Likely there will be more of this going forward so this makes a good read for those who want to start thinking about the issues involved.

SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS

The blow list comes from our members and security partners. This is the start of a  list we’re building as an industry resource. We must come together to keep our businesses safe, this is the time to share what we know for the good of the industry.
Preventive Steps for Business Security
  • Ensure all employees are trained in robbery protocols.
  • Review insurance policy for product loss and robbery coverage/deductible.
  • Use Panic Buttons:
    • Request multiple panic buttons from your alarm company.
    • Require all employees to wear a panic button linked to your alarm system.
    • Keep a panic button in the cash drawer.
    • Test your panic buttons once a month to make sure they work, you can arrange this with your security provider.
  • Security Cameras:
    • Active monitoring of security cameras 24/7, either through a security provider or overnight employee who has the authority to call the police or local security company before anything has been stolen (if possible).
    • If active monitoring is not possible, maintain perimeter alarm system that will immediately alert licensee, or licensee representative, and police upon a breach of the perimeter.
    • Have your security company ping your alarm once an hour to test for power cuts.
    • Provide alarm company with contact numbers for multiple employees with access to security camera footage remotely to immediately verify this was or was not a false alarm. If your employee can’t answer the phone, then someone remotely can help the monitoring company dispatch the police.
    • Install a security camera app on all managers/owners phones.
    • Ensure employees can see security cameras from every work station
Theft During Business Hours
  • Press the panic button as soon as possible.
  • If more than one employee on duty during the robbery, request one employee call the police, if possible, without calling attention to themselves.
  • Don’t be a hero, we would rather have products be missing than lose a life. Give them what they want and get them out as quickly as possible.
Theft After Business Hours
  • Licensee or licensee representative (could be a security company) must go to the facility once it has been “secured” by the police to relieve them. Licensee will now need to physically secure the premises by boarding up any broken windows and/or doors.
  • Employees should conduct an inventory audit before beginning sales so all missing product is accounted for in order to report to OLCC.
  • Licensee or licensee representative must prepare a notification to OLCC within 24 hours. This notification will need to include details on the missing product, a timeline for the break-in and subsequent police/licensee response, and a narrative of the break-in itself
  • Subsequent follow up will likely be necessary with OLCC before the investigation is finalized.
Post Theft Reporting
  • Call the police/file a police report ASAP.
  • Notify the OLCC about product theft within 24 hours.
  • Notify MAPS (or other credit union) if cash was stolen, if applicable.
  • Perform a full store audit to quantify total loss.
  • Adjust METRC inventory.
  • Provide security footage to the police and OLCC.
  • Prosecute people who break the law for the benefit of the whole industry.
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ROBBERY REPORTING

The OCA is engaging in an effort to collect robbery data, in hopes of tracking trends and providing information to our members to help each other prevent future thefts. If you have experienced a robbery in the last 6 months, please share your experience by clicking on the button below. Any personal or company-specific information is not required and if shared will be kept confidential.
ROBBERY SURVEY
PROPERTY INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance, OCA member, has shared some information for business owners experiencing losses during the pandemic and protests:

Insurance companies have seen millions of dollars in claim damages submitted over the past few months due to vandalism and theft. Standard commercial property policies typically include coverage for physical loss or damage to the insured’s premises and other property resulting from looting, vandalism and riots. Actual coverage will depend on the individual policy language and how it relates to vandalism, riot and civil commotion, glass breakage, civil authority and businesses interruption coverages. This is a great time to review the insurance policy for your business and consult with your broker.

Many cannabis property insurance policies contain Protective Safeguard Endorsements requiring certain safeguards to be in place at the time of loss or the claim may be denied. Examples of these requirements include the presence of an active central fire alarm, sprinklers, central burglar alarm, operational cameras, approved safe room, etc. Notify your broker and the insurer immediately if you have inactive protective safeguard measures required by your policy.

Additional tips on this subject provided by The Cannabis Industry Association can be found here: Tips for Businesses Impacted by Theft & Property Damage

While we are still in the midst of the pandemic, it is also a good time to review your disaster preparedness and business continuity plan. Tim Clarke, senior vice president, claims and risk services at Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance was recently interviewed in the Portland Business Journal. He advised, “If you don’t have a plan in place when disaster strikes, it is very difficult to react mid-crisis. Further, when things come back online post-disaster, there is a short window before aid — insurance, grants, loans, federal assistance — is no longer available.” The full article can be found on the PBJ website here.

Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance is a proud member of the Oregon Cannabis Association. They are an insurance brokerage firm that works with medical and recreational growers, cultivators, trimmers, manufacturers, wholesalers and dispensaries. They scale quickly with companies as they grow or expand into other states. More information can be found on their website at https://bbnw.com/cannabis/.