If you’re a business owner, business security security systems should never be overlooked. Thieves and vandals often target office buildings and commercial properties in hopes of stealing money and valuable equipment.

More than 30,000 burglaries and more than 7,000 robberies occurred in Michigan in 2016, according to the Michigan State Police’s crime reporting data. Although both numbers have decreased significantly since 2012, eastern Michigan still has some of the highest crime rates in the state.

Consider these recent incidents:

• Skilled thieves damaged three businesses in an effort to break into a jewelry store in Portage on April 22. The thieves used tools to cut through walls and pulled a chain off one of the business’s doors in order to enter the jewelry store, and there were no video security cameras outside. The overall damage is estimated at $100,000.

• A burglar busted out a window and stole laptops and cash out of an auto body shop in Lansing in January. Several businesses had been targeted in a rash of burglaries in that area, as well, including a Cadillac dealership. In this case, a business security surveillance camera did capture the thief’s image.

• A video surveillance camera captured the image of a man suspected in 22 break-ins, and the photo contributed to his arrest in White Lake Township after a lengthy investigation. The businesses he allegedly broke into prior to his arrest included a tire store, a music store, a restaurant, and a tea and home decor store.

Making sure that you and your investments are safe is always a good idea, which is why it pays to know what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Wherever you are in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, or Livingston County, Vigilante Security can help provide you with the protection your business needs. We offer business security systems including: professional alarm installation and 24/7 security monitoring, smoke and fire alarms and detection, environmental control systems, and video surveillance. Please contact us for more details.