Jewelers’ Security Alliance and Jewelers Mutual are urgently warning the public of the increasing crime rate in the industry. All jewelry store owners should keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and urgently report crime cases to authorities.
The rate at which the US jewelry stores are being robbed is unprecedented. Scott Guginsky, the Vice President of JSA, hasn’t seen anything like that in 30 years on the job. And although Jewelry Mutual and other insurance and security companies are doing all they can, the owners themselves should be the ones responsible for the precautions.
If you own a jewelry store, it’s high time to check whether your alert systems are working properly. Installing new surveillance equipment is a good idea too, especially if your cameras are a little outdated. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to law enforcement agencies and local security companies for any help in protecting your premises.
The criminal groups operate in an organized manner and like to change locations to take the store owners by surprise. They break in during the night and use hours of operation for casing, likely dressing up as regular customers. Their stores of choice are commonly located near deserted buildings or other regions with low nocturnal activity. The burglars like to get in through the ceiling or walls of adjacent offices and very rarely use the doors and windows.
The actual identity of the robbers remains a mystery, though some facts suggest that there are several organized groups from Southern Africa at play. Either way, even the stores located in malls with decent security measures in place should be on high alert. The burglars have a whole arsenal of tools to break into vaults and have already stolen several millions of dollars worth of jewelry pieces.
Although at times the world seems too chaotic, we suggest you take a deep breath and take some protective measures at your store. There are actionable ways in which you can prevent crime, and preventing it is always easier than facing repercussions. Even though criminals are becoming more creative in their craft, no one is limiting your creativity in the ways you can mess up their plans. We wish you to stay safe even in the middle of chaos and continue bringing your customers joy with wonderful jewelry pieces.
