Bandits have hit 12 L.A. optometry retailers since April

[Ron Redder]

There appears to be a couple of people who are targeting opticals in the LA area to steal high end frames. They have made off with $75000 in frames and sunglasses so far. LA Times
Be careful if you are buying high end merchandise below wholesale from the internet. It could be some of these stolen frames.

This raises the question, how many of you have a security camera (or more than one)? Also, do you have someone monitor it at all times or only when there is a suspected theft? I have been recently considering a camera system for my office, but haven't done enough research to figure out what I want.

 

[Scott Caughell]

There appears to be a couple of people who are targeting opticals in the LA area to steal high end frames. They have made off with $75000 in frames and sunglasses so far. LA Times
Be careful if you are buying high end merchandise below wholesale from the internet. It could be some of these stolen frames.

This raises the question, how many of you have a security camera (or more than one)? Also, do you have someone monitor it at all times or only when there is a suspected theft? I have been recently considering a camera system for my office, but haven't done enough research to figure out what I want.

I heard one good idea that you could make everyone show their driver's license before they are allowed to look around. Makes theft much less likely.

 

[Larry Greidinger]

I heard one good idea that you could make everyone show their driver's license before they are allowed to look around. Makes theft much less likely.

Makes shoppers much less likely..

 

[Scott Caughell]

Makes shoppers much less likely..

You really think so? The new HIPPA laws and credit regulations already require us to check a patients ID. We copy all our patient's licenses.

 

[Larry Greidinger]

You really think so? The new HIPPA laws and credit regulations already require us to check a patients ID. We copy all our patient's licenses.

Your previous post made it sound like they would have to show their ID to "stroll" around the optical department. That would stop people from shopping around, IMHO.

Maybe I'll make shoppers leave their current Rx with the front desk before looking around my optical.

I believe the new law you are referring to are the Red Flag Rules, which have been delayed again until June 1, 2010.

 

[John Boer]

Bandits? Is this the old west?

 

[h.c. jang]

Did you see the photos?

I heard one good idea that you could make everyone show their driver's license before they are allowed to look around. Makes theft much less likely.

In this case I don't think that would help... It'd be hard to match their driver's license picture to their face due to the masks.

 

[Harvey Yamamoto]

Bandits

1). We got robbed to the tune of 40K last year.
2). We checked with 5 other O.D.'s that were robbed.
3). The entry point was usually via the back door.
4). Our back door was broken and the thieves covered the broken glass while they were inside taking all of our frames. They took everything including lower end frame.

WE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL TO PROVIDE US WITH IDEA'S ON HOW TO SECURE OUR BUILDING FROM ANY FUTURE ROBBERIES.
1). We installed bars throughout our building.
2). We installed a solid steel encasing around the telephone wires on the outside of the building.
3). We installed camera's throughout the office including the roof.
4). We connected our system to our home computers so we could observe 24/7.
5). We installed a large TV inside the dispensing room where patients could see everything that was going on wherever they moved within the dispensary. We learned that most offices that were broken into - had a security camera setup. The wannabe thieves need to know that you are recording all their activites.
6). We installed iron bars inside all of our skylights.
7). We hired a couple that lives in a motorhome to watch our office at nights.
8). We replaced our glass rear doors with unbreakable material.
9). We installed 1" bars inside of the rear glass doors. Thieves like to break the back doors.
10). Thieves will case your office prior to the robbery.
11). No one is allowed to walk into the dispensary without assistance.

WE WERE TOLD BY THE SPECIALIST THAT THIEVES CAN AND WILL BREAK INTO ANY BUILDING IF THAT IS THEIR WISH. ALL WE COULD DO WAS TO ADD ENOUGH DETERENT TO DISCOURAGE THEM.

ALL OUR SECURITY MEASURES = $20,000.

ONCE YOU ARE ROBBED - THE CLEAN UP CAN TAKE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE YOU CAN RESUME ANY ACTIVITY. COLLEAGUES WERE BROKEN INTO THEIR OFFICE VIA THE ROOF. MOST HOWEVER WERE BROKEN INTO VIA THEIR REAR DOOR.

A RECENT ROBBERY OCCURED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OF A COLLEAGUE. THE THIEVES CAME IN WEARING LARGE COATS WITH LARGE BAGGY CLOTHING. THEY TOOK ALL THE HIGH END FRAME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

WE ALSO ADDED A VERY ELABORATE ALARM SYSTEM. THIEVES DO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE 3-5 MINUTES BEFORE THE POLICE ARRIVES. THEY CAN STEAL MANY FRAMES WITHIN THAT FRAME TIME.

 

[Jim Schroder]

ANOTHER perfect example of why NOT to practice in California!!!!! If I had to live in California, I guarantee you I would NOT practice optometry, I mean as a refractionist. I realize this kind of thing can happen anywhere, but it seems Californian's have to Fort Knox everything. I don't know what kind of neighborhood you're building is in, but if we had to put bars on all of our windows, nobody would come in because they would interpret that as a "bad" neighborhood.

 

[Scott Caughell]

ANOTHER perfect example of why NOT to practice in California!!!!! If I had to live in California, I guarantee you I would NOT practice optometry, I mean as a refractionist. I realize this kind of thing can happen anywhere, but it seems Californian's have to Fort Knox everything. I don't know what kind of neighborhood you're building is in, but if we had to put bars on all of our windows, nobody would come in because they would interpret that as a "bad" neighborhood.

Same here!

 

[John Boer]

ANOTHER perfect example of why NOT to practice in California!!!!! If I had to live in California, I guarantee you I would NOT practice optometry, I mean as a refractionist. I realize this kind of thing can happen anywhere, but it seems Californian's have to Fort Knox everything. I don't know what kind of neighborhood you're building is in, but if we had to put bars on all of our windows, nobody would come in because they would interpret that as a "bad" neighborhood.

Well, it's 3 degrees right now, which is a perfect example of why not to practice in South Dakota.

 

[h.c. jang]

I don't know what kind of neighborhood you're building is in, but if we had to put bars on all of our windows, nobody would come in because they would interpret that as a "bad" neighborhood.

Unless all the places have bars.

 

[Ron Redder]

Well, it's 3 degrees right now, which is a perfect example of why not to practice in South Dakota.

My brother lives in Mitchell. I feel for you.

 

[John Boer]

My brother lives in Mitchell. I feel for you.

I'm not looking for sympathy. I did this to myself.

 

[Harvey Yamamoto]

Thievery in California

Hello Everyone,

We can see the sunshine and clouds through our bars. That was one of our main concerns. We met with several wrought iron experts to get their input and feedback. The firm which we hired gave us a blueprint where the bars would hidden during hours of operations. The only place where we had the bars visible was on the back doors where they like to make their break-in entry. We also no longer allow entry via the back doors.

My wife once caught a well dressed man and woman walk in via our back doors and make off with 3 of our laptops while we were open. We learned from each experience. We have also learned to live with the earthquakes.

IMHO: The weather is fantastic all year round. My son's neighbor is a policeman. Here is what he says: Policeman and Optometrists are being targeted in Southern California. A policeman's home is a good source of guns for the thieves. O.D.'s offices are a good source of Hi-End glasses for a quick buck. Three of our salesreps also have had their cars broken into while they were having lunch.

With all these recent rash of break-in's - we are thinking of installing a trap-door filled with snakes that can be activated by break-in's. We might import a pet alligator from Florida to patrol our office at night.

 

[Jonathan Warner]

Harvey,

How big is your office? How did they manage to get to the backdoor with three laptops before they were caught?

(I guess that's one benefit to not having a big office.)

 

[h.c. jang]

The weather is fantastic all year round. My son's neighbor is a policeman. Here is what he says: Policeman and Optometrists are being targeted in Southern California. A policeman's home is a good source of guns for the thieves. O.D.'s offices are a good source of Hi-End glasses for a quick buck.

Great. Now they will be able to shoot you more accurately and look good doing it.

 

[Harvey Yamamoto]

Thievery

Harvey,

How big is your office? How did they manage to get to the backdoor with three laptops before they were caught?

(I guess that's one benefit to not having a big office.)

Jon,

Our office = 4,900 sq ft. The main hallway from front to back = 100ft. In width = 50'. We actually have another hallway in our suite of offices that is about 50' long. The thief told my wife that his wife wanted to use our bathroom. We have 4 bathrooms. When they were alone, the male went into one of the unoccupied exam rooms and took the first laptop then he cut across one of the storage rooms that links to the suite of offices and took two more laptops from our office's. They made their exit via the back door that only the doctor's are allowed to use.

We had no idea that the laptops were missing until the following Sunday when I dropped by the office to do some lab work. I went to our son's office and noticed that his laptop was missing. A quick call to him told us that someone had taken his laptop. Then I went to the rooms to investigate and noted that two more laptops were missing. One was new and the other two were 2 years old. I also noted that the back door to our offices was closed but not locked. That told me that the thief made their exit via our back door which is latched from the inside. We have had security doors installed immediately after that experience. Our insurance replaced all 3 laptops with newer and faster one's.

From that episode, we no longer keep the back doors unlocked. Patients must now walk around the building to enter via the front where we can monitor who comes and goes. From time to time, we receive calls asking for Oakley's, Fred, Gucci's, etc. So be careful of these types of calls.

My regret is that we sold the building next door to us (7,500 sq. ft). We like to have lot's of room. My family spends many hours at our practice so I wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere. A home away from home. We also have a full size kitchen for our staff along with shower, washer and dryer.

We have been told that the thieves come from South Los Angeles. With the recent rash of robberies, the police are staking out their neighborhood. We are located some 35 miles east of L.A. We practiced for 40 years without any security measures but with the current unemployment rate - burglary has become very fashionable.

 

[Steven Sobel]

"We might import a pet alligator from Florida to patrol our office at night."


Gators from Florida tend to cry a lot, especially after losing football games. Stick with snakes.

 

[Scott Caughell]

Jon,

Our office = 4,900 sq ft. The main hallway from front to back = 100ft. In width = 50'. We actually have another hallway in our suite of offices that is about 50' long. The thief told my wife that his wife wanted to use our bathroom. We have 4 bathrooms. When they were alone, the male went into one of the unoccupied exam rooms and took the first laptop then he cut across one of the storage rooms that links to the suite of offices and took two more laptops from our office's. They made their exit via the back door that only the doctor's are allowed to use.

We had no idea that the laptops were missing until the following Sunday when I dropped by the office to do some lab work. I went to our son's office and noticed that his laptop was missing. A quick call to him told us that someone had taken his laptop. Then I went to the rooms to investigate and noted that two more laptops were missing. One was new and the other two were 2 years old. I also noted that the back door to our offices was closed but not locked. That told me that the thief made their exit via our back door which is latched from the inside. We have had security doors installed immediately after that experience. Our insurance replaced all 3 laptops with newer and faster one's.

From that episode, we no longer keep the back doors unlocked. Patients must now walk around the building to enter via the front where we can monitor who comes and goes. From time to time, we receive calls asking for Oakley's, Fred, Gucci's, etc. So be careful of these types of calls.

My regret is that we sold the building next door to us (7,500 sq. ft). We like to have lot's of room. My family spends many hours at our practice so I wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere. A home away from home. We also have a full size kitchen for our staff along with shower, washer and dryer.

We have been told that the thieves come from South Los Angeles. With the recent rash of robberies, the police are staking out their neighborhood. We are located some 35 miles east of L.A. We practiced for 40 years without any security measures but with the current unemployment rate - burglary has become very fashionable.

Harvey,

Only you would have a couple in a motor home guarding your place at night! You're office is definitely on the list of ODwire practices to visit.

 

[Larry Greidinger]

Harvey,

Only you would have a couple in a motor home guarding your place at night! You're office is definitely on the list of ODwire practices to visit.

I don't know Scott, after visiting his office, some OD's want to die.

 

[Harvey Yamamoto]

Thievery

Harvey,

Only you would have a couple in a motor home guarding your place at night! You're office is definitely on the list of ODwire practices to visit.

HELLO SCOTT,

THERE IS A STORY TO THE MOTORHOME COUPLE. IT CAME ABOUT AFTER OUR OFFICE WAS BROKEN INTO. MY WIFE AND I PLUS OUR STAFF WORKED OUR BUTTS OFF GETTING THINGS BACK TO OPERATIONAL STATUS. OUT OF 3 EXAM ROOMS, I WAS ABLE TO GET ONE EXAM ROOM UP AND RUNNING by the afternoon. MY WIFE WENT TO HER RESERVED BOXES OF FRAMES (MOSTLY WELFARE TYPE) AND MANAGED TO SPREAD THE FRAME IN VARIOUS DISPLAY CASES.

As we were pulling out of our driveway (around 8 p.m.), i noticed a couple of homeless folks huddled in the parking lot. My wife and I looked at each other - we both had the same idea. We drove up to them and my wife asked if they were looking for a safe place to sleep.

They both replied: 'Yes, we are." We offered them our parking lot behind our office. They began to camp out every night. We would give them money for food. I hired the husband for various repair jobs. They became the town favorites as other business owners would stop by and ask them to watch their building.

I built them 2-large lock boxes to store their belongings during the day time. They felt very secure camping out behind our office. We supplied them with water, electricity, T.V., stove, etc. They were very comfortable.

8 months later the husband began to receive his Veteran's benefits. The wife applied for welfare and was accepted. Their combined salary = $2,000/month. They bought a 26' motorhome that was nearly new for $5,000. They liked our lovely neighborhood so they camp out in the parking lot behind our office.

They have not forgotten our kindness thus they continue to keep an eye on our office. It turned out to be a win-win situation for us. It goes to illustrate that one kind deed can turn to another.

 

[Greg Ray O.D.]

I am thoroughly disappointed that no one has yet blamed this on Walmart--you guys are slacking!!!!

 

[Alan Saks]

deterrent

Hi Over the years we have had tags on frames (ridiculous for trying them on!) with those 'scanners' at the door, we had multiplexed video recording 24/7
We stopped the tags 10 years ago with no increase in theft (the loop scanners at the door are there as a DETERRENT
ditto when our video recorder failed we never replaced it but visible cameras do the trick as a DETERRENT
we have had 2x smash and grabs so now have glass break sensors and remove the exepensive TAG frames etc from near the glass windows (liek jewelers remove their stock at night)
i have had the experience in south africa where my dummy flashing red LED in my car deterred the thieves who broke into all the other cars with REAL alarms as they must have had scanners that disabled them but they couldnt disbale mine@
so i suggest DUMMY CAMERAS and DUMMY DOOR LOOP SCANNERS
once we used an image for the police to catch a thief
they said the image was too poor (so what;s the point)
after hours set up a cheap we cam on a laptop with motion detector that emails you a pic if something moves etc!
hope this helps
as to asking for ID - if i was browsing in a 'shop' and asked for ID Id walk right out! Shopping is shopping we dont want to feel like terrorists or like we are in NAZI Germany!