Answer by Andy Zavoina:My recommendation would be to test your camera system. You need to do this anyway, periodically, so do it now.
Stand where a robber would and in one shot have a ball cap on, then no cap. Have a hoodie on, then no hoodie. Show them the images and ask which ones they feel would be more recognizable! Associated with that, if your cameras are a little high, they don't have to be repositioned to get good images and that can be a huge savings for the bank.
We show images regularly in our monthly Security Spotlight of criminals wearing hats, hoodies and sunglasses. There are even images of Santa robbing banks and at Halloween, masks should be off. Take a look here. BOL also offers the signs addressing this for sale in the Banker Store.
Answer by Dana Turner:You might also review the "SafeCatch" Robbery Suppression & Apprehension Program" for more ideas. Many institutions have also posted signs in the lobby that read, "This area is under video surveillance," provided that's really true, or you can give both your employees and your customers a false sense of security.
First published on BankersOnline.com 7/12/10