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Friday August 27, 1999

Specialist gives advice on improving safety

MARTIN KASSMAN
Bulletin Correspondent

"Attention to detail breeds good security," according to business security specialist Furlishous Wyatt Jr. of San Francisco SAFE Inc., a nonprofit program that provides security consultation services to businesses and organizations.

He advised attendees at the Anti-Defamation League's security conference Tuesday to employ "a healthy mixture" of devices and personnel to enhance security.

Among Wyatt's recommendations:

*Lighting should be directed toward the building from outside, if possible, in a crossing pattern. But lighting from inside is better than nothing.

*Fences should be see-through and at least 8 feet high. A solid fence may work to an intruder's advantage; he or she can scale it and hide on the other side.

*The doors of fire exits and stairwells should be locked (on the inside). Wyatt spoke disdainfully of the practice of propping a stairwell door open so that someone can smoke a cigarette. "Remember that the convenience of one can lead to the detriment of many when dealing with security," he said.

*Single-cylinder locks that require no key from the inside should not be used on doors with a nearby glass panel, which an intruder could break and then reach in to turn the lock.

*Organizations that expect to get threats should use caller ID units to track the origin of phone calls.

*Receptionists should immediately acknowledge every visitor, even if busy with others.

*Shrubbery should be thinned at the bottom so that the feet of a person standing behind it are visible.

*Synagogues should train ushers carefully and should employ unarmed security guards or information personnel to monitor those coming and going at services.

*Renters should take their "fair share of responsibility" for security, rather than relying entirely on landlords.

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