SEATTLE — Officers with the Seattle Police Department say the number of reports of burglaries of local businesses has nearly doubled during the stay-at-home order.
Police said during the last week they received 104 reports of burglaries compared to 54 during the same time last year.
Many businesses have closed during the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Inslee on March 23.
On Thursday, Inslee extended the order through May 4 -- meaning more businesses could be targeted by burglars.
Police gave the following tips to help deter criminals and protect your business:
- Make sure your business’s address and signage are visible from the street
- Post emergency contact information at the front and rear of your business.
- Ensure all doors can be locked with deadbolts.
- Install latch guards no smaller than 11 inches over locks.
- Windows should have secure locks and shatter-resistant glass.
- Consider installing security film on vulnerable windows.
- Remove expensive items from visible store displays.
- Keep your business well-lit inside and out.
- Leave registers open and obviously empty after closing.
- Consider installing cameras and alarm systems.
- Have mail stopped and held at the post office or forwarded to another location.
- Check on your business regularly and work with neighboring business owners to keep an eye on each others’ storefronts.
- For carryout businesses, move tip jars behind customer service counters and add additional signage to let customers know your business accepts tips.
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