SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. —
Business owners in Shelby County took their crime concerns directly to Memphis Police on Thursday at The Church of Christ in White Station.
Businesses in the Memphis area are suffering from break-ins, burglaries and petty theft.
MPD suggested deterrents like getting more cameras, watch dogs, adding lighting and a daily cash deposit so there’s little vulnerability in your business.
Other advice included investing in more advanced technology like bulletproof glass.
“Every time you look around, you either see plastic on windows and cars or the same on the home. We've been having a lot of break-in issues lately,” said Patrick Blayde, who attended the forum.
Insurance specialist Vinnie Standard said the problems have extended beyond her insurance business and to her church, and she’s grateful for the opportunity to learn more at the event.
"We definitely are now dealing with people breaking in cars and stealing cars from the church, so that's something different. So this is helpful. [I] learned how to stay secure," said Standard.
"Education empowers you to be able to do what you [can] within your means to minimize...victimization," said MPD CIO Montgomery.