FBI REPORTS REVEALS THAT A PROPERTY CRIME IS COMMITTED EVERY 3 SECONDS AND THAT TOTAL ANNUAL BUSINESS CRIME COSTS OVER $44 BILLION. BY ADOPTING SECURITY PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS, BUSINESSES CAN NOT ONLY PREVENT CRIMES BUT CAN ALSO REDUCE THEIR INSURANCE COSTS. A SECURE ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPED IN COOPERATION WITH PROFESSIONAL DESIGNERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, CAN STILL BE ATTRACTIVE TO CUSTOMERS. BASIC CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES INVOLVE THE INSTALLATION OF ADEQUATE LOCKS, LIGHTS, AND DISPLAYS, TAILORED TO SPECIFIC NEEDS. MAJOR CAUSES OF BUSINESS LOSSES ARE EMPLOYEE THEFT, CHECK FRAUD, AND BURGLARY. IF A CRIME IS WITNESSED, A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE SUSPECT, AND THE METHOD OF ESCAPE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE POLICE. MOREOVER, BACKGROUND CHECKS OF EMPLOYEES AND INSPECTION OF BAGS AND BOXES WILL PREVENT MANY CRIMES. COMPUTER FRAUD DETECTION AND DETERRENCE REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF SKILLED AUDITORS AND CONSULTANTS. AN ADEQUATE SECURITY ANALYSIS EXAMINES THE INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEM AT THE PERIMETER, THE QUALITY OF GUARDS AND SENSORS IN IMPORTANT AREAS, AND APPROPRIATE ALARMS. TO DECREASE THE TRIGGERING OF FALSE ALARMS, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM. USE OF PROFESSIONAL, BONDED GUARDS MAY BE VERY PRACTICAL IN AREAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. FIRE CODES MANY REQUIRE THAT LOCKED DOORS BE EASILY OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD PROSECUTE ALL PERSONS WHO COMMIT BUSINESS CRIMES, EVEN EMPLOYEES. (TWK)