Are Bank Robberies on the Rise – Yes or No?

Are bank robberies on the rise? Well, to answer , one need only to view the nightly news cast or read the local newspaper. Yes, bank robberies seem to be on the increase. Why is this so? Could it be due to the economic down turn, the lack of security procedures, lack of employee training, or a combination of these factors and maybe more? 

Times are changing and the would be robber profile is changing, as well. As banking security gets more sophisticated, so do the robbers. If not already done so, banks must review and revise their security plans. Banks must take a proactive, rather than a reactive approach to all modern day crimes, especially the bank robberies.

Bank robbers seem to always be given unique folksy names, such as “the grand-father bandit” or the “high hat bandit” However, the truth is that these are very dangerous crimes carried out by desperate people, for a number of reasons, such as an economic downturn,  drugs or alcohol. And, each incident must be taken very serious.

One important phase of bank robbery security is a “Physical Security Risk Analysis”. This “Risk Survey” is vital in determining and defending the banks robbery risk and is essential in the structure of the bank’s Security Plan.

The survey categories  should be evaluated with each risk being given a weight of low to high risk. And, the overall rating should be given consideration in formulating or updating the banks Security Plan”

Once, the survey is completed, it should be reviewed and updated, at least annually, However, the survey should also be revised, whenever there are major changes in the  banking operation.

BANK SECURITY RISK SURVEY

A. BANKING ISOLATION

Is the bank within one mile of County line?

Is the bank in an unincorporated area?

Is the bank in a high crime area?

Is the bank isolated from the main business area?

B.ESCAPE ROUTES

Is the bank in a light traffic area?

Is the bank in a large parking area or shopping mall?

Is the bank close to a good escape route?

C. MULTIPLE EXITS

Is the bank close to multiple roads?

Is the bank close to the freeway?

Is the bank close to a back road area?

Is the bank close to a wooded area?

D.POLICE PROTECTION

Is the police slow to respond to emergencies?

Is the bank in a small town jurisdiction?

Does the bank have a full time armed guard?

Does the bank hire off duty police guards?

Is the bank not in a police jurisdiction?

E.PHYSICAL SECURITY/SURVEILLANCE/PAST EXPERIENCE

Has the bank been robbed within the past year?

Has any nearby banks been robbed within the past year?

Is the bank  alarm system monitored by a bank central station?

Is the bank alarm system monitored by local law enforcement?

Are all bank working areas cover by CCTV.

Are just the entrance/exits covered by on-demand film cameras?

Is the customer teller entry controlled by a roped traffic lane?

Are the drive up tellers isolated from the main banking location?

Is the Safe Deposit Vault entrance located behind the teller line?

AND MOST IMPORT, DOES THE BANK MEET, OR EXCEED THE FEDERAL “BANK PROTECTION ACT” (BPA) REQUIREMENTS

Hopefully, the above survey sample will assist in completing your own “Physical Risk Survey”.  The survey is not all inclusive, but only serves to prompt your thinking in designing a plan exclusively for your banking operation. 

Remember! It is estimated that one bank is robbed every hour. So be very careful. Here are a few closing survival tips, to make the best of a bad situation.

• Don’t be a Hero; do exactly as the robber requests’.
• The money is insured, the only thing at risk is your  safety

For assistance in drafting a structured security plan, please contact the author at (ccrobey@charter.net)