Retail facilities pose unique security challenges involving these key considerations:

Surveillance. As retail shopping malls increase in size and complexity, tight security has become more reliant on closed circuit television monitoring of high-risk areas such parking structures, store loading docks and main entries to the mall. The use of a security center and mobile guard teams enable security personnel to response rapidly in an emergency.

Theft Reduction. In most cases, tenants furnish their own security systems based on the value of their merchandise. Normally, these systems are tied into the mall’s security center. Many systems also feature surveillance of employees in cash handling areas as well as customers throughout the store to reduce thefts and shoplifting activities.

Back-of-house Protection. Since much of the re-stocking of mall stores takes place at night, loading docks and storage areas are of prime concern in the development of a security master plan. Not only do they contain valuable merchandise, they also represent access points to the shopping facility’s entire back-of-house operations.

Sako & Associates provides a complete range of security, safety and av/communications consulting services for projects involving retail facilities:

• Audits and Surveys
• Master Plans
• Systems Design
• Workplace Safety
• Emergency Evacuation and Preparedness PLans
• Construction Management
• Systems Commissioning
• Inspection/Testing
• User Training