Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Never Assume a Bomb is Fake
It's true. Most of the time, when a robber says he has a bomb, or shows what is supposed to be a bomb, it's really not one. It may be an alarm clock with some empty paper towel rolls tied on to pose as dynamite. Perhaps it's a Mutant Ninja Turtle lunchbox with nothing but a half-eaten cheese sandwich inside. It's more likely than not that it's something other than an explosive device.
A recent robbery, however, drives home the point that you can never assume a bomb is fake. Until law enforcement authorities have ruled the device or package a non-threat, you must treat it as if it could detonate.
A few weeks ago, a robber walked into a Colorado Springs credit union with a backpack on, removed what he said was a bomb, and placed it on the counter while demanding cash. After grabbing his loot, he left the device, about the size of a 12 ounce cup, on the counter and made his getaway. Bomb technicians determined it was real and disabled the unit before it could explode.
Remind your staff of these basic premises: assume a robber has a gun if he says he does; assume any gun is loaded; assume the idiot will shoot, if provoked; assume whatever weird device the bandit is wagging around will explode if given the opportunity. That's the way you stay alive.
Checked your robbery stats lately?
Bank robbery is a crime of opportunity. Some bandits simply hear a new story about a heist and think it might be easy. Evidently, a few of their synapses aren't firing, as they're failing to factor in FBI agents on their tail, federal prosecution, time in the slammer. For other individuals, it's a career choice. They are the repeaters, the serial robbers who just can't seem to quit.
Some law enforcement agents believe that the widespread methamphetamine problem is fueling a surge in bank robberies in certain jurisdictions, but the motivations of the individual robbers are generally as unique as the robbers themselves, and they come in all ages, sizes, ethnicities, backgrounds and genders. The FBI recently noted that there had been 125 bank robberies in the Denver area by the first part of July. The total for the area for the entire previous year was just 151, indicating a huge increase year to date. Chicago FBI officials have indicated they are seeing an increase in violent, takeover robberies.
Have you kept track of the trends in your area and are you taking appropriate preventive measures? If robberies are up in your area, it's time to reinforce employee training, test your camera system, get rid of overused video tapes, consider posting a "No Hats, No sunglasses" sign. If the level of violence is increasing in heists in your area, review procedures. Test your alarms. Trim your hedges. Reinforce the importance of following proper opening and closing procedures.
It's true. Most of the time, when a robber says he has a bomb, or shows what is supposed to be a bomb, it's really not one. It may be an alarm clock with some empty paper towel rolls tied on to pose as dynamite. Perhaps it's a Mutant Ninja Turtle lunchbox with nothing but a half-eaten cheese sandwich inside. It's more likely than not that it's something other than an explosive device.
A recent robbery, however, drives home the point that you can never assume a bomb is fake. Until law enforcement authorities have ruled the device or package a non-threat, you must treat it as if it could detonate.
A few weeks ago, a robber walked into a Colorado Springs credit union with a backpack on, removed what he said was a bomb, and placed it on the counter while demanding cash. After grabbing his loot, he left the device, about the size of a 12 ounce cup, on the counter and made his getaway. Bomb technicians determined it was real and disabled the unit before it could explode.
Remind your staff of these basic premises: assume a robber has a gun if he says he does; assume any gun is loaded; assume the idiot will shoot, if provoked; assume whatever weird device the bandit is wagging around will explode if given the opportunity. That's the way you stay alive.
Checked your robbery stats lately?
Bank robbery is a crime of opportunity. Some bandits simply hear a new story about a heist and think it might be easy. Evidently, a few of their synapses aren't firing, as they're failing to factor in FBI agents on their tail, federal prosecution, time in the slammer. For other individuals, it's a career choice. They are the repeaters, the serial robbers who just can't seem to quit.
Some law enforcement agents believe that the widespread methamphetamine problem is fueling a surge in bank robberies in certain jurisdictions, but the motivations of the individual robbers are generally as unique as the robbers themselves, and they come in all ages, sizes, ethnicities, backgrounds and genders. The FBI recently noted that there had been 125 bank robberies in the Denver area by the first part of July. The total for the area for the entire previous year was just 151, indicating a huge increase year to date. Chicago FBI officials have indicated they are seeing an increase in violent, takeover robberies.
Have you kept track of the trends in your area and are you taking appropriate preventive measures? If robberies are up in your area, it's time to reinforce employee training, test your camera system, get rid of overused video tapes, consider posting a "No Hats, No sunglasses" sign. If the level of violence is increasing in heists in your area, review procedures. Test your alarms. Trim your hedges. Reinforce the importance of following proper opening and closing procedures.
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