RobberyCrime Prevention For Businesses Robbery is a dangerous

Robbery/Crime Prevention For Businesses

Robbery is a dangerous crime that is increasing throughout the nation. It is defined as the unlawful taking of property from someone by using force or the threat of violence

Opening/Closing n Many Robberies happen at opening and closing n Larger amounts of money can be obtained at these times n Always check surrounding area/structure at business for signs of forced entry, before going into the building. n When business closes, it always stays closed n Don’t Let anyone in!!

What is a morning glory robbery?

What is a Morning Glory Robbery? n One of the worst kinds! n The robber will confront employees, usually at gunpoint, while they are opening first thing in the morning. n Employees are forced at gunpoint to open the vault, where larger amounts of money are stored.

Tips to prevent a robbery: n Drive around the entire building. Look at vulnerable areas: n Trees or Shrubbery n Air conditioning units n Fences n Bike Path n Trash bins n Adjacent lots of other businesses If you sense danger, don’t attempt to enter the building. Contact the Police immediately, and drive out of the lot to safety.

Tips to prevent a robbery: n The opening team should park CLOSE to the entrance. n n n Minimizes exposure time Puts the employee closer to safety You can move the car to a non-customer spot later Employees save the best parking for customers. But if the opening team parks far from the door, the robber will be running toward them before they can get to the safety of the building.

Tips to prevent a robbery: n The first opener should watch the second opener approach the branch n Why? n The second opener could be taken hostage by a robber as they approach the building. The hostage’s life is threatened unless the first opener unlocks the door. n Always be ready to phone the police!

Money Deposits Conceal Bank bag whenever in possession n Vary Routes to Bank n Be alert to any one following you n Get license plate and report to police while driving n Do not get out of your car if you feel you are being followed n n In bank parking lot, always park as close to bank as possible. Be aware of your

SAFECATCH n. S = Scan: Scan your work area looking for suspicious persons or incidents.

ALERT: Alert others to your suspicions. If the threat is immediate, utilize the “walk away strategy” below. n “WALK-AWAY STRATEGY: ” If a perceived threat is imminent, no weapon has been displayed, and/or no verbal or written demand has been made, walk away to a predetermined employee. n n For example, the employee would call out to the subject, “I will be right back. ” Then, the employee should walk away to the pre-determined point-ofcontact. NOTE: Once again, the above “walk-away strategy” is to be used ONLY PRIOR TO a demand being made and/or a weapon being displayed.

FRIENDLY: If the opportunity exists, utilize a friendly, neutral approach to greet the subject. n n For example, you may approach the subject in a friendly manner (using good eye contact, a warm smile, and extending your hand to shake hands) and say: "Hi there! My name is So-and-So. I'm the Assistant Manager here. I haven't seen you here before. ” Then immediately proceed to the next step below.

ESCAPE: After the greeting, allow egress for the subject to escape. n IMMEDIATELY after saying, as noted above, “I haven’t seen you here before, ” you break contact and you begin walking away from the subject back to your desk while saying “I will just need to first see some photo identification and then I can help you. ” n The subject, having had their anonymity taken away, will likely take the opportunity to make up a reason why they must leave and will immediately do so. n If subject leaves the business without conducting business, call 911 to report a suspicious person. Relay what you saw and experienced.

CATCH n n n C = Call: Call 911 as soon as possible – at the latest, as soon as the subject has exited the business. If you were robbed, call 911 and vigorously waive your hand in the air to signal your co-workers that you have been robbed. Your call to 911 directly notifies the police, not your alarm button! Even if you hit your alarm button, you must still call 911 as soon as possible. Do not get into a conversation with another employee.

ACTION A = Action: If you see a co-worker on the phone with their hand in the air, take action. Lock the doors & notify management. n Simply ask the Victim, “Have you been robbed? ” If the Victim nods while they are talking to 911, other employees should not engage the Victim in conversation. n Start post-robbery procedures. n

TACTICAL n T = Tactical: When notified a robbery has occurred, go to your predetermined tactical location to observe fleeing subjects or vehicles. n n n Notify Planning and Development Use discretion and good judgment in deciding if, and how soon, it is safe to do so. As a team, choreograph and rehearse who will go to which windows on each side of the building immediately after a suspect has fled. Try to ascertain a description of the getaway vehicle and the direction of travel so that this can be relayed to the Victim who can relay it, in turn, to the 911 dispatcher. Separate Witnesses and protect evidence Lock building, so the robber doesn’t come back in. NOTE: Absolutely under no circumstances should any employee or customer

CALM n n C = Calm: Remain calm so you can implement "SAFE CATCH" strategies. "Anxiety is the price paid for lack of preparation. " Practice taking money out of drawer so that in reallife robbery you will limit the amount you give out. Why? However, FBI statistics show that robbers often return to businesses where in a previous robbery they got a lot of money. Rehearse grabbing your ones, fives, tens, etc. , and then one big bill on top. If the suspect demands more money, then comply and give him more.

During a Robbery n CALM n C-Calm n A-acknowledge n L-listen and obey n M-Memorize, procedures, physical characteristics, escape route

Additional Information n Evidence preservation n n Fingerprints Note (put note aside so robber doesn’t take it) Call 9 -1 -1 after a robbery. Our dispatchers need direct information from you.

Prevention Efforts n n No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses Policy Home to Work/Work to Home n n Do not have the same routine Stagger times Be aware of surroundings when leaving and coming Media/For safety of employees n Limit info. n n n Employee information Could put their family at risk Media can exploit robberies n Copy Cat crimes

Additional Factors n Increasing n n Robberies with multiple people Drugs Many robberies (80 -85%) are related to drugs or alcohol n Need money for habit n

Recognizing Signs of Aggression or Violence

OPPORTUNITY L TRIANGLE A VI CRIME IN IM CT R C IM How Do We Prepare?

Awareness While Working n Scan your work area looking for suspicious persons or incidents. n Maintain n Greet Eye contact with patrons people as they enter

HELP PREVENT OFFICE THEFT AND OTHER CRIMES �Keep your purse, wallet, keys, or other valuable items with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet. �Check the identity of any strangers who are in your office – ask whom they are visiting and if you can help them find that person. If this makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management about your suspicions.

HELP PREVENT OFFICE THEFT AND OTHER CRIMES Always let someone know where you’ll be –whether it’s coming in late, working late, going to the photocopier or mail room, going out to lunch or a meeting. n Report any broken or flickering lights, dimly lit corridors, doors that don’t lock properly, or broken windows. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. n

n Report Crime or Suspicious Activity Have the police non-emergency phone programmed into your cell phone 882 -7444 for Westerville n 645 -4545 for CPD n n Trust your instinct If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t n Report people/vehicles who don’t appear to belong in your area n n Practice being a good witness n Write down license plates

WHAT ABOUT VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

WHAT ABOUT VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE �Could you recognize potentially violent employees? Signs of stress that could erupt into violence include: depression, frequent absences, talking in a louder-than-normal voice, being startled easily, increased irritability and impatience, and concentration and memory problems.

WHAT ABOUT VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE n Are you encouraged to report unusual or worrisome behavior? Is there a clear, written policy that spells out procedures in cases of violence and sanctions for violators? Make sure you know to whom you should report unusual behaviors.

Signs of Aggression Employees or Patrons n Furtive behavior n n Not making eye contact, fidgety Other non-verbal signs Looking down – sign of nervousness or deceit n Red face n Clinched fists n Tightened jaw line n Pursed lips to sneers or snarls n Staring or squinting n

Non-verbal signs continued � Hitting ◦ ◦ ◦ fist in hand while talking Mimicking actual attacks-intimidation Shaking fists Head-butts �Tensed muscles �Pointing fingers �Closing Space ◦ Don’t let people in your space � Set your boundaries �Mental ◦ Illness or person on drugs Unpredictable

Personal Safety

Empowering Your Mind and Body Use your “natural tools” to help protect and defend yourself Intuition is an extremely effective barometer of trouble

Assertiveness One of the most effective techniques for preventing an assault. n A learned behavior. n Know what you want or need and. . n n n Have the ability to express those needs comfortably and honestly. When you say “no” and you are ignored, a red flag should immediately rise

Body Language 90% of our communication is non-verbal! n How do we appear? n How do we walk or stand? n Don’t look or act like an easy target n

Eye Contact Maintaining eye contact. n Different ways of looking convey different messages. n Don’t look intimidated…even if you are! n

Questions? ?