Loss Prevention Services
Retail security specialists trained in theft prevention, surveillance, customer
service, and professional apprehension procedures. Our loss prevention officers reduce shrinkage through visible deterrence, video monitoring, receipt verification, and evidence documentation for prosecution.
The Cost of Retail Theft:
• Average retail shrinkage: 1.5-2% of total sales
• Organized retail crime costs retailers billions annually
• Employee theft accounts for 30-40% of losses
• Shoplifting and theft impact profitability and prices
Professional loss prevention programs reduce shrinkage by 60-80%
- Plainclothes Loss Prevention Detectives Undercover security specialists dressed as regular shoppers observing customer behavior, identifying theft, and apprehending shoplifters using proper procedures.
- Uniformed Deterrence Visible security presence at entrances, exits, and high-theft areas creating deterrent effect and customer assistance.
- Video Surveillance Monitoring Professional monitoring of security cameras identifying suspicious behavior, theft, and policy violations in real-time.
- Receipt Verification Exit door receipt checking ensuring all merchandise has been properly purchased and identifying return fraud.
- Fitting Room Monitoring Supervision of fitting rooms where theft commonly occurs including item counts and surveillance.
- Apprehension & Detention Professional shoplifter apprehension following California laws regarding merchant’s privilege and citizen’s arrest.
- Evidence Documentation Comprehensive documentation of theft incidents including photos, video, witness statements, and detailed reports.
- Court Testimony Experienced loss prevention officers comfortable providing court testimony for prosecution of theft cases.
- Employee Theft Investigation Internal investigations of employee theft, fraud, and policy violations with proper documentation.
- Vendor Auditing Oversight of vendor deliveries and service providers with access to merchandise and facilities.
Visible Deterrence Model
Uniformed security guards positioned at entrances/exits creating visible deterrent effect while providing customer service.
Undercover Detection Model
Plainclothes loss prevention detectives identifying and apprehending active shoplifters through observation and surveillance.
Hybrid Approach
Combination of uniformed deterrence and plainclothes detection providing comprehensive loss prevention.
Professional loss prevention pays for itself through shrinkage reduction and theft deterrence. Contact us today for a free loss prevention assessment and see how much you ncould save.
Legal Authority for Detention: California Penal Code Section 490.5 grants merchants (and their agents) authority to detain suspected shoplifters when:
• Reasonable cause exists that person committed theft
• Detention is conducted in reasonable manner
• Detention is for reasonable period of time
• Purpose is to recover merchandise or call police
Our Detention Procedures:
• Proper observation and documentation before approach
• Professional, respectful contact
• Clear communication of reason for detention
• Minimal use of force (only if necessary for safety)
• Call for law enforcement
• Thorough evidence documentation
• Respect for suspect’s rights
Training & Certification: All loss prevention officers complete comprehensive training in California laws, detention procedures, use of force, evidence handling, and liability avoidance.
What’s Included:
- All equipment and safety gear
- Digital reporting and documentation
- 24/7 dispatch support
- Supervisor visits and oversight
- Compliance certification
- Certificate of insurance
Transparent Pricing Based On:
• Location within our service area
• Duration of coverage needed (hours, days, weeks)
• Number of guards required (based on property size)
• Site complexity and specific hazards
• Emergency vs. scheduled deployment
• Weekday vs. weekend/holiday rates
Our serviecs are available 24/7 throughout:
Bay Area (9 Counties):
Sacramento Region (7 Counties):
Emergency Response Times:
1. Urban areas: 1-2 hours 2. Suburban areas: 2-3 hours 3. Rural areas: 3-4 hours
- Visible Security Presence Uniformed guards at entrances and high-theft areas deter opportunistic theft through visibility.
- Active Surveillance Plainclothes detectives observing customer behavior identify professional shoplifters and organized retail crime.
- Customer Service Approach Greeting customers, offering assistance, and maintaining floor presence discourages theft while enhancing shopping experience.
- High-Risk Merchandise Protection Additional security for easily stolen, high-value items (electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, designer goods).
- Fitting Room Control Item counts, attendant presence, and surveillance reduce fitting room theft significantly.
- Receipt Checking Exit door receipt verification catches theft and deters future attempts.
- Employee Awareness Training Training store staff to recognize theft indicators and respond appropriately.
- Technology Integration EAS tags, video surveillance, and theft detection systems integrated with security personnel response.
ORC Identification
Internal Investigations Discrete investigations of suspected employee theft using surveillance, audits, and interviews.
Policy Enforcement
Monitoring employee compliance with company policies regarding merchandise handling, discounts, and procedures
Exit Interviews
Package and bag checks for employees leaving work in accordance with
company policy.
ORC Identification
Recognizing patterns indicating organized retail crime rings rather than individual shoplifters.
Multi-Store Coordination
Sharing information between locations about ORC subjects and
methods.
Law Enforcement Partnership
Working with retail crime task forces and providing evidence for ORC prosecutions.
Regional Intelligence
Sharing Participating in retail security networks sharing ORC intelligence across Northern California.
Enhanced Documentation
Detailed evidence collection supporting felony charges against
ORC criminals.
- Department Stores & Retail Chains Large format retailers with multiple departments and high customer volume.
- Grocery & Convenience Stores Food retailers facing unique challenges with perishables and small high-value items.
- Electronics Retailers Stores selling high-value, easily concealed electronics requiring specialized protection.
- Fashion & Apparel Clothing stores with fitting rooms and easily stolen merchandise.
- Jewelry Stores High-value merchandise requiring armed security and specialized loss prevention.
- Cosmetics & Beauty Small, high-value items easily concealed requiring active surveillance.
- Sporting Goods Large items and high-theft accessories requiring comprehensive loss prevention.
- Home Improvement Large format stores with contractor fraud and organized theft concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about our security services, operations, and coverage so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
What's the difference between loss prevention and security?
Loss prevention focuses specifically on theft prevention, detection, and apprehension in retail environments. General security provides broader property and people protection.
Can loss prevention officers make arrests?
Loss prevention officers can detain suspected shoplifters using California merchant’s privilege and citizen’s arrest powers. Police make formal arrests.
Do you provide both uniformed and plainclothes loss prevention?
Yes. Uniformed provides visible deterrence; plainclothes detects and apprehends active thieves. We recommend combination for best results.
Will loss prevention hurt my customer experience?
No. Our officers are trained in customer service alongside security. Proper loss prevention actually improves experience by maintaining stock and fair prices.
How quickly can theft reduction be seen?
Most stores see measurable shrinkage reduction within 30-60 days of implementing professional loss prevention program.
Do you handle employee theft?
Yes. We conduct discrete internal investigations of suspected employee theft and provide documentation for termination or prosecution.
What happens when you catch a shoplifter?
We detain the subject, recover merchandise, call police, document evidence, and provide reports supporting prosecution.
Professional loss prevention pays for itself through shrinkage reduction and theft deterrence. Contact us today for a free loss prevention assessment and see how much you ncould save.