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The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) is a non-profit trade association with 20,000 members providing crime prevention information and services to the jewelry industry since 1883. One way JSA informs jewelers is though their weekly email Crime Alerts. The JSA recently reminded jewelers of their recommendations for security measures when carrying jewelry off premises.
These recommendations apply not only to traveling salespersons, but also to retailers when delivering merchandise, going to special events or jewelers at trade shows.
- Never resist in a robbery, and never chase after the robbers. These criminals will not hesitate to use deadly force.
- JSA stresses “jewelers do not get flat tires.” (thieves are commonly known to puncture tires so victims are forced to pull over, making them an easier target)
- Most insurance companies do not pay claims on unattended jewelry left in vehicles.
- Salespersons must take evasive driving action after every sales call, and before returning to their hotel, home or office. Evasive driving tactics include driving very slowly, driving around the block, making U-turns or pulling into a bank or fast-food parking lot. Are one or more cars following you? Be aware that gangs may be using multiple vehicles.
- Vary your route and time when traveling between home and your jewelry business. Check occasionally to see if you are being followed.
- As you drive to a retail location or your home, scout the area. Park as close to the main entrance to your destination as possible. Do not enter or exit by a rear or secluded entrance. Do not remain seated in your parked car for any length of time before or after sales calls.
- Do not fall for distractions. If someone approaches you for change or directions, consider yourself a crime target and move on swiftly.
- Do not leave jewelry merchandise in an unattended vehicle.
- If you are being followed, call 911 and say I am about to be the victim of a robbery. If possible, make your call obvious to the suspicious persons. When criminals see you using your cell phone after you have spotted them, they are less likely to pursue.
- If you experience trouble with your car trunk lock, door lock or ignition key, or have a flat tire, radiator trouble or are bumped by another car, consider yourself a crime target. Immediately get yourself to a place of safety.
- Jewelers should not take valuable jewelry merchandise to their homes.
- Even if you are not carrying jewelry merchandise, if you are visiting jewelry premises and are carrying a bag of any sort, you are a target.
- Keep your travel plans confidential, including flights, departure and arrival times, hotels, rental cars and locations to be visited.
- Do not gas up prior to returning a rental car. Either purchase through the rental car company beforehand, or simply return the car. It is important to limit your exposure to risk as much as possible, whether at rental car companies, restaurants, hotels, parking lots and elsewhere.
- When you are entering a hotel lobby to check in, be particularly careful you are not being followed.
For more information about the Jewelers’ Security Alliance or crime data, trends and prevention information, call JSA at 800-537-0067, email jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or visit jewelerssecurity.org.
