A storefront break-in is one of the most stressful events a business owner can face. Shattered commercial glass, compromised security, potential theft — it all happens in an instant. Whether your business is in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, or San Bernardino County, knowing what to do immediately after a break-in can save you thousands of dollars and get your doors open faster.
Step 1: Ensure Safety First
Before entering your property, make sure it's safe. Broken tempered glass or laminated storefront glass can leave dangerous shards. If the break-in just occurred, wait for law enforcement to clear the scene. Never attempt to handle large pieces of broken commercial plate glass without professional help.
Step 2: Call for Emergency Board-Up Service
Your first call after the police should be to a 24/7 emergency board-up service. At Hal's Glass, we provide emergency commercial board-up across all of Southern California — typically arriving on-site within 60 minutes. Our crews secure your storefront with heavy-duty plywood and temporary barriers to prevent further damage, theft, or weather intrusion.
A professional emergency board-up also satisfies most insurance requirements for loss mitigation, which is critical for your claim.
Step 3: Document Everything for Insurance
Take photos and video of all damage before any cleanup begins. Document broken storefront glass panels, damaged commercial door frames, compromised door hardware like panic bars and door closers, and any interior damage. Your insurance adjuster will need this documentation to process your commercial property damage claim.
Step 4: File a Police Report
A police report is mandatory for virtually every commercial insurance claim related to break-in or vandalism. Keep your case number accessible — your insurance company, your glass repair contractor, and your property manager will all need it.
Step 5: Get a Professional Glass Assessment
Once the scene is secured, have a commercial glass contractor assess the full scope of damage. This often includes more than just the obvious broken pane. Common secondary damage includes:
- Bent or warped aluminum storefront frames
- Damaged automatic door closers and pivot hinges
- Cracked hollow metal door frames
- Compromised commercial lock cylinders and panic exit devices
- Scratched or shattered sidelite glass panels
Step 6: Schedule Permanent Glass Replacement
Board-up is temporary. You'll need permanent storefront glass replacement as soon as possible to restore your business image and security. Hal's Glass offers custom-cut commercial glass including tempered safety glass, laminated security glass, insulated glass units (IGUs), and low-E coated glass for energy efficiency.
We handle the complete storefront glass installation — from precise measurements to final glazing — for retail stores, restaurants, banks, offices, and medical facilities throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Step 7: Upgrade Your Security
A break-in is the perfect time to consider security upgrades. Popular options include:
- Security window film (also called smash-and-grab film) that holds glass together on impact
- Anti-graffiti film to protect against future vandalism
- Upgraded commercial door hardware with high-security deadbolts and rim exit devices
- Laminated glass instead of standard tempered for higher break-in resistance
Why Southern California Businesses Trust Hal's Glass
Since 1946, Hal's Glass Co. has been the go-to commercial glass company for businesses across Southern California. We specialize in emergency board-up, storefront glass repair and replacement, commercial door installation, security film application, and hollow metal door frames. Our 24/7 emergency response team serves Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Ontario, Pasadena, Torrance, and surrounding communities.
Don't wait — call (562) 866-7047 for immediate emergency board-up service or to schedule a free estimate for commercial glass replacement.