Robbery Prevention

1. Robbery Prevention And Post-Robbery Follow-up

2. Presentation Highlights • Prevention Methodologies • Physical Security • Improving operational Procedures • What to do during a robbery • Employee and customer safety • What to look for • Post-robbery follow-up procedures • Securing the business • Preserving physical evidence

3. Robbery and Burglary Defined • Most states define robbery as taking something from someone by using force or threat of force • Robbery is a violent crime • Burglary is often defined as entering a structure to commit a felony or a theft • Burglary is a property crime

4. Why the Difference is Important • When speaking with the 9-1-1 operator: • Make certain to explain that a robbery has occurred – not a burglary • A burglary usually will not elicit an emergency response from police

5. Robbery Prevention Methods • The overall reason is to make businesses much more difficult targets by: • Improving physical security • Increasing store visibility and the amount of lighting • Advertising that your business uses time-delay safes, CCTV recording, armored couriers, security, etc. • Reducing on-hand cash and other valuable items • Creating employee awareness and training programs

6. Is there an Internal Connection? • A large number of robberies are inside jobs • Employers should perform careful background checks prior to hiring • Do any employees have drug or alcohol problems? • Has there been an observable change in a particular employee’s behavior?

7. Physical Security – “Hardening the Target” • Robbery prevention often involves improving a business’ physical security measures: • Alarm systems & Panic buttons • Time-delay safes • CCTV & surveillance equipment • Security guards and armored couriers • Cash controls and improving other internal processes

8. Alarm Systems & Panic Buttons • Ensure that key personnel are familiar with the alarm systems’ operation • If your system is equipped with panic buttons, make certain that employees know their locations and how to work them • Place a panic button near the safe • During a robbery, the panic buttons should be activated only if it is safe: • Robbers often force employees to step away from registers, walls and counters… • Even if a panic buttons is activated, it is still necessary to dial 9-1-1 • After a panic button has been activated, a manager should make certain that the alarm system has rest – contact the alarm company

9. Time-Delay Safes • Remember, a safe without a time-delay lock is a robber’s target • For employee safety, ensure that there is adequate warning signs and stickers throughout the premises • Reduce exposure to injury, time-delay safes should be kept in public areas, not offices or backrooms • A robber has less witnesses and more time if the safe is in the back… • The managers input their code if a robber insists that the time-delay safe be opened

10. Surveillance Equipment • Install public-view monitors at the entrance – robbers will see their image as they enter your business • A camera should be placed directly over or near the cash safe • Sometimes robbers will demand the tape, CD or they’ll take the entire recording device, so it is a good idea to keep a dummy system in plain view • If a robber demands the tape or CD, provide him with a blank from the dummy system • The system should be maintained, so that video is always available for the police

11. Security Barriers & Bullet-Resistant Glass • Barriers and bullet-proof glass are a great way to protect employees • Employees must be disciplined and ensure the enclosures are always kept locked • However, if a robber takes a customer or employee hostage, the employee inside should immediately open the cage

12. Security and Armored Couriers • Security guards often help employees to feel more secure, but it is important to remember that many have poor training • Check to ensure that appropriate levels of training have been met • They should be posted in highly visible locations • Armored Couriers are the safest way to ensure that deposits get to the bank • Managers should have deposits ready so that they do not delay courier • It is a good idea to periodically adjust pickup times

13. Controlling Cash • Managers should regularly perform cash pulls or “skims” • Remove excess cash from till and place securely inside safe • If possible, this should be done when customers aren’t around • Between pulls, place larger bills beneath the till • Employees should not flash money, or keep their tills open • Employees must not discuss money or how many sales they’ve made that day

14. Opening and Closings • At least two employees should open or close a business • At opening, prior to exiting their vehicles, employees should drive around building to check for suspicious people or signs of forced entry • Just prior to closing, employees should check business to ensure all customers have left • Employees should check outside before exiting, but one should remain locked inside until the other gives the “all clear” signal

15. Employee Awareness • Teach employees to become aware of their surroundings • Could there be an internal connection? • Make note of customers that ask probing or unusual questions: • Whether the business has cameras and alarms • How much cash is kept on the premises • How many employees usually work • Where the safe is located • Pay attention to customers who seem to be examining security equipment or the layout of the business

16. What to do During a Robbery • Safety first, remain calm and do not resist or attempt to apprehend the robber • Do not make any sudden movements, and inform the robber of any surprises – someone about to return • Follow the robber’s demands and do not try to be a hero • The key is to get the robber in and out as quickly as possible

17. What to do During a Robbery Cont. • Be certain to provide the robber with any marked bills or police tracking devices • Move cautiously but quickly, do not delay the robber as this may agitate him • Once the robbery is complete, do not wait for the robber to beat someone or tie them up; tell everyone to lie down on the ground and allow him to leave

18. Pay Close Attention • Try to glean as much information about the robber as possible, but don’t be obvious! • Number of robbers • Racial background • Build, hair color & complexion • Tattoos or scars • Speech patterns • Clothing and weapon type • Vehicle type and direction of travel • Where the robber went when inside • What the robber touched (fingerprints)

19. Help the Police – Protect Physical Evidence • If possible, leave everything as the robber left it • Do not touch anything, move everyone away from areas where the robber went • Things to pay close attention to: • Any shell casings • Robber’s note • Fingerprints • Shoe prints • Hair, blood or any bodily fluids • Anything dropped by the robber

20. What to do After a Robbery • An employee should immediately lock the front doors, this keeps the robber from re-entering • Immediately dial 9-1-1, even if a panic button was activated: • Ask customers to remain until police arrive, if not, attempt to get contact info. • Have everyone immediately complete a witness ID form, and a written statement for police • Secure the surveillance video for the police.

21. What to say to the Police Operator: • Inform the operator that your were just robbed • Remain clam and speak clearly • Provide the business address • State whether there were any injuries, and if weapons were used • Provide any suspect descriptions • Get away vehicle and the robber’s direction of travel

22. Post-Robbery Assignments • Provide robbery prevention training, and run employees through drills • A manager or responsible employee should assign post-robbery duties, Team Work: • Someone to lock the doors • Someone to call the police • Someone to move people away from affected areas • Someone to pass around suspect ID forms, and have everyone write police statements

23. Creating a Robbery Prevention Program • Assign a project leader • Examine your business’ physical security measures, are they adequate? • Budget resources for the devices that are needed most. • Examine internal processes to reduce exposure • As a result of this examination, improved policy & procedures should be written • Create a training program that outlines specific post-robbery duties, and ensures that all employees are adequately trained with all aspects of robbery prevention

24. In Review… • Remember, prevention is about reducing the likelihood of robbery • Safety is the first and foremost concern • Well-trained employees will ensure safety and help the police apprehend the suspects • Create training programs and rehearse how to handle a robbery