capital area security council
The Capital Area Security Council is a group of businesses and public and private security personnel joined to assist area businesses in reducing losses through the proper application of effective security measures.
We are achieving our goal through increased communication between private and official security agencies. Through the efforts of the Council, we hope to bridge the communication gap between the business community and law enforcement agencies; to outline the private security person's powers and jurisdiction; to educate businesses in modern crime prevention programs; to operate the area-wide security CRIME ALERT System; and to effectively educate the public as to the seriousness of the crime problem in our area.
The Council was formed in the spring of 1973 and works in conjunction with the Austin Police Department. Members of the Council serve on any one of two standing Council committees: CRIME ALERT System or Loss Prevention. The General Assembly of the Council meets monthly for a program of instruction and information and luncheon. We welcome and encourage your participation in the activities of the Council. If you are interested in becoming an active member of the Capital Area Security Council, please contact the CASC at 459-5439 for a membership application. Annual dues are $25.
History and Facts
The Capitol Area Security Council was formed in 1973 to assist area financial institutions and other businesses in reducing business losses through the proper application of security measures. Scheduled monthly meetings are provided to discuss common problems dealing with Loss Prevention and General Security. Savings of money are achieved through the prevention of losses based on the CRIME ALERT System. New businesses are encouraged to contact the Capital Area Security Council and make suggestions on the type of information desired from the system. A major function of the Capital Area Security Council is a telephone CRIME ALERT System to warn participating members of certain situations which would cause a business or financial loss.
What is Crime Alert?
CRIME ALERT (Area-wide Law Enforcement for Retail Trade) is designed to help you, the area business person, in reducing your business losses due to worthless or forged checks, stolen or worthless credit cards, and shoplifting. All of these factors take their toll on the profits of area businesses; the rate of loss is as high as four to five percent of sales volume. Theft and forgery cannot be stopped completely, but with so many of our businesses joined together in this united effort, these practices can and have been curtailed.
Does it work?
Since 1973, the first year of operation of the CRIME ALERT System, hundreds of Alerts have been sent out to area businesses. Many professional and amateur shoplifters, credit card thieves, and check forgers were apprehended and prosecuted as either a direct or indirect result of the system. More importantly, countless other incidents of retail-related crime have been thwarted through the preventive nature of the system.
How does it work?
Any member who has knowledge of or has received or seen stolen or worthless credit cards, forged or worthless checks, or shoplifters reports the offense and all pertinent information to the relating division of the Austin Police Department, 974-5000. The Police Department verifies the violation and information and transmits it into recorders. Council members may obtain information by dialing a phone number given only to Council members. Each member should notify his or her local police department if he or she has any information concerning the shoplifters, or has any checks or credit card charges pertaining to the individual, group, or firm upon whom an alert has been given. Each participating member is responsible for disseminating the alert information within his or her store or among the store's branches or units.
How do you join?
Any member of the Capital Area Security Council is eligible to participate. It is important that you submit name(s) of the responsible personnel who will be the CRIME ALERT system contacts for your business so they can be added to the membership list to receive notices of meetings, etc. Please contact the Capital Area Security Council at 459-5439 for a membership application. A monthly meeting is held each month. A banquet is held each year for installation of officers.
Capital Area Security Council
7825 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78757-1229
Office: 459-5439
Fax: 459-1811
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