Somerset County Sheriff’s Office launches crime prevention survey for businesses

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md- The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new tool as part of a community policing push to help businesses identify security failures in their locations before criminals exploit them.

The Department is announcing a crime prevention survey, where businesses can request a deputy come on site and walk through a series of security checklists on their site, highlighting vulnerabilities including lack of lighting, exposed windows, and lack of security cameras.

Sheriff Ronnie Howard tells 47ABC he hopes as many businesses as possible take advantage.

“It could be alarms, lighting, shrubbery that is too high and next to windows that would conceal someone trying to break in through a window,” Sheriff Howard said adding that all vulnerabilities will be made available to owners following the survey by a deputy.

“That way they know which areas of their business or home that need to be addressed, and if they want us to come back out for secondary, we’ll be more than happy to do that,” he said.

Juniors Liqour in Princess Anne owner Mahesh Brahmbhatt tells 47ABC his businesses already have an extensive security system both inside his businesses and on the street thanks to a grant Princess Anne Downtown received under the Hogan administration.

“I’m excited that at least the police department knows what’s going on and giving awareness to the businesses, as a business owner $1 or a $100 bottle and lose it’s taking away from your family,” Brahmbhatt said adding that he plans to take advantage of the survey to highlight any gaps in his business security.

He says he hopes to expand to more expensive inventory, and with that heightened security becomes a must to protect his investment.

“Right now we have 500 and $600 bottles, but in the future, maybe we will have a thousand, and it’s like you buy a car and someone scratches it, how would you feel that’s what I explain to customers that it ‘s all us together in the community,” he said.

Downtown Princess Anne Director Carrie Samis tells 47ABC she will be encouraging all businesses to participate in the survey.

“It’s great that we have the partnerships with state and local police, protecting our businesses and protecting our downtown,” she said.

Business owners who wish to be part of the survey can contact Corporal Kayla Corbin at KCorbin@somersetmd.us
\at k-corbin at somerset md dot us.