In 2024, Albany saw an alarming increase in property crimes affecting businesses. A total of 21 different businesses were burglarized in the city, with one such incident occurring at the Dollar General on Radium Springs Road. This smash-and-grab incident left significant damage behind and resulted in the theft of chips and drinks.
Customers expressed their dismay over the incident, while business owners were left to deal with the financial losses and repairs. Sudha Patel of Quick Buys Food Stores shared her frustration as she has been targeted twice in the past three months. In 2023 alone, there were 102 burglaries and 30 robberies reported in Albany, making it clear that this problem was not going away anytime soon.
Lt. Jon Segroves, supervisor of the Albany police property crime unit, discussed the measures being taken to combat this rising crime trend. The FUSUS system was mentioned as one of the resources being used to help combat these incidents. However, Segroves emphasized that business owners needed to take preventative measures to protect their establishments from becoming targets for criminals.
The best way to minimize damage caused by these incidents is to make businesses less desirable targets for criminals. Business owners are encouraged to implement security measures such as installing security cameras or hiring security personnel to deter potential thieves. By remaining vigilant and taking proactive steps, businesses can reduce their vulnerability to property crimes and protect their properties from further damage.
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