ADI Branch Burglary

A security systems distributor branch is an odd target for burglary but that happened this week at ADI's Memphis location.

Vehicle Smash & Grab Theft

ADI responded to IPVM confirming its branch in Memphis, Tennessee was burglarized:

ADI experienced a random act of vandalism and theft when a vehicle drove through the front door of our Memphis branch location. There is currently an active investigation in progress and we cannot comment any further. Our main concern always remains on the safety of our employees and customers, and we are thankful no one was injured.

The thieves drove a vehicle through the front entrance of the branch in order to steal items on the showroom floor, as shown below:

Prior photos show the front entrance to this branch was like many retail stores, featuring a wide, double sliding glass storefront:

Minor-value Items Stolen

We spoke to store reps who told us the thieves stole DVRs, but another person said wire was taken.

In either case, the value of the materials is not high, and the damage to the building and to the smashed vehicle is likely greater.

However, the brazenness of the robbery shows that even scrap prices are sufficient enough to be a target for thieves. Especially given the weight of a 500' box of wire is ~10 pounds with packaging and insulation, and at current rates would pay about $3.50 - 4.00 in scrap metal value to a thief.

The resell price for stolen DVRs is hard to estimate, but we are skeptical they would yield close to legitimate retail prices.

We have requested the Memphis Police Report and will update here when received.

This ADI Would Benefit From CPTED

Ironically, the Memphis ADI branch could benefit from the services of its own security-industry customers.

A common design philosophy familiar to many in the physical security industry is 'Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design', typically called 'CPTED'.

This approach fundamentally calls for terrain features that improve the natural access control of buildings. Especially where the risk of vehicles smashing into entrances is high (like the Memphis ADI branch), embedded or bolted steel pipes into the ground, called bollards, are often recommended to harden areas against vehicle attacks.

Bollards in front of doors are commonly used to make a physical, vehicle smash resistant barrier but increase standoff distance to the actual pedestrian doors:

On the other hand, crashing through an ADI branch entrance is an atypical, if not unique, occurrence.

Criminal Activity Increase?

With Coronavirus, many believe crime will spike, especially given that many Police Departments themselves are facing substantial shortages of uniformed officers themselves infected with the virus, the vacuum is giving criminals an opportunity to strike.

As noted in our Police Dispatch Being Suspended In Many Areas Across The US This Week And Beyond Across The US discussion, many departments are not responding as normal to calls, as this example from Cincinnati:

Police will no longer respond to assault reports, unless a suspect is still present or the victim requires medical attention, breaking and entering reports unless a suspect is still present, menacing reports "unless suspects are expected or threatens to return or is part of the elements of domestic violence" or theft reports "where there is no possibility of immediate apprehension." [Emphasis Ours]

The result of Police stretched thin has caused several to think the demand for security will increase in the near term. One industry veteran opined:

Crime is definitely going to skyrocket, but will that translate into a boondoggle for security dealers? I certainly think so.

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