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The Hard Truth About Crime & Security: What Businesses Need to Know

Updated: Apr 22

Crime isn’t random—it’s calculated, frequent, and costly. For businesses, especially in high-risk industries like cannabis, the lack of proactive security solutions has led to millions of dollars in losses every year. Here’s what the numbers say:

📉 Business Crime Is On the Rise

  • According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR), over 60% of burglaries target commercial properties rather than homes.

  • The National Retail Federation reports that organized retail crime (ORC) increased by 26.5% in 2022, leading to over $112 billion in losses.

  • A study by ASIS International found that businesses without active surveillance experience three times the number of break-ins compared to those with monitored security systems.

💰 The Cannabis Industry Is a Prime Target

  • A 2023 report from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board found that cannabis businesses are burglarized at a rate five times higher than liquor stores and nearly ten times higher than banks.

  • Due to federal restrictions, most cannabis businesses operate on a cash basis, making them prime targets for robberies.

  • In Oregon alone, cannabis-related crimes skyrocketed by 200% between 2021 and 2023, with many break-ins involving repeat offenders.

🚔 Law Enforcement Responses Are Slow—If They Come at All

  • A nationwide study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) found that the average police response time to commercial burglaries is over 11 minutes—long enough for criminals to be gone before help arrives.

  • For cannabis businesses, the response is often even slower or non-existent due to conflicting regulations and lack of prioritization.

  • Only 13% of reported burglaries result in an arrest, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

🎯 GreenShield: Catching Criminals in Real Time

At GreenShield Monitoring, we don’t just record crime after it happens—we monitor in real time, track movements, and provide immediate response.

  • Live security monitoring detects threats before they escalate.

  • GPS bait tracking devices have successfully led police straight to thieves after they leave the scene.

  • Proactive deterrence means fewer losses and higher arrest rates for criminals targeting our clients.

The Bottom Line

Businesses cannot afford to rely on outdated security solutions or slow police responses. Crime is organized—your security should be too.

It’s time for real security, real monitoring, and real action.

 
 
 

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