Access Control
& Security Systems

The Boston police department has urged businesses to implement better security measures in response to a sharp increase in commercial robberies involving firearms this year. From January to June 2003, 215 commercial robberies were reported in Boston -- an increase of more than 50 percent over the 140 robberies reported during the same period in 2002.

There have been 122 robberies involving firearms, showing an increase of 69 percent over last year. Robberies involving knives have risen from 20 to 38 during the January to June reporting period.

In order to discourage and combat robberies, police advised businesses to limit storefront advertisements to make their establishments more visible, invest in high-quality surveillance cameras and one-way mirrors, change videotapes and clean camera lenses regularly and make regular bank deposits to limit the amount of cash on hand. The city has also formed a commercial robbery task force to focus on the problem.

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