Springfield, Jiffi Stop has installed its first set of high definition cameras that capture all activity at the fuel pumps.
According to Schoenherr, the technical upgrade of those cameras compared to those installed at legacy locations is vastly different.
“With those you can zoom in and they’re clear as day,” said Schoenherr, who explained the only drawback with HD camera systems is that they require more memory, and thus require bigger receiving equipment that has more memory. Bigger equipment requires more space, which not every store in the Jiffi Stop chain has.
SAY THAT AGAIN
One thing that Jiffi Stop does that not every c-store implements is the installation of security gear at the counter that not only captures video of activity at the registers, but captures sound at the registers. Not only does this provide sound and voice monitoring in the case of robberies, it also captures cashiers’ interaction with customers so management can monitor that activity as well.
Whether it’s high speed-video or common-sense training for employees, many smaller convenience retailers are acting in their best interest when it comes to store security.
