Robberies Prompt Requests to Uncover

John S. Burnett, Associate Editor

Banks in Norwalk, Connecticut, were hit with a string of robberies beginning in May 2007. According to recent press reports, Norwalk bankers are joining others nationwide who are asking people to "uncover" when visiting bank offices.

The detective in charge of the local police department's investigation of the robberies told reporters that banks often try to deter robbers without using expensive changes in their branches. One of the techniques often used is "requesting that hats and sunglasses be taken off."

Felons are clearly aware that banks use surveillance cameras to identify bank robbers, bad check artists and other criminals. Of the 81 suspects added to BOL's August 2007 Bank Robbery Page, 80 percent are wearing hats, hoods or wigs in obvious attempts to thwart identification efforts.

Bankers have been making their offices less "robber-friendly" by posting signs asking that headgear and sunglasses be removed when entering their buildings.


Bank offices that post "No Hats, Hoods or Sunglasses" requests and politely ask people to "uncover" can realize the benefits of this practice in three ways --

• Individuals who comply are more readily recognizable, both by bank personnel and on security video recordings
• Individuals who don't comply call attention to themselves, alerting staff and customers to the possibility of a holdup
• Robbers who want neither to be recognized nor to call attention to themselves may select another bank target

A selection of "No Hats ... " signs is available in the BankersOnline Banker Store.

First published on BankersOnline.com 8/10/2007