CrimeJun 21, 2023
Police Investigating More Than a Dozen Smash-and-Grab Robberies in NJCrimeJun 30, 2023
Ahead of the Holiday Weekend, JSA Shares Security Advice
Jewelers need to make sure their cameras are working, and someone has to respond to any and all alerts from the alarm company, JSA said.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance gave tips on preventing burglaries over the upcoming long weekend and shared other security advice in a webinar held earlier this week called “Protecting Your Store: Essential Security Measures.” Jewelers of America and The Plumb Club hosted the webinar.
New York—The importance of responding to alarms and inspecting the roof were just a couple of the security tips Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy and Vice President Scott Guginsky shared during a webinar held Wednesday afternoon.
The webinar followed the release of JSA’s annual crime report for 2022, a record year for the number of crimes committed against jewelers, and came just ahead of what will be a long holiday weekend for many stores, which will be closed Tuesday for July 4.
On the whole, jewelry crime is evenly distributed throughout the year. There is no week or month that’s inherently more or less dangerous than any other, Kennedy said during the webinar.
There is, however, sometimes a spike in burglaries over long weekends, as criminals are aware jewelry stores will be closed—and empty—for more than just a day or two.
“Historically, we’ve had burglaries over Fourth of July weekend,” Guginsky said.
A burglary is defined as a crime in which the perpetrator enters or hides in a premises to commit a crime after closing. This includes safe attacks and three-minute burglaries, named for the amount of time they take to commit.
The number of burglaries reported to JSA increased 56 percent between 2021 and 2022, the organization’s annual report shows, while dollars losses grew 29 percent to $42.7 million.
In order to help prevent burglaries, especially over holiday weekends, Guginsky said jewelers must respond to all types of notifications from their alarm company such as power interruptions—burglars have and will cut a store’s power lines in order to disable the alarm system—and motion sensors being tripped.
If the owner is not available, then an employee needs to respond. Guginsky said stores should have an in-case-of-alert list that the alarm company can go down until they reach someone, particularly during holidays when multiple people might be on vacation.
“These holidays weekends, we see that problem,” he said.
And, he said, whoever responds to the alarm needs to go to the store with the police and inspect all the entrances as well as the roof, in the event the perpetrators are attempting to enter the store through the top.
They also should alert the police that the suspects could be near the store, watching to see if and how the owner or employees respond when the power lines are cut.
Guginsky also recommended that stores have line security and talk to their alarm company about installing a back-up battery for the alarm that will last at least 72 hours in the event power to the store is cut.
Related stories will be right here …
The webinar followed the release of JSA’s annual crime report for 2022, a record year for the number of crimes committed against jewelers, and came just ahead of what will be a long holiday weekend for many stores, which will be closed Tuesday for July 4.
On the whole, jewelry crime is evenly distributed throughout the year. There is no week or month that’s inherently more or less dangerous than any other, Kennedy said during the webinar.
There is, however, sometimes a spike in burglaries over long weekends, as criminals are aware jewelry stores will be closed—and empty—for more than just a day or two.
“Historically, we’ve had burglaries over Fourth of July weekend,” Guginsky said.
A burglary is defined as a crime in which the perpetrator enters or hides in a premises to commit a crime after closing. This includes safe attacks and three-minute burglaries, named for the amount of time they take to commit.
The number of burglaries reported to JSA increased 56 percent between 2021 and 2022, the organization’s annual report shows, while dollars losses grew 29 percent to $42.7 million.
In order to help prevent burglaries, especially over holiday weekends, Guginsky said jewelers must respond to all types of notifications from their alarm company such as power interruptions—burglars have and will cut a store’s power lines in order to disable the alarm system—and motion sensors being tripped.
If the owner is not available, then an employee needs to respond. Guginsky said stores should have an in-case-of-alert list that the alarm company can go down until they reach someone, particularly during holidays when multiple people might be on vacation.
“These holidays weekends, we see that problem,” he said.
And, he said, whoever responds to the alarm needs to go to the store with the police and inspect all the entrances as well as the roof, in the event the perpetrators are attempting to enter the store through the top.
They also should alert the police that the suspects could be near the store, watching to see if and how the owner or employees respond when the power lines are cut.
Guginsky also recommended that stores have line security and talk to their alarm company about installing a back-up battery for the alarm that will last at least 72 hours in the event power to the store is cut.
In addition to giving advice for protecting stores over the long weekend, Guginsky and Kennedy shared general security advice that’s applicable all year-round.
Tips included safe safety—they recommend having a TRTL 30x6 and not positioning it alongside and outside wall or a wall that’s shared with a neighboring business—and calling it to the landlord’s attention if the business next to a jewelry store is empty.
“You can’t just leave a vacant store next to a jewelry store,” Kennedy said. “It’s all ingredients for disaster.”
He also noted the importance of testing alarms and cameras to make sure they are recording, and of keeping surveillance video for a minimum of 30 days and storing it securely in the cloud.
The full recording of “Protecting Your Store” webinar is available in The Plumb Club’s Jeweler’s Resource Center (navigate to the “View” area) and on the organization’s website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
