NCJ Number
64123
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET ADVISES RETAIL MANAGERS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE THREAT OF ARMED ROBBERY. IT SUGGESTS PREVENTIVE MEASURES, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN CASE OF A ROBBERY, AND STEPS TO AID A SUSPECT'S APPREHENSION.
Abstract
MAINTAINING VISIBILITY OF THE STORE AREA AND THE CASH REGISTER IS AN IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE MEASURE AND CAN BE ACHIEVED BY INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR NIGHTTIME LIGHTING, MIRRORS, AND THE REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIVE DISPLAYS AND FURNITURE. A CASH CONTROL POLICY SHOULD LIMIT THE CASH ON HAND AND SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO CUSTOMERS. EXTRA MONEY CAN BE LOCKED IN HIDDEN STORAGE OR IN SAFES WHICH CANNOT BE OPENED WITH A SINGLE KEY. BANKING SHOULD BE DONE FREQUENTLY, BUT AT IRREGULAR TIMES, AND SERIAL NUMBERS OF LARGE BILLS SHOULD BE RECORDED. ALARMS THAT ARE SAFE TO ACTIVATE, SUCH AS A 'MONEY CLIP' INSIDE THE CASH REGISTER, ARE RECOMMENDED. TO AVOID HIRING OF A POTENTIAL ROBBER, EMPLOYERS SHOULD CAREFULLY SCREEN AND PHOTOGRAPH APPLICANTS. 'BAIT MONEY' WITH RECORDED SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE KEPT ON HAND, BUT USE OF WEAPONS OR PSEUDOSURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE BOOKLET ALSO PROVIDES TIPS FOR OBSERVING AND RECALLING THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROBBER AND STRESSES THAT, ABOVE ALL, ROBBERS SHOULD BE OBEYED WHILE THE ROBBERY IS IN PROGRESS. AFTER A ROBBERY, EMPLOYEES SHOULD TAKE THESE IMMEDIATE STEPS: CALL POLICE, SECURE THE PREMISES, PRESERVE EVIDENCE, RETAIN WITNESSES, AND AVOID DISCUSSION OF THE EVENT UNTIL THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVE. SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS, HOWEVER, IS THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST ROBBERY. DIAGRAMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.