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| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
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Chamber, FPD help businesses stay crime free By KIMBERLY LONG
The Fulton Police Department will present two Crime Free Business programs that teach local merchants advanced crime prevention techniques. Two separate sessions - sponsored by the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce - will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, and at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Sir Winston's Restaurant and Pub. “This is extremely useful information that business owners can use to protect their business and all your assets,” said Chamber director Nancy Lewis. “It gives owners updates that I'm sure they probably have not considered. “I'm looking forward to it. We need it here too.” Crime Free Business is similar to the Crime Free Housing Program - which FPD has been offering for approximately three years - except the focus is on business owners and managers and helping them establish safer workplace environments. Using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, FPD officials will talk about internal and external modifications that can be made to deter crime - such as door and window locks and surveillance cameras. “This isn't a program where we're trying to tell people how to run their business,” said FPD officer Bill Ludwig. “We're just offering them suggestions and ideas that will make them safer and secure, and even shop shrinkage in inventory.” Ludwig said one of the most significant issues he plans to address is employee background checks - and the significance of having them. “This is something that business owners can do for free on their own within minutes,” he said, noting this information “could help curve internal incidents of theft.” Ludwig said the Crime Free Housing program has been very successful in reducing calls for service and opening lines of communication with property owners and landlords - and the department wants to extend the same philosophy to business owners. “We want them to know that we are very willing to work with them on issues that they may possibly think are too insignificant to call the police,” he continued. “There's also more intensive work that can be done with businesses to help them train their staff. “All business owners have to do is contact us and we will set a time to come out and speak with them and their employees.” Ludwig said the Crime Free Business program is a relatively new cooperative effort between the Oxnard Police Department in California and the St. Louis County Police Department - along with several universities that are tracking it progress and success. He said FPD is the first department to introduce it in central Missouri, based on the Crime Free Housing program. FPD plans to share its results Oxnard officials, he said. “We are very excited to be offering another service to our businesses in the community, and having the chance to work with them in a cooperative effort to reduce crime,” Ludwig said. The cost for the program is $10 and includes the presentation, a meal and materials. Reservations should be made no later than Friday. Call the Chamber at (573) 642-3055 for more information. |
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