Lighting Stations For Safety

Service station operators can take an active role in making their businesses "unattractive" for robberies. One of those steps involves having well-lit stores on the inside and the outside.

Well-lit places scare off would-be robbers. They don't want to be seen; they'd rather operate in shadows and the darkness. You should make it a practice to test all of your lights during the day to make sure they work and to change them immediately if they don't.

Having proper lighting also makes the customer feel safe. A well-lit station is an automatic cue to the customer that he or she can shop there without having to worry about being robbed.

A good suggestion is that store parking lots be cleaned only during daylight hours.

Don't let your people work outside at night. If there is debris left over, leave it until the next morning. But there has never seen so much trash in a parking lot that it would deter a customer from coming in.

Outside cleanup should only be scheduled during daylight hours or during times when there is double coverage, such as shift changes. When scheduling station responsibilities, safety should be your top priority.

Late Night Procedures

· Make sure that proper lights have been turned on, and replace or report any burned out bulbs immediately.

· Greet and pay attention to every customer when he/she enters the store.

· In single-coverage stores, stock the cooler before midnight––stay out on the sales floor.

· Parking lots will be cleaned only during daylight hours.

· Trash should be taken out only during daylight hours.

· Store back doors should be kept closed after dark.

· Post police, fire, ambulance, manager/franchisee, and other emergency phone numbers near the phone.

· No unauthorized persons are allowed behind the counter.

· Offer complimentary coffee to uniformed police.

             Help Deter Robberies

· Observe your own company's cash policy by keeping cash in the register at a minimum.

· Encourage exact change or smallest possible bill.

· Drop all bills $20 or greater immediately.

· Keep safe locked and keys secured.

· Acknowledge each customer when he/she enters the store (make eye contact, greet the customer).

· Display signs without blocking the view of the counter.

· Turn on proper lights at dusk. Keep both the store interior and exterior brightly lit.

· Spend time on the sales floor whenever you can.

· Watch for and report suspicious acts.