Robbery Prevention

And Post-Robbery Follow-up

Presentation Highlights

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Prevention Methodologies

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Physical Security Improving operational Procedures

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What to do during a robbery

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Employee and customer safety What to look for

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Post-robbery follow-up procedures

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Securing the business Preserving physical evidence

Robbery and Burglary Defined

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Most states define robbery as taking something from someone by using force or threat of force

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Robbery is a violent crime

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Burglary is often defined as entering a structure to commit a felony or a theft

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Burglary is a property crime

Why the Difference is Important

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When speaking with the 9-1-1 operator:

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Make certain to explain that a robbery has occurred – not a burglary

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A burglary usually will not elicit an emergency response from police

Robbery Prevention Methods

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The overall reason is to make businesses much more difficult targets by:

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Improving physical security Increasing store visibility and the amount of lighting

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Advertising that your business uses time-delay safes, CCTV recording, armored couriers, security, etc.

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Reducing on-hand cash and other valuable items

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Creating employee awareness and training programs

Is there an Internal Connection?

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A large number of robberies are inside jobs

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Employers should perform careful background checks prior to hiring

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Do any employees have drug or alcohol problems?

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Has there been an observable change in a particular employee’s behavior?

Physical Security – “Hardening the Target”

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Robbery prevention often involves improving a business’ physical security measures:

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Alarm systems & Panic buttons Time-delay safes CCTV & surveillance equipment Security guards and armored couriers Cash controls and improving other internal processes

Alarm Systems & Panic Buttons

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Ensure that key personnel are familiar with the alarm systems’ operation

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If your system is equipped with panic buttons, make certain that employees know their locations and how to work them

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Place a panic button near the safe

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During a robbery, the panic buttons should be activated only if it is safe:

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Robbers often force employees to step away from registers, walls and counters…

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Even if a panic buttons is activated, it is still necessary to dial 9-1-1

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After a panic button has been activated, a manager should make certain that the alarm system has rest – contact the alarm company

Time-Delay Safes

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Remember, a safe without a time-delay lock is a robber’s target

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For employee safety, ensure that there is adequate warning signs and stickers throughout the premises

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Reduce exposure to injury, time-delay safes should be kept in public areas, not offices or backrooms

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A robber has less witnesses and more time if the safe is in the back…

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The managers input their code if a robber insists that the time-delay safe be opened

Surveillance Equipment

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Install public-view monitors at the entrance – robbers will see their image as they enter your business

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A camera should be placed directly over or near the cash safe

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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

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If a robber demands the tape or CD, provide him with a blank from the dummy system

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The system should be maintained, so that video is always available for the police

Security Barriers & Bullet-Resistant Glass

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Barriers and bullet-proof glass are a great way to protect employees

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Employees must be disciplined and ensure the enclosures are always kept locked

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However, if a robber takes a customer or employee hostage, the employee inside should immediately open the cage

Security and Armored Couriers

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Security guards often help employees to feel more secure, but it is important to remember that many have poor training

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Check to ensure that appropriate levels of training have been met They should be posted in highly visible locations

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Armored Couriers are the safest way to ensure that deposits get to the bank

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Managers should have deposits ready so that they do not delay courier It is a good idea to periodically adjust pickup times

Controlling Cash

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Managers should regularly perform cash pulls or “skims”

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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

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Employees should not flash money, or keep their tills open

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Employees must not discuss money or how many sales they’ve made that day

Opening and Closings

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At least two employees should open or close a business

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At opening, prior to exiting their vehicles, employees should drive around building to check for suspicious people or signs of forced entry

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Just prior to closing, employees should check business to ensure all customers have left

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Employees should check outside before exiting, but one should remain locked inside until the other gives the “all clear” signal

Employee Awareness

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Teach employees to become aware of their surroundings

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Could there be an internal connection?

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Make note of customers that ask probing or unusual questions:

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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

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Pay attention to customers who seem to be examining security equipment or the layout of the business

What to do During a Robbery

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Safety first, remain calm and do not resist or attempt to apprehend the robber

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Do not make any sudden movements, and inform the robber of any surprises – someone about to return

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Follow the robber’s demands and do not try to be a hero

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The key is to get the robber in and out as quickly as possible

What to do During a Robbery Cont.

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Be certain to provide the robber with any marked bills or police tracking devices

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Move cautiously but quickly, do not delay the robber as this may agitate him

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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

Pay Close Attention

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Try to glean as much information about the robber as possible, but don’t be obvious!

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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)

Help the Police – Protect Physical Evidence

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If possible, leave everything as the robber left it

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Do not touch anything, move everyone away from areas where the robber went

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Things to pay close attention to:

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Any shell casings Robber’s note Fingerprints Shoe prints Hair, blood or any bodily fluids Anything dropped by the robber

What to do After a Robbery

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An employee should immediately lock the front doors, this keeps the robber from re-entering

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Immediately dial 9-1-1, even if a panic button was activated:

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Ask customers to remain until police arrive, if not, attempt to get contact info.

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Have everyone immediately complete a witness ID form, and a written statement for police

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Secure the surveillance video for the police.

What to say to the Police Operator:

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Inform the operator that your were just robbed

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Remain clam and speak clearly

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Provide the business address

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State whether there were any injuries, and if weapons were used

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Provide any suspect descriptions

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Get away vehicle and the robber’s direction of travel

Post-Robbery Assignments

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Provide robbery prevention training, and run employees through drills

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A manager or responsible employee should assign post robbery duties, Team Work :

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Someone to lock the doors Someone to call the police Someone to move people away from affected areas

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Someone to pass around suspect ID forms, and have everyone write police statements

Creating a Robbery Prevention Program

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Assign a project leader

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Examine your business’ physical security measures, are they adequate?

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Budget resources for the devices that are needed most.

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Examine internal processes to reduce exposure

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As a result of this examination, improved policy & procedures should be written

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Create a training program that outlines specific post-robbery duties, and ensures that all employees are adequately trained with all aspects of robbery prevention

In Review…

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Remember, prevention is about reducing the likelihood of robbery

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Safety is the first and foremost concern

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Well-trained employees will ensure safety and help the police apprehend the suspects

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Create training programs and rehearse how to handle a robbery