As a general manager or owner of a bar, one of the first priorities you have is to keep your clientele, staff, and overall business safe from dangerous situations. Upgrading the security at your establishment should take place every few years to help prevent theft, ensure compliance regulations, and enhance the overall safety of all who enter your doors. Here are four ways you can upgrade your old security systems to make sure your business, staff, and customers remain safe while inside your restaurant or bar.
1. Access Control Systems
Limiting access to certain areas in the bar or restaurant can help reduce the risk of theft or unauthorized use of important areas. Consider installing keycard access or keypad locks for offices, stockrooms, and other areas of your establishment you don’t want daily workers or staff to reach. These security systems allow you as a manager or owner to track who goes into each room at any given time, ensuring accountability which enhances the security in your establishment.
2. Train Staff on Security Protocols
Employees at your restaurant or bar are always the first line of defense when it comes to security. Train your staff on safety and security protocols, including checking identification, responding to emergencies, and handling money. All front-of-house staff at your restaurant or bar should be trained to recognize suspicious and drunken behavior as well as how to de-escalate any conflicts that may arise such as raised voices, potential fights or other dangerous situations.
Creating clear communication procedures among the staff and encouraging teamwork can help improve security measures within any bar or restaurant. As a manager on the floor always speak with staff members about how they are dealing with difficult situations so you can protect your workers and have the right people available if an incident takes place.
3. Improve Lighting and Outside Security
Having lights on the exterior of your building is always a great way to deter any wannabe thieves or looters. Ensure all your entry points, parking lots, and outdoor areas where customers sit are well lit. Installing motion-activated lighting systems are a great way to help keep those dangerous people away. Keep any shrubs or bushes you have on the front of your building cut back to help eliminate any hiding areas for people looking to create a dangerous situation for clientele and especially staff as they are walking to their cars late at night or early in the morning.
Additionally, consider reinforcing your doors, windows and alarms on exit and entrance doors to further protect your business and staff from harmful situations. Being prepared is a key aspect. You never know what might happen. It is always best to be prepared than to ask questions after a situation occurs.
4. Install High-Quality Camera Systems
A reliable surveillance system is a crucial component to any business that receives a lot of foot traffic.
Stew McClintic, owner of HQ98.com, says all businesses with high foot traffic should consider upgrading their video security systems.
“Businesses that have a lot of people coming in the doors and are taking in a lot of money, especially with the weekend crowd, should have a high-quality security system installed,” McClintic said. “The days are gone of those grainy security systems that get recorded on tapes. Many cameras on the market provide high-quality video to scan the entire area of your space without multiple cameras, so it helps cut down on cost for the owner while keeping the restaurant or bar safe from outside or inside security situations.”
As a restaurant owner it may be time to upgrade your camera systems. Consider purchasing more modern cameras that wider areas than traditional cameras. Newer camera security systems are also cloud-based. Meaning you do not need to have a special computer or system to log the data. This helps free up space in your establishment and allows you to always have the data you need on hand whether that is at home as an owner or on hand as a manager.
Upgrading technology at your establishment requires a combination of training and making smart decisions as an owner or general manage. Investing in surveillance systems, access controls, training staff on proper safety and security protocols and providing perimeter security creates a safe environment for all, both customers and staff. Consider looking into new security systems and protocols to keep all who enter your establishment safe and help better secure your business from possible dangerous situations, theft from the outside and from theft within the ranks. Always stay on top of safety and security. It will help create a better work environment and a safer place for all who enter your doors.
Bill Herzog is the CEO of LionHeart Security Services in Tempe, Ariz. Herzog has over three decades of experience in security and law enforcement.