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Recession Woes: What People Steal

With the economy tanking, security pros see a spike in old-time thievery. And what do people steal in recessionary times? Cash, clothes, cigarettes, copper - pretty much everything. (Part three in a series: How to Manage Security in a Recession)

By Bill Brenner, Senior Editor

To minimize that problem and others, including the risk of terrorism, PSE&G has deployed TAC's Andover Continuum system, which provides native HVAC control, access card control and digital video surveillance.

The incidents at PSE&G are similar to those suffered by Michigan utility DTE Energy. In May, DTE CSO Michael Lynch said the rate of copper theft has accelerated in the past year.

Fighting back
Whether the problem is metal theft or retail shoplifting, security experts offer the same advice: Companies should have a layered security program that mixes employee awareness and training with technology, in this case the cameras.

Above all, companies should resist the temptation to cut security staff when profits slip.

"Many businesses decide to cut back on security when times get tough, and realistically this should be a time where adequate or even increased security makes more sense," says Roger H. Schmedlen, a Michigan-based consultant specializing in physical security and loss prevention.

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