The Restaurant Loss Prevention & Security Association (RLPSA) held its first regional conference in Houston, Texas; bringing together community leadership, industry experts and loss prevention practitioners to team with local, state, and federal law enforcement for an event that focused on crime prevention within the greater Houston market. While designed to address issues faced in the quick serve restaurant (QSR) industry, the crime workshop ultimately served as a true crossover event that benefitted all who attended.
The workshop included a session by Hedgie Bartol with Axis Communications, emphasizing the importance of effective camera placement in order to maintain quality digital video surveillance and meet loss prevention and security needs. Camera placement supports efforts to maintain the appropriate light necessary to allow your camera type to capture what you want to see; but also ensures you can use that video in the manner that you intend. Whether covert, overt or infrared, each camera should have a purpose and specific placement to support that purpose.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office discussed their free Secure Watch program—a program that provides law enforcement agencies with real-time access to camera systems when there is a law enforcement need. This collaborative resource offers first responders the opportunity to increase situational awareness prior to arrival while potentially aiding in the apprehension of suspects. Such programs have proven to be highly successful, greatly enhancing law enforcement and protection efforts across the country.
The CAP Index team reviewed current and historical trends in the data for the Houston market and then provided further insights by segregating restaurants and restaurant parking lots for additional analysis. The session included multiple discussions regarding the results and steps taken to validate the findings in order to help determine behaviors that could be contributing to increased risk at quick-serve restaurants and their parking lots.
The RLPSA will be holding similar events in markets across the country, so be on the lookout for how you can get involved and attend a crime workshop in your area. To learn more about the Restaurant Loss Prevention & Security Association or becoming an RLPSA member, please visit www.rlpsa.com.