In the case of bank robbery or even an attempted one, there are a lot of things that officials on ground can do to prevent it from happening. In fact, almost all these things should be done before the occurrence of any unfortunate incident. Andersson et al. (2008) succinctly open their article with a statement that: “Organizations are in today’s business society faced with an increasing number of crises. The knowledge about how to manage a crisis has become an important tool for competitive advantage. The question is no longer if or when an organization will experience a crisis, but rather in what form and how prepared it is when a crisis actually occurs.” The expression explains the issues confronting the contemporary corporate world in the best language possible. Every organization must always be prepared for any form of attack and the best way to do this is to arm their workforce with adequate knowledge on security.
In order to help officials nab thieves, some security measures must be put in place. Some of them are:
Erecting higher teller counters with barriers. These barriers prevent robbers from jumping over the counters (LVG, 2019). In case anyone wants to jump over the counter, the bank officer in charge can quickly raise an alarm. This is an indication that danger is at sight. At least, if everyone maintains their calm, it means all is well with such a branch. The tall counter is erected to keep the banker at alert in case of any issue brewing up from the other side of the banking hall.
Involvement of on-duty security guards. Once security guards are hired, they become a part of your workforce and may I say that they are very vital to the survival of the organization. Security guards serve as a visual assurance of protection for patrons and a crime deterrent for people who would rob the banks (LVG, 2019). The security guards can work hands in gloves with other employees of the bank. If a criminal is trying to dodge a security guard, another bank employee can notice such unusual behavior of the ‘client’ and call the attention of the security personnel to it.
Placement of GPS tracking devices in money bags. GPS tracking devices allows the banks to track the progress of the money once it leaves the banks and has allowed law enforcement to track the money and the thieves (LVG, 2019). This is very crucial in helping all the parties involved in the monitoring of the money till it gets to its final destination. If there is any issue, they will know how to trace the funds and apprehend the culprits. With this, there is no longer hiding place for criminals at banks.
Put dye packs in with the money. This one isn’t as great for tracking the money but is extremely useful when it comes to identifying the money that was stolen and, in many cases, the person who stole the money as well (LVG, 2019). This is just a preventive measure and to aid the recovery of the funds when stolen. At least, you know what you’re looking for and on sighting it, there would be no reason for further argument. Also, it aids in the prosecution of the offender.
Customers should remove clothing and accessories that obscure views. Taking off things like hats, scarves, sunglasses, etc. allows the cameras to capture better images and make identifications of robbers easier – something most thieves aren’t interested in (LVG, 2019). The bank workers have to enforce this regulation if they truly want to have a victory over robbery. The eyes are the windows to the soul and once a person is able to get hold of a subject’s face, the job is half done. Be sure that anyone who doesn’t want to cooperate with you has something they are hiding. This is a tell-tale indicator that you should inquire further about their mission at the bank.
Offer rewards for information leading to the capture of thieves. There’s nothing quite as tempting as a decent reward to get people to do the right thing and report others who may have stolen from the bank. Fortunately, banks are catching on to that important fact. Banks are more vulnerable to robbery today, in some ways, because they sit in one place and aren’t continuously on the move. Banks that use these security measures to combat robbery, though, will reduce their attractiveness to thieves and the yield thieves receive if they are robbed (LVG, 2019). Everything must be done, however, to ensure that all hands are on deck to fight the monster of robbery in the industry.
Change your route while delivering cash. When transporting money to and from the bank, carry it at different times along different routes. Change drivers frequently and don’t stop along the way when carrying cash (Wolfe, 2019). Bank workers need not to be dogmatic or static about their principles. If you demonstrate any act of laxity, instead of you being the thief catcher, you will end up being the victim. I want you to see catching a thief as being involved in the game of hide and seek; the smartest fellow usually carries the day. This must be well-implanted at the back of your mind.
In the same vein, workplace design plays a crucial role in helping officials to nab robbers. Maintain a workplace that is highly visible from the street. This makes your building less appealing to a potential robber and in case they want to try it, detection becomes much more possible. Make sure the interior is properly-lit and people from outside can have a full glare of the interior without hassle. Sensor lights can also make the lighting of the exterior be apt and of high standard. Signs, posters, and displays in the banking hall should not block the views of the customers and workers alike. Anywhere you think will be a potential hiding place for a robber should be cleared (Tasmania Police, 2019).
References
LVG (2019). 12 Security Measures Bank Use To Combat Robbery. Retrieved from https://www.liveviewgps.com/blog/12-security-measures-banks-use-to-combat-robbery/
Tasmania Police (2019).Robbery Prevention and Procedures. Retrieved from https://www.police.tas.gov.au/services-online/pamphlets-publications/robbery-prevention-and-procedures/
Wolfe, M (2019). How To Prevent A Bank Robbery. Retrieved from https://careertrend.com/how-to-prevent-a-bank-robbery-13648144.html