Question & Answer

Question: You made a reference in one of your speeches about a "Morning Glory" robbery. What is that?

Answer: A robbery that takes place before or during the office opening in the morning is called a Morning Glory Robbery. I suppose it was named that because a morning glory blooms first thing in the morning.

When opening procedures are followed and properly done, it takes two people to open a financial institution office. One sits in a locked car with motor running, ready to leave quickly to get assistance if it is needed. The other person checks for signs of break-in, and then goes in and checks the premises to be sure there is not a robber waiting inside.

Once satisfied that all is well, most security officers recommend the person inside go back outside to signal that all is well, proving that they are not in danger. Both people then go into the office, and after the first two are in, no one else uses a key to go in. They should be let in by those already inside in after being "cleared".

Copyright © 1994 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 4, No. 11, 6/94