Businesses urged to maintain high level of security for Carnival season

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS the nation prepares for the fast-approaching Christmas/Carnival season, business owners are being advised to ‘beef up’ security measures to deter theft and robbery during one of the most financially lucrative times of year for stores and service providers.

Yesterday (Nov. 24), Public Relations Officer in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), Constable Ervin Williams told SKNVibes that during the Christmas and Carnival season all businesses should expect heavy customer traffic especially on the days leading up to Christmas Day as customers round out their seasonal shopping. 

He added that business owners and staff should be increasingly vigilant to reduce the possibility of being the targets of theft or robbery since criminals tend to use this season to reap the rewards of hard-working, civic-minded citizens.

“Throughout the year, many businesses may have some form of security system in place; however those systems should be augmented in order to accommodate the much larger crowds not normally seen during the year. Proper and adequate safety and security measures are a must at this time of year,” the police officer advised.

“We would like to have the businesses make very quick transfers of money and avoid allowing funds to build up on-hand. Business owners must be very careful because sometimes when things get extremely busy, they may get caught with most of their earnings at one given time and attract criminals who may make attempts to steal. Regular but not routine bank deposits should be made throughout the day and persons making the money drops should never do so unaccompanied.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“Patrons should be asked to leave all their bags in a secured area, monitored by someone in the store, until they finish their shopping. Sometimes when patrons tote around large bags in a crowded store, it allows for easy theft.”

Constable Williams highlighted the importance of installing properly monitored security surveillance cameras and stressed that it is not enough to have them merely as a decoy since surveillance may be used to identify perpetrators. He also urged businesses to keep their main entrances and exits clear and limit loitering around those areas so as to allow better traffic flow and easy monitoring.

Williams underscored the need for businesses to hire -whether temporarily or permanently- security personnel to maintain an environment of safety. He also took the opportunity to wish the members of the business sector and the general public a safe and prosperous Christmas and Carnival season on behalf of the entire Police Force.