1. Financial
a. Cash Handling. At the beginning of the day, we recommend starting with $200.00 in each cash register drawer. Periodically, as the day progresses, drawers should be purged and the proceeds from sales should be placed in the safe. Accumulated cash must be regularly transferred to your store safe or your bank so theft from your register can be minimized.
b. Disable POS Terminal. It is recommended that whenever an employee leaves the POS terminal it should be disabled to prevent the theft of the cash inside.
(1) The POS terminal may be disabled by logging off of the software application.
c. Bill Placement in Register. $1, $5, $10, and $29 bills should be placed in the cash drawer facing the same direction. Larger bills ($50s or bigger) should be placed under the drawer. Leave smaller denominations closest to public reach.
d. Timely Deposits. It is important that deposits are made daily.
(1) To minimize loss in the event of a burglary or robbery there should not be more than one day’s sales in the store’s safe.
(2) On weekends and at night, when the bank is closed, deposits should be made at the bank’s drop box.
(3) Be aware of “runner stickups” or “snatch and run” larcenies in your area. If there is a probability that your bank runner could fall prey, someone should accompany him or her to the bank.
(4) The bank bag should never be seen on the person of the runner. It should, instead, be carried under a coat or jacket, or in a shopping bag, etc.
(5) So as not to establish a discernable pattern, which might make your bank runner the target of a robbery, try to vary the times that deposits are made.
e. Safe. Be very careful when purchasing the store safe. Safes purchased from many discount department stores offer fire protection but may not withstand a burglary. It may be worth the extra expense of consulting a professional locksmith.
(1) We recommend using only an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) burglary rated safe.
(a) The typical burglar will attempt to open a safe by knocking the dial wheel off of the door, driving the dial shaft through the back of the lock and turning the tumbler mechanism with a screwdriver. A burglary rated safe has a spring loaded secondary relocking pin that falls into a slot in the mechanism that then retracts the door locking bolts in the event that someone tries to circumvent the safe in this manner.
(2) You should use your discretion in deciding whether to keep and use a safe in your store.
(3) If your safe is a regular floor safe (the typical box type that sits on the floor), have it anchored to the floor to prevent theft of the entire safe.
(4) Some safes are equipped with a deposit slot in the door or a rotary hopper at the top for depositing money into the safe when the door is locked. If your safe does not have a drop slot or hopper and employees must have access to the safe, asafe with a “Day Lock” should be obtained.
(a) Day Lock. Typically, the process of unlocking the safe in the morning automatically sets the mechanism to “Day Lock.” This provision allows access to the safe during Day Lock hours without completing the entire combination sequence.
(5) Only the manager and assistant manager should have the combination to the safe. The combination should be changed every time there is a change in personnel who have access to the safe.
f. Security Systems. Savi Solutions is the security camera system that is mandatory at all Street Corner locations. Savi will provide around-the-clock camera footage, which can be viewed through a mobile app, desktop, or laptop. This system incorporates with the POS to detect, flag, and notify when certain transactions occur. The dates and times of these transactions are turned into clips for easy viewing. Training on how to use SAVI will be provided. An alarm system is recommended depending on the format of your store. An alarm system may be mandated by the landlord of the establishment.
(1) Our SAVI Solutions team will assist with camera placement and hardware requirements. You will follow their guidance and reccomendations.
(2) Adhere to the security policies and mandates set forth by the establishment where your store operates.
(3) Have emergency phone numbers available and within sight of the POS terminals, back office, and break room. These numbers should include the establishment’s security office, local police department, local fire department, supervisors, managers, franchisee, and the franchise headquarters.
g. Quick Change Artist. There are people who will use fast-talking or fast-moving techniques to confuse the employee into giving back more change than they are entitled to. This can be minimized by not giving change to those other than customers who are making a purchase at that moment. All employees should act in a careful and deliberate manner when handling money. A quick change artist may buy a low cost item, pay with a large bill, and subsequently ask for change numerous times during the transaction.
h. Counterfeit Currency. It is important to train your employees in the different techniques used for detecting counterfeit money. There are many different methods for determining the authenticity of money, which can be reviewed on the Federal Reserve website. The success of the technique depends upon the sophistication of the production of the bills.
Counterfeit currency grade paper and magnetic ink are now being imported from outside the United States and are being used to print $50s and $100s. These counterfeit bills are capable of escaping detection by even the more sophisticated devices, so beware. If you have any doubt about the bill, don’t accept it.
(1) Stripe. If the bill is $10 or larger hold it up to a light with the president side facing you. If the bill is real you will see a stripe running vertically along the left side of the bill.
(a) The addition of this stripe is a recent development in U.S. currency. Older bills will not have the stripe.
(2) Fibers. A real bill of any denomination will have tiny red and blue colored fibers woven into the paper.
(3) Rub. Rub the suspect bill across a piece of white paper or with a pencil eraser. If the ink rubs off, the bill is counterfeit.
(4) Pen. An inexpensive device, a counterfeit pen will not leave markings when rubbed on real currency.
(5) Ultra-Violet (UV) Lamp. This counterfeit detection device has a small fluorescent bulb that emits short wave ultraviolet light. Authentic currency reflects a dull blue light, while regular paper will glow a bright light blue.
(6) Magnetic Imaging. These devices are designed to read the magnetic ink used in the serial number, the series seal and “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” printings on the bill.
i. Personal Checks. Personal checks are not recommended unless you have purchased a verification service. Your credit card provider will likely offer this service for an additional fee.
2. Personnel
a. Security and Police Phone Numbers. Have emergency phone numbers available and within sight of the POS terminals, back office, and break room. These numbers should include the establishment’s security office, local police department, local fire department, supervisors, managers, franchisee, and the franchise headquarters. If the police department provides stickers showing their emergency phone numbers, attach it the store’s hard line phone if it has one. Additionally, if you have phones with memory dialing (one button dialing), program those numbers into the phone and inform your staff on these calling features.
b. Restroom Breaks. In the event that only one employee is working and they need to use the restroom, it is advised that a building security officer be called to watch the store. This is to avoid giving the appearance that the store is closed or unprotected.
In the event an officer is not available, the employee should close and lock the door/gate. A familiar person may also be trusted to watch the store temporarily, but the register should be disabled.
d. Robberies. In the event that a robbery should take place, employees and franchisees should not put their lives or the lives of customers in danger by attempting to be heroic.
(1) The sooner the perpetrator is out of the store; the lesser chance there is of someone getting hurt. The best way to achieve this result is to stay calm and give up the money.
(2) Take particular note of the person’s height, hair color, scars or tattoos, clothes and any oddities, which the perpetrator might display. Concentrate on the person’s face just in case you have to identify him or her in a lineup or in court.
(3) After the incident is over, call the police and write down your observations of the person’s description to better aid the police.
e. Riots. In extreme cases, riots or other public disturbances may occur within your building or area. It is in the best interest of the store and any customers within to close and lock your store door or security gate to prevent theft from your store and injury to its occupants.
f. Shoplifters. Only confront shoplifters that have been actually seen committing the act. If possible, try to contact security or police so that an officer can be present when you confront the person. If it is felt that you or your customers may come into danger, wait until the person has left the store and contact building security or police. It is your choice as owner to prosecute a shoplifter or not.
The best way to prevent shoplifting is to make the prospective shoplifter feel uncomfortable.
(1) Visual Contact. If a person feels that they are being watched, that person will probably leave the store without stealing anything.
(2) Mirrors. Convex security mirrors strategically placed will allow an employee behind the counter to view areas normally considered to be “blind spots” and will make a potential shoplifter feel that they are being watched.
(3) Video Cameras. See “f. Security Systems” above.
(4) False Video Systems. False video systems, i.e. “dummy” cameras, are not authorized by Street Corner. You will need to use SAVI Solutions and will not need a false video system.
(5) Peephole. It is recommended that a wide angle peephole door viewer be installed on any exterior door so personnel exiting through the door can first see if someone is standing on the other side of the door before it is opened, thus possibly avoiding a confrontation.
(6) Lock All Exterior Doors. All exterior doors not intended for for public use must be kept locked at all times. An excellent way to achieve this is to install hydraulic door closers on those doors, as well as locks which allow free egress without actually unsecuring the outside lock, (i.e.: panic bars, etc).