"Anything you can do to cause a crook to jump through more 'hoops and hurdles' is good," advises Senior Dep. Larry Logan, who spends most of his workday helping businesses and retail centers in Thousand Oaks fight crime.

Logan works for the Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau. He analyzes commercial building plans to make sure security features are adequate.

While discount retailers T.J. Maxx and Marshalls confirmed last week that 45.7 million-plus credit and debit card numbers had been stolen from their computers, locally computers themselves are a target, Logan said.

The majority of thefts from office buildings involve computers. Office buildings are notorious for their poor security, he said. "Every day there are crooks walking around business complexes looking through windows to see if something is there for the taking, but I have yet to see any business that took adequate precautions."

Although a company risks losing thousands of dollars in equipment, they may hesitate to make the necessary expenditures for crime prevention. "It's odd that people will take a chance to lose so much but do so little to prevent it," the deputy said.

"Most computers are stolen simply for the value of the computer and the components, but if you're a company, that's the least of your worries," Logan said. Thieves may also use information on the computer for identify theft purposes, and they may be able to access client and personal information.

Between February 2005 and March 2006, there were 97 million security breach incidents reported in the U.S. that threatened consumers' personal information, according to the nonprofit Privacy Rights Clearing House organization.

Logan said new laws now require businesses operating in California to notify all their clients if they think such a breach has occurred. The law states that businesses in possession of personal information must take reasonable precautions to protect it and must destroy it once it's no longer needed.

Taking precautions

Offices should have internal doors that can be locked, and windows should be secured, Logan said. Computers can be equipped with alarms, and they should be secured to desks to discourage crooks who would rather move in and out quickly.

But the majority of office buildings are easy to get into, computers are not anchored, and filing cabinets are left unlocked, he said.

Assuming that people do what they're supposed to do and buildings are secured as they should be, commercial structures are generally safe, said Karen Dyer, corporate compliance officer and risk manager for Innovative Dialysis Systems in Agoura Hills.

But thieves are resourceful, she said. Burglars recently stole a laptop and desktop computer and monitor from her business but left several others behind. Dyer indicated her company doesn't keep patient information or any other kind of protected data on the machines.

"They (the culprits) were probably just looking to steal hardware, but it's a pain in the neck," she said, adding that computer theft is costly and inconvenient because it causes loss of productivity.

Since this is the second time the Agoura business was targeted by burglars, Dyer said new locks and a new alarm system were installed to prevent further incidents.

Logan maintains that buildings could be better protected than they are. Last week he reviewed plans for expansion at The Oaks mall and a new commercial center in Newbury Park, ensuring that city safety guidelines are met.

"All cities should have this kind of program," said Sgt. Tim Youngern, a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lost Hills station. The department serves Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Westlake Village.

In Calabasas, deputies are part of the city's development review committee and can offer applicants their professional opinion on specific projects.

But overall, the physical security of private property is the responsibility of the individual owner, said Calabasas City Manager Tony Coroalles.

The Simi Valley Police Department is also involved in the development review process to ensure the city's security ordinances are observed, said city planner Peter Lyons.

In addition to enforcing safety rules governing illumination and landscaping, Simi Valley requires that addresses must be clearly posted on buildings so that if the police get a call, they can respond quickly, Lyons said.

The Moorpark Police Department reviews building plans when developers ask for assistance, said Moorpark Councilmember Keith Millhouse.

If authorities make recommendations, the city planning staff must ensure that safety guidelines are met in the design, he said. Law enforcement officers are proactive in the community and accessible to residents and business owners, Millhouse said.

Common target But according to authorities, the computers most often stolen are laptops taken from vehicles, not desktops in business breakins.

Police and sheriff's deputies have recently stepped up their warnings to area residents to remove valuables from cars.

Vehicle burglaries are usually committed by organized groups.

"These are crimes of opportunity," said Youngern, who indicated that authorities are constantly investigating car breakins.

Some practical remedies are available. Companies such as w w w. s e c u r e - i t . c o m , www.flexguard.com and www.kensington.com provide security solutions such as placing a permanent tattoo to discourage resale and enabling owners to track their missing computers.

Retailers also sell safeguards for desktop computers.