Alcon Lighting

As California lawmakers sign landmark legislation to protect retail stores from smash-and-grabs and petty crime, Los Angeles-based lighting company Alcon Lighting, a leader in commercial lighting manufacturing and distribution for retail stores, offices and other commercial spaces, teamed up with the Beverly Hills Police Department on an initiative to educate store owners on the importance of lighting stores and showrooms after hours to deter crime.

In recent years, Beverly Hills has become a magnet for organized retail crime due to its international reputation as a luxury shopping destination. In an exclusive interview with Beverly Hills Police Department Sergeant Jeff Newman, Alcon Lighting covers general security principles and lighting design considerations provided by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for enhanced business safety and security.

According to studies, adequate lighting and proper fixture placement can reduce the likelihood of businesses being targeted. One recent study from New York found the use of LED lighting resulted in a 39% decrease in nighttime robberies. By implementing better lighting technology, such as motion sensors, and increasing interior light levels after hours, businesses can create safer and more inviting environments.

"Time and again, we've seen statistics and studies that show that the more light, the better," said Jeff Newman, Beverly Hills Police Department's Community Relations Sergeant. "Most people don't want to commit a crime in the light. Take something as simple as an officer driving by at night — if all lights are off, it's harder for the officer to see someone. If there's light, you see someone rummaging through a store in a ski mask as an officer's driving by. That's going to get your attention. You're going to see it."

The initiative focuses on helping business owners understand how lighting can enhance safety. Key points include:

• LED lighting: Offers superior visibility, energy efficiency and long-term durability, helping business owners protect businesses while keeping costs down
• Proper lighting design: Creates a sense of security and deters criminal activity in and around retail storefronts
• Collaboration with law enforcement: Helps business owners develop effective crime prevention strategies

Alcon Lighting also provides guidance on appropriate lighting levels in and around the business to enhance nighttime safety and security. Business owners are also encouraged to contact their local police department for a security assessment, which the Beverly Hills Police Department and many others offer for free.

Los Angeles, California -- Alcon Lighting, a leading commercial lighting company, is tackling holiday stress by extending the success of its workday meditation program to support employees during the festive season.

Amid the challenges of today's workplace, Alcon Lighting has observed positive outcomes from its meditation initiative, demonstrating reduced stress, increased productivity, and enhanced overall health and wellness for participating employees.

Originally introduced as a response to workplace stress, the program began with a three-part HeartMath Introduction led by consultant Michelle Adams. The scientifically-based HeartMath method empowers individuals to regulate emotions, providing a foundation for the subsequent incorporation of meditation into the company's routine. Guided visualization meditation practices were later introduced to further enhance the program's effectiveness.

David Hakimi, co-founder and creative director of Alcon Lighting, expressed his vision for the program, stating, "My goal in meditation is for everyone working here to feel like a whole person with tools to manage stress and access a place within themselves of calm whether at work or at home."

In a recent Future Forum study surveying over 10,000 full-time workers, 42 percent reported feeling "burned out at work." Workplace burnout, recognized as an occupation-related syndrome by the American Psychological Association, is often a result of unmanaged chronic workplace stress.

A study by the Cleveland Clinic supports the positive impact of meditation at work, showing a reduction in stress and a boost in morale. Alcon Lighting's meditation instructor, Sarah Mata, attests to the effectiveness of these methods, stating, "Employees have been able to use mindfulness of breath and an intentional connection to their body to handle challenges with more resilience."

With the holiday season often intensifying stress, Alcon Lighting's commitment to employee well-being aligns with the American Psychological Association's recommendation that employers provide mental health support to foster talent retention and recruitment.

Victor Arias, an Alcon Lighting quality control employee, appreciates the designated time for guided meditation, noting, "Managing my stress, which helps me focus on the present, is probably the biggest gain."

For more information on Alcon Lighting's meditation program, please contact meghan@alconlighting.com.