Queens Business Security Checklist: Are You Covered?

Is Your Queens Business Actually Protected?

Last month, I got a call from a restaurant owner in Astoria. Someone had broken into his place three times in two weeks. Know what his “security” was? A basic alarm system and some cameras that didn’t even work half the time.

Don’t be that guy.

Running a business in Queens means dealing with stuff you probably never thought about when you started. Queens has a serious crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 residents, and different neighborhoods have completely different problems. What works in Forest Hills won’t necessarily work in Jamaica.

Here’s a real checklist to figure out if you’re actually covered or just hoping for the best.

The “Am I Screwed?” Security Checklist

Physical Security – The Basics ☐ Your doors actually lock properly – Sounds stupid, but I’ve seen businesses with doors that don’t fully latch. If someone can get in with a credit card, you don’t have security.

☐ Windows aren’t easy targets – Ground floor windows need bars, security film, or at least decent locks. In Long Island City, I’ve seen too many smash-and-grabs through unprotected windows.

☐ Lighting covers your whole property – Dark areas around your building are invitations. Motion lights are cheap and work great.

☐ You can see who’s coming – Blind spots near entrances are where problems happen. Fix the landscaping, move the dumpster, whatever it takes.

Technology That Actually Helps ☐ Cameras that work when you need them – Half the systems I see are garbage. Can you actually identify someone’s face in the recording? Can you access footage when you’re not there?

☐ Alarm system connects to monitoring – That basic alarm that just makes noise? Useless. You need something that calls someone when it goes off.

☐ Access control for employees – Who has keys? Who knows your alarm code? In Flushing, I helped a client who found out five ex-employees still had keys to his store.

☐ Backup power for security systems – Power goes out, security goes off? That’s when bad things happen.

Staff and Procedures ☐ Someone’s responsible for security – Can’t be everyone’s job or it’s nobody’s job. One person needs to own this stuff.

☐ Cash handling procedures – How much money sits around? Who counts it? Where’s it kept overnight? In Jamaica, cash businesses are bigger targets.

☐ Emergency procedures everyone knows – If something happens, does your staff know what to do? Most don’t.

☐ Regular security reviews – Things change, neighborhoods change, threats change. When’s the last time you actually looked at your security?

What Different Queens Areas Need

Astoria/Long Island City – Lots of late-night businesses, mix of industrial and residential. Main issues: break-ins during off hours, employee theft, street crime affecting customers.

Jamaica/Queens Village – Heavy foot traffic, lots of cash businesses. Watch out for: armed robbery, shoplifting, parking lot crime.

Forest Hills/Bayside – Quieter but don’t get comfortable. Problems include: burglary, vandalism, employee issues.

Flushing/Corona – Dense, busy areas with language barriers sometimes complicating security. Issues: theft, fraud, crowd control.

Red Flags You’re Not Really Protected

Your security company doesn’t know Queens – If they can’t tell you the difference between security needs in Elmhurst versus Rockaway, find someone else.

You haven’t updated anything in years – Same locks, same alarm, same procedures as five years ago? You’re behind.

Your “security” is just cameras and hope – Cameras are great for evidence. They don’t prevent crimes or call cops.

Nobody checks on your place after hours – Things happen at night. If nobody’s watching, you won’t know until morning.

How Much Should This Cost You?

Basic security improvements – New locks, better lighting, simple alarm system: $2,000-5,000 depending on your space.

Professional security guards – $20-28/hour for regular guards, $30-40/hour for armed or specialized. Most Queens businesses need 20-40 hours per week coverage.

Good camera system – $3,000-8,000 for something that actually works. Cheap systems are worse than nothing because they give false confidence.

Monthly monitoring – $50-150/month for alarm monitoring, more if you want mobile patrol check-ins.

Questions to Ask Yourself

“When’s the last time something happened to a business near me?” – If you don’t know, you’re not paying attention to your neighborhood.

“What would happen if I got robbed tonight?” – Insurance helps, but it doesn’t cover lost time, stress, or reputation damage.

“Do I actually feel safe here alone after hours?” – If the answer’s no, your customers and employees probably don’t either.

“What’s my plan if someone gets hurt on my property?” – Lawsuits from inadequate security can kill a business.

Getting Professional Help

Look, most business owners try to handle security themselves. That’s fine for basic stuff, but if you’re dealing with real risks or you’ve already had problems, get help.

What to look for:

• Someone who knows your specific Queens neighborhood
• References from similar businesses
• Clear pricing without hidden fees
• 24/7 response capability

Red flags:

• High-pressure sales tactics
• Won’t provide local references
• Significantly cheaper than everyone else
• Can’t explain why their approach fits your business

Ready to Actually Protect Your Business?

Stop hoping nothing bad happens and start making sure it doesn’t. Free security assessment takes about an hour – I’ll walk through your place, point out problems you probably missed, and give you straight answers about what needs fixing.

Call: [(212) 994-0307]
Email: [ info@theglobalsecgroup.com]

Covering all Queens neighborhoods – Astoria, Long Island City, Jamaica, Flushing, Forest Hills, Bayside, Corona, Elmhurst, and everywhere else.

No sales pitch, just honest advice about keeping your business safe.