:: Crime Prevention Unit  

CHIEF'S MESSAGE

The crime of robbery is a constant threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens, visitors and the community at large.

Robbery can be a well-planned and executed operation or a chance crime of opportunity. Either way, victims suffer emotionally, physically, and nearly always materially.

Robbery can be prevented. There are precautions you can take to prevent or lessen your chances of becoming a robbery victim.

This information will alert you to danger signs and help prepare you for the possibility that you may come face-to-face with a robber.

Read this information carefully and practice robbery prevention. You and our community will be safer and happier because of your effort.

Sincerely,

John M. Souza
Chief of Police

ROBBERY PREVENTION TIPS

• Be alert to persons shopping for long periods of time.
• Be alert to persons delaying while others go ahead of them.
• Be alert to persons wanting to use the restrooms, or trying to mill around the back rooms.
• Be alert to persons asking questions about security alarms, number of employees, etc.
• Move your car to the front door before closing time. Keep your car locked at all times.
• Keep checks separated from currency at all times. Cancel all checks wit "deposit only" stamp at time of receipt.
• Do not keep large amounts of cash in the register. Extra money should be placed in a locked cage or deposited in a bank.

Be Prepared…Pre-Plan

Do not store cash in a cigar box under the counter. Even the amateur holdup men know enough to look there. If possible, have a couple of bills in the cash drawer that you retain permanently and keep a record of the serial numbers. This can aid identification greatly in case your property is recovered.

Apply colored paint, or tape, at 5' and 6' heights on the door jamb to assist in determining the suspect's height.

"Don't Make It Easy"

• Make sure the area is well–lighted on front, back, and sides.
• Keep all lights burning inside and out until you leave the building.
• Leave on a night light when the business is closed.
• Refrain from putting large signs or advertising material on the front doors. Leave about five feet on the right and left sides of the door and the front windows clear for police observation.
• Do not allow anyone into the building until the safe has been opened and changed distributed into the register drawers. Keep as little currency in the registers as possible at any given time.
• Do not count or display money openly, or in the presence of any person.
• Never turn your back on an open cash drawer.
• Remember: The thread that separates honestly from crime is "the need and the opportunity."

Be Alert…"Become Security Conscious"

A television set or a radio playing in the back room suggests that someone else may be present. Do not clutter windows with signs and displays that block viewing from the street. Keep the premises well lighted.

Persons acting as bank messengers should:

• Travel back and forth to the bank with someone else.
• Vary the route and not always go at a scheduled time.
• Discuss only business with the tellers. The next person in line may be getting familiar with your routine.
• Never approach a night depository while anyone else is there. Wait until they leave. In the event suspicious-appearing persons remain, call the police so the reasons for their behavior may be determined.

Do not set off a holdup alarm for a forgery or petty crime. This device is intended for a specific purpose. Police units respond to these alarms under emergency conditions and they should not be endangered unless the extra risk is justified.

Alarm switches should be placed at more than one location. All employees should be familiar with their use and locations. Alarms should be examined periodically to insure they are functioning properly.

Be careful of the answers you give to questions asked by strangers when they show an interest in the hours of operation, number of employees, or alarm systems.

If suspicious persons loiter around your place of business, notify the police. Be particularly alert at opening and closing times or during other than regular hours when someone seeks admission.

When reporting for work in the morning, one employee should enter and inspect the premises. After giving him sufficient time to do this, another employee can telephone and, by pre-arranged signal, the inside employee can indicate conditions are normal. Should the situation be irregular, he could vary the reply without arousing suspicions of any intruders, and the police can be summoned.

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IF YOU ARE HELD UP REMEMBER…

• Robbers usually are excited and may be provoked easily or might be under the influence of drugs. Don't be a hero; don't take chances. Money can be replaced; your life can't.
• Give the robber only what he demands.

OBSERVE CAREFULLY

• Take a good look at the suspects. Notice any details which will aid you to describe them and their mannerisms. When trying to determine age, height, weight, and appearance, make comparisons between them and yourself or people you know.
• Memorize peculiarities, such as tattoos, scars, prominent physical features, and try to determine if the robber is wearing a phony wig, mustache or beard.
• Note type and color of clothing worn, but keep in mind that clothes may be changed, so try to concentrate on physical characteristics.
• Watch to see whether they touch anything so you can preserve it for evidence. Fingerprints may be recovered from the items.
• Observe direction in which suspects leave. Obtain description of any vehicles they enter and WRITE DOWN THE LICENSE NUMBER. Save this for the police.
• Avoid defending yourself with a firearm when you are already facing a weapon. The odds would be against you. Do not resist unless absolutely certain that the resistance will be effective and safe.

DON'T TRY TO BE A HERO! IS YOUR MONEY WORTH MORE THAN YOUR LIFE?

Seems like an unnecessary question, doesn't it? Sadly enough, persons will take such risks. Some turn out to be losers. Robbery has become a more commonly committed offense in recent years. Criminals are bolder and their use of deadly weapons has increased.

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AFTER THE ROBBERS LEAVE

• Notify the police IMMEDIATELY at 911. Tell them you have been held up and be prepared to report… Location of the robbery. Be certain you give the exact address and the office or room number when necessary. Description of the suspect. License number and description of vehicles used and any other occupants. Direction taken.
• Do not touch anything yourself and lock the doors until the arrival of the police. Preserve any items the suspects might have touched. Prevent anyone from going into areas where the robbers may have been.
• Remember, at the time of your call, the police will have only the information you give them - be accurate. Save any note that may have been used and do not handle it unnecessarily or allow others to handle it.
• Direct your employees not to discuss the crime among themselves or with other witnesses until they have been interviewed by the police.
• Detain witnesses if possible - if not possible, obtain name, address, and telephone number, so police can talk to them later.

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WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE

Answer their questions and tell them only what YOU know. If an estimate is necessary to supply an answer, tell them you are estimating.

Do not exaggerate your experience or when describing what has been stolen.

Cooperate with the detectives assigned to the case by:

• Making yourself available for interview.
• Not being reluctant to identify the right suspects.
• Attending showups of suspects.
• Testifying in court when called upon to do so.

While this cooperation might not always result in recovery of your losses, you may be able to prevent other persons from becoming victims. Wouldn't you expect someone else to do the same for you?

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