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What You Should Know
About Commercial Armed Robbery
Prevention – Safety – Identification
Presented by: The Washington State Crime
Prevention Association
Introduction:
Armed robbery is a dangerous
crime that is on the increase here and
throughout the nation.
It is defined as the unlawful taking of property from someone by
using
force or the threat of violence.
This booklet is designed to help retail managers and employees cope
with this serious crime threat.
1.
It stresses what you can do before you are victimized to help
prevent a robbery.
2.
It explains how the safety of customers and employees can be
maintained during a robbery.
3.
And it details the steps you can take before, during and after a
robbery to assist in the apprehension of the suspect.
By adopting common-sense security measures
and by training your
employees, you can reduce the chance that you will be
robbed.
And you’ll
increase safety in the event you are.
Before:
Prevention:
A total security program is the best way to prevent armed robbery.
Some of the following recommendations may not be possible in
certain
businesses. But the more of them you follow, the greater
security image
you will present. The stronger that security image is,
the less
likely the robber is to select your place as a target.
Visibility:
Good visibility is important for two reasons. First, it allows
employees to
keep an eye out for any suspicious persons who
may be
lingering either outside or inside your store. And it increases
the possibility that someone
outside will observe a robbery if it does
happen.
Robbers don’t like to be observed. So good visibility is a
vital part
of
your prevention program.
Your front doors and windows should be kept clear of signs or
posters to
allow good, two-way visibility at your cash register area.
Employees should
be able to see out in order to spot suspicious
persons
who may be casing your place. And passers-by should
be able to look in at
your cash register area.
If you must post signs, place them to the side of the store’s
windows
and either high enough or low enough to retain visibility.
The outside of your business and the parking loot should have
enough lighting to provide visibility at night. Interior lighting also
should provide
good visibility throughout the store.
The check-out stand and cash register should be located in a
central
position where it is clearly visible to observers outside.
Counters should be
kept low enough so that employees can see
customers
throughout the store.
If it’s not possible to reduce the
height of present
shelves, you can at
least stock only small
merchandise items on the top
shelf.
Special display racks and carousels
should be positioned in such
a way that they do not obscure
visibility.
Special mirrors can be positioned in corners of other strategic
spots
to help
employees monitor the entire store.
These suggestions will help prevent shoplifting, also!
Cash
Control:
Perhaps the strongest deterrent is to practice and advertise a
cash-control
policy. By keeping the lowest possible amount of
cash on hand
and letting everyone know that, you reduced the
attractiveness of your
business as a robbery target.
Experience has shown that businesses can readily adjust to
operating
with less cash once a control policy is instituted.
You should adopt a cash limit of, for example, $50. If a customer
offers a
large bill, the clerk will politely ask if he/she has anything
smaller. Some
stores, especially smaller ones, politely advise
customers
that they can’t break a $20 bill (or anything larger than
a $20) for a
minor purchase, like a pack of cigarettes.
Employees then should be trained to check regularly for cash
over
that limit. Extra cash, especially large bills, should be placed
in a
safe, preferably a “drop safe,” or a locked money chest.
Such a chest does not have to be burglary resistant since its
purpose
is to discourage the robber. It can be as simple as a steel box,
bolted to a
counter or wall, and locked.
Most law enforcement authorities recommend a safe that the clerk
cannot open alone or one that requires two keys. That fact should be
posted near
thee entrance of some other conspicuous place and on
the safe
itself.
If it is not possible to have a safe, don’t place extra, large
bills
under the
cash register till. Most robbers know about that.
Without
a safe, figure out the least obvious alternate place to hide
your extra
cash until it’s time to go to the bank.
These cash-control measures don’t help unless you post the fact
that you
practice them. Post a sign, such as “$50 Maximum Cash
in
Register,” in a prominent place near your check-out stand and
store
entrance.
It’s also a good idea to post a sign near the register, such as
“We
Appreciated Exact Change.”
Banking:
As an extension of a cash-control policy, you should deposit
your
money as often as is practical. This should never be less than daily
and, preferably,
should be more often.
Before you leave for the bank:
1.
Jot down the serial numbers of several of the larger bills as
evidence in the event you are robbed.
2.
Look outside to see if any suspicious persons are lingering. If
they are, call law enforcement and request a patrol check.
You should vary your banking
routine. Carry your cash in a
variety of ways, such as in a lunch sack,
attaché case, flight bag,
pocket, etc. If you leave with a bank money
bag, you could be
inviting a robbery en route.
Try to bank at different
times of the day so that you don’t set a
pattern for someone who may be casing your place. It’s also
advisable to vary your route to the bank for the same reason.
But always
go to the bank directly, without making any other stops.
Alarms:
Another deterrent factor
that will contribute to your total security
image is to install an alarm and to post the fact that you have
one.
Alarms are available in a
variety of price ranges. In choosing an
alarm, it’s best to get bids from two or more reputable firms, if
possible.
The most important factor in
alarm selection is the safety with
which it can be activated. An alarm that requires a clerk to push
a
button, for example, is extremely difficult to use without arousing
the
robber’s suspicion.
Perhaps the safest type of alarm is called a “bill trap” or
“money
clip.” This
type of alarm is installed in one slot of your cash
drawer.
The last bill in the
slot serves as an
insulator, but when it is removed
in a robbery, the metal
parts
touch, activating the alarm. If you use a
“money clip” alarm, it
should be installed in the slot of one of the larger
denominations for
example, the $10.00 slot. ;IN the event of a
robbery, those bills should
be pulled first so that the alarm is
activated as soon
as possible.
Many law enforcement agencies have procedures for alarm
verification and
robbery response. It’s advisable to find out what
they
are so that you’ll know what to expect in the event of a
robbery.
Suspicious
Persons:
All employees should be trained to be alert for suspicious
persons.
Remember, such observation will be more effective if you have
good
visibility both outside and inside.
Outside, parked cars and telephoned booths are among favorite
observation posts for casing a business.
Inside, clerks should be alert for “customers” who seem to be
loitering or
glancing around the store while appearing to shop or
browse
through a magazine.
Robbers don’t like to be noticed or to have personal interaction.
Therefore, it’s a good idea for an employee to greet all entering
customers
politely, look them in the eye and asks if he/she can be
of some
help. This is, of course, a good business practice anyway.
If a clerk spots a suspicious person either outside or inside, call
law
enforcement and ask for a patrol check.
For this reason, post
your law enforcement agency’s emergency
telephone
number on or near all
of the phones in your business.
If you have a surveillance camera and the suspicious person is
inside, it’s a
good idea to activate the camera for several frames.
Such
photos would be valuable evidence should the person return
later for
a
robbery. (Your crime prevention officer can give you
more information on
surveillance cameras.)
Check
Reference:
A surprising number of armed robberies involve former employees.
For that reason, authorities recommend that you screen applicants
as
carefully as possible before offering a job. Ask for and follow
up on
character references and, especially former employers.
A few phone calls
may save you a variety of problems later on.
It’s also a good idea to invest in an inexpensive camera. Take a
snapshot
of each new employee and keep it in the personnel file.
(If you
have an employee bulletin board, you can post the photo
and an
introductory welcoming note for a few days.)
A photo could help law enforcement identify a past employee who
has come back to rob you. An the knowledge that such a picture
exists just
might discourage the potential robber.
Opening/Closing
times:
Opening and closing times are especially vulnerable to robberies.
If at all
possible, have two persons on hand at both times.
At opening time, one person should enter the store and check to
see
if it has been disturbed overnight.
Before closing, check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to
make sure no one is hiding there.
Side/Back
Doors:
Side or back doors should be kept locked at all times to prevent
a potential robber from entering undetected. Ask employees to
use the main
entrance to avoid the chance that a back door will
be left unlocked
accidentally
Storage
Rooms:
Robbers sometimes lock employees in storage rooms. Therefore,
it is advisable to install a lock that can be opened from the inside
and
to keep an extra key there. For the same reason, if you have
an alarm,
consider installing a button in the back room.
Weapons:
It may occur to you to keep a weapon at the business. Virtually
all
authorities strongly recommend against it. The chances of injury
or
worse are just too great.
Credibility:
Don’t be tempted to use phony signs or equipment. The use of a
phony surveillance camera, for example, can destroy the credibility
of all
of your other security precautions.
Before
Identification:
Here are two simple steps you can take at no cost to help in the
apprehension and conviction of a suspect.
Bait
Money:
Take several dollar bills and write down their serial numbers.
Keep
the
record in a safe place. Then place these recorded bills at the
bottom of
a till section holding one of the larger denominations for
example, under the
$10 bills.
Don’t use the bait money for normal transactions. But, of course,
it should
be given to a robber along with other money.
Your record of the serial numbers could help track the robber and
will be
proof that the money was stolen from you.
Height
Markings:
Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to
help
gauge the height of a robber as he leaves your business.
All you’ll need is a few pieces of colored tape. Place tape in
strips
about an
inch high at the 5”, 5’6” and 6’ heights. Vary the
color
of the middle tape,
at least, so that there is no confusion.
During A Robbery: Safety
Even with a strong security program, there will always be some
chance that
a robbery will occur.
Robbery is a potentially explosive
confrontation. Yet most robberies
take but two or three minutes.
It’s imperative that everyone involved
in a retail
operation be taught
how to handle those few minutes in a
way that will
promote the safety of
employees and customers.
For that reason, it’s advisable to include in your training a
mock
robbery.
Walk and talk personnel through the steps of a robbery,
remembering the
following things.
The
Robber:
The robber is most likely to be a young male. In most cases, he
will
be
armed with a deadly weapon, usually a handgun or sawed-off
shotgun.
The robber will be a bundle of nerves. He is likely to react to any
act that
comes as a surprise or appears threatening.
All law enforcement experts agree: This is no time for impulsive
heroics.
Your percentages are not good. ;The stakes are not worth
serious
injury or death.
It is a fact that more injuries occur in robberies in which a
weapon
other than a gun is used.
Once a robbery begins, there is only one mission: maintain safety
until
the
robber leaves.
The
Employee:
The employee should be trained to act according to these
time-tested
recommendations:
1.
Be as polite and accommodating as possible under these trying
circumstances.
2.
Don’t appear to be stalling. Convey by actions and/or words
that
you will cooperate.
3.
Tell him in advance if you need t make any move, especially
one he
doesn’t expect. If he wants the money in a bag and you
have to reach
below to get one, tell him what you are going to do.
4.
Do not try to use an alarm, especially of the hand or foot
activated type, unless you can do so without any obvious
movement that might cause the robber to react in panic.
As difficult as it may seem,
these recommendations will promote
safety and get rid of the robber in the fastest possible time.
Again,
this will be easier for employees if they have role-played a mock
robbery.
During Identification:
While the primary concern should be to follow these safety
suggestions, clerks also should be aware of what they can do to
help
identify the robber.
Demand Note:
Any note that the robber might give could be valuable for
handwriting
and fingerprint evidence. Try to slide any note out of the
robber’s
reach in a casual way, handling it as little as possible.
Suspect ID:
Try to observe the robber in
as normal a way as you can under the circumstances, without staring
obviously.
The more you can remember, the more helpful it will be to law enforcement.
The most important points: color of hair, eyes and
skin – facial features – approximate age, height and build –
any
unusual markings (scars, tattoos, etc.) mannerisms or speech
peculiarities or accents jewelry
or clothing.
Physical features and mannerisms
are more important than
clothing because the latter can be changed or discarded, especially
caps or jackets. Jewelry is less likely to be
discarded.
A suspect identity chart appears on page 12. You can make
photocopies of that chart and keep them near the check out stand
for later
reference.
Weapon ID:
Although information about the weapon is helpful to law
enforcement,
it is
not practical to train employees in technical detail.
However, anything they can remember about the most common
weapons
would be useful. Also try t note which hand is holding
the weapon.
Suspect Chart:
Height
Skin color (race)
Eyes:
Voice (speech)
Facial Hair:
Build:
Scars and Tattoos:
Jewelry:
Clothing:
Approximate Age:
Sex
The most prevalent weapons are handguns. There are two basic
types:
Revolver: The
distinguishing feature is a cylinder in the
middle
that
revolves put
the bullets into position.
Automatic: These are flat
sided – no cylinder. The bullet clip
is in the grip, where you can’t
see it.
Rifles and shotguns also are used in robberies. The shorter, sawed-
off variety of shotgun often is used. If any type of rifle or
shotgun is
used, police would especially like to know that for safety
considerations in pursuit
and apprehension. These weapons
have greater
range and are more damaging than handguns.
Bear in mind that just because you can’t see a weapon doesn’t
mean that
the robber doesn’t have one concealed.
Departure:
As the robber is leaving, continue to obey his directions exactly
until
you know he is out of the store. Do not try to follow him out of the
store. Again, it cannot be emphasized enough to cooperate at all
times with the
robber. Don’t try to take the law into your own hands.
Some of
the biggest heroes aren’t around to tell about it today.
After: Evidence and Identification:
1.
Once the robber is outside, try to watch through the window.
Try to
note the type of get-away vehicle, whether or not there
were any
accomplices and the direction of escape. If it is
possible to see the
vehicle’s license number, write it down.
(Once again, the visibility
factor is important.)
2.
Then call law enforcement immediately, using the emergency
number
posted by the telephone. Do this even if you already
have activated an
alarm. State your name, address, and telephone number and what happened .
Stay on the line until they tell you
to hang up.
3.
Next, close the store if at all possible. Lock the door if you have
a key. Do not discuss details of the robbery with fellow
employees,
witnesses or anyone else.
4.
Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. While they wait,
encourage them to write down what they remember. If they
can’t stay, get
their names and addresses so police can reach
them later.
5.
Next, try to protect any fingerprints or other evidence. Use a
box,
bag or anything else handy to cover or block off any
merchandise, counter
area or door handle which the robber
may have touched. Don’t touch those
things yourself.
6.
Try to recall as much as you can about the robber’s appearance,
speech and mannerisms. It’s best to make notes on these points as soon
as possible.
7.
Then you can step outside the store to meet the police when they
arrive. That way, they’ll know that the robber is gone and you are
safe.
This practice may vary in some jurisdictions, which is another reason t
find out the Robbery Response Procedure of your law enforcement agency.
Investigating officers will know what to ask you. Use your
notes to
help answer their questions as fully as
possible.
Get the recorded serial numbers of your bait money and give that to
law
enforcement.
Let the police answer any inquiries from the news media. Do not
discuss
the amount of money taken with anyone except law
enforcement. Ask
investigating officers to keep the amount of
money
confidential.
Summary:
The best defense against the frightening crime of armed robbery is
to make
your store and staff security conscious. Don’t wait until
it’s
too late!
NOW IT'S UP TO YOU:
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