According to a Sunnyvale Police Department press release, a group of suspects rammed a vehicle into a local jewelry store and made off with stolen items before officers could arrive. This was not in the night or early morning. This was broad daylight. In the middle of the afternoon.
Would a Security Guard Have Helped?
It’s tempting to think that posting a guard might have stopped this—but in reality, it might have escalated the situation. When faced with a fast-moving group determined to smash, grab, and flee, a single guard is unlikely to intervene safely. Worse, they may become a target themselves.
What Actually Works: Layered Security
To prevent incidents like this, businesses need more than a warm body at the door. They need strategic, layered defenses:
- Environmental Design (CPTED): Bollards, hardened storefronts, and better visibility discourage break-ins
- AI-Monitored Security Cameras: Real-time monitoring catches loitering and unusual activity before an incident
- Speakers & Remote Guard Intervention: Talk-down systems that confront intruders before damage occurs
- Rapid Escalation Protocols: Clear video evidence, suspect descriptions, and license plate info delivered to police immediately
Every Second Counts
When criminals are in and out in under 90 seconds, there’s no time to call for help later. The security system must detect, deter, and escalate as it’s happening. That’s where Sentry AI’s SmartGuard solution comes in—our platform uses AI to detect suspicious behavior, trigger live intervention, and alert authorities with usable intel.
We All Pay the Price When They Get Away
Every time a crew escapes, they learn. They repeat. They hit again—often in a different city. Jewelry stores, cannabis shops, mobile phone retailers… no one is safe without the right preparation.
So What Should We Do as a Society?
- Should we require bollards or barricades outside high-risk stores?
- Should real-time AI security monitoring be mandatory in sensitive zones?
- How do we stop robbers from feeling like they can act with impunity?
Until we answer these questions, we’ll keep seeing videos of cars slamming into storefronts while the public shakes its head and asks, “How did they get away with it again?”
It’s time for a new approach to crime prevention. Not just reactive, but predictive. Not just guards—but SmartGuards.
