Speedway Merchants Form Business Crime Watch


(posted Nov 9)


After a few recent business burglaries, the Speedway Merchants Association decided to enlist the help of the Speedway Police Department to form a business crime watch. Lt. Jason Dierdorf provided crime prevention tips at the SMA November 8 meeting.

Dierdorf recommended businesses keep the customer service area and the cash register visible from the street. He emphasized that leaving the empty cash drawer open and visible serves as a crime deterrent by showing that there is no money to grab. He strongly recommended that money not be counted in front of customers. Dierdorf indicated that this is an all too common of a mistake with businesses especially during shift change. Other preventative tips were to check restrooms as a potential places for shoplifting and keeping unattended offices doors locked. He also noted that criminals can work the distraction routine that keeps customer service occupied while others sneak around to commit theft.

Another mistake that businesses do is not turning on the surveillance cameras or failing to hit the record button that could have provided physical evidence of the burglary. He said that credit card fraud can go unchecked if employees fail to check for signatures and identification. He also encouraged consumers to be aware of skimming of their credit cards by store employees who are writing down credit card numbers to use later for their own use.

Nancy Back of Lyndhurst Lawnmower said that they were hit with a counterfeit cashiers check, but fortunately their merchandise was recovered.

Dierdorf said that the technology of printers and computers can make a counterfeit check look like the original.

SMA President Susan Luebbert's goal is to create a business network to alert businesses when crime is circulating in the area. Kohl's Lost Prevention agent Jason Martin attended the meeting to help other retailers with crime alert.

Amy Carroll, facilitator of the Speedway Promoters Club, invited Main Street businesses to participate in the December 1 Christmas on Main Street celebration. Santa will be at 4900 W 16th Street from 11am to 1 pm. The activities are free and include decorating cookies with Santa, Santa will also read books to the children.

Jennifer Lyttle of All Affaire Occasion Catering is hosting the event. The idea is to promote the assets of the community and to create Christmas memories of Speedway Main Street. Main Street businesses are encourage to decorate their shops and have an open house to coincide with Santa's Dec 1 presence on Main Street.

From 5 pm to 7pm the public is welcome to join in the Christmas Tree lighting and caroling. The Coke Polar Bear Mascot and Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be there to greet everyone. Children are welcome to bring their Christmas letters to Santa.