What to Do If You Notice Vandalism in Your Business
So just imagine this: you’re heading to your business early in the morning, coffee in hand, ready to tackle the day. You turn the corner, and there it is—spray paint on the windows, a shattered door, and maybe even broken glass scattered across the sidewalk. Your heart sinks.
Vandalism. It’s the last thing any business owner wants to deal with, but unfortunately, it happens. No matter what type of business you have, no matter how good you’re doing for the community- there’s just always a chance of this happening. So, what do you do now?
Seeing your business damaged can feel like a personal attack, but panicking won’t help. You need a clear head to handle the situation effectively. This might mean calling the police, getting a more secure door, contacting insurance, and the list could go on and on. So, where exactly do you even start?
Start By Assessing the Damage
Alright, so the first thing you’ll want to do is take a good look at the damage. Is it just some graffiti, or is there more serious destruction, like broken windows or smashed locks? You’ll need to know exactly what you’re dealing with before you can figure out your next steps.
Don’t touch anything just yet! Yes, it’s tempting to start cleaning up right away but resist the urge. You’ll want to document everything for the authorities and your insurance company. Grab your phone and take photos from every angle. Get close-ups of the graffiti, the broken glass, any damage to doors or shutters—anything that looks out of place or ruined.
Notify the Authorities
Once you’ve assessed the damage and have your photos, it’s time to call the police. Even if the vandalism seems minor, it’s important to file a report. Vandalism is a crime, and having an official report will be crucial for your insurance claim. Plus, there’s always a chance the police might be able to identify the vandals or catch them in the act if this is part of a larger pattern in the area.
When the police arrive, walk them through the damage, show them your photos, and provide any other information that might help, like security camera footage if you have it. The more evidence they have, the better.
Secure Your Business
Once the police have done their thing, it’s time to start thinking about securing your business again. If there’s broken glass or damaged doors, you need to get that fixed as soon as possible. You can’t leave your business vulnerable to more damage—or worse, theft. It’s far from ideal, but yes, chances are you’ll have to spend a lot of money to get this taken care of right now.
For example, you might need emergency shutter repair, new windows installed today, or a new locksmith or technician to come by and check and fix the alarm system. It’s going to cost a lot since this is all last minute, and again, it’s far from ideal, too.
Contact Your Insurance Company
During or while you wait for your business to get fixed up, you’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the vandalism and start your claim. Provide them with the photos, police report, and any other documentation they might need. The sooner you get the ball rolling, the sooner you can get the compensation you need to cover the repairs.
