ROBBERY ROBBERY PREVENTION AND PREVENTION AND

AWARENESSAWARENESSTRAININGTRAINING

Palm Beach County SheriffPalm Beach County SheriffSheriff Ric BradshawSheriff Ric Bradshaw

Robbery prevention and awareness trainingRobbery prevention and awareness training

This program is a complete and detailed look at This program is a complete and detailed look at the the Crime of Robbery Crime of Robbery and how it effects your and how it effects your business. It is divided into (5) areas of training;business. It is divided into (5) areas of training;

1.1. What is a Robbery?What is a Robbery?2.2. Characteristics of RobberyCharacteristics of Robbery3.3. What to do During a RobberyWhat to do During a Robbery4.4. What to do After a RobberyWhat to do After a Robbery5.5. Robbery Prevention Techniques and objectivesRobbery Prevention Techniques and objectives

What is a ROBBERYWhat is a ROBBERY Florida State Statute 812.13Florida State Statute 812.13

“ “ROBBERY” means the taking of money or other ROBBERY” means the taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or the owner of the money or deprive the person or the owner of the money or other property, when in the course of the taking other property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.putting in fear.

Characteristics of RobberyCharacteristics of Robbery

Robbery is the #1 source of violence from strangersRobbery is the #1 source of violence from strangers Robbery is increasing faster than any other crimeRobbery is increasing faster than any other crime Weapons most likely to be used in Robbery to your Weapons most likely to be used in Robbery to your

businessbusiness SURPRISE AND CONFRONTATION – 2 key elementsSURPRISE AND CONFRONTATION – 2 key elements Robbery must be executed Robbery must be executed RAPIDLY!RAPIDLY! Robbery is a planned crimeRobbery is a planned crime 50% involves more than one ROBBER50% involves more than one ROBBER

Characteristics of RobberyCharacteristics of RobberySocio-economics status of Business Socio-economics status of Business

Neighborhood Neighborhood is not a factor!is not a factor!Attractiveness of business to ROBBERS Attractiveness of business to ROBBERS

can be measuredcan be measuredMore attractive the business = more More attractive the business = more

frequently Robbedfrequently RobbedThe DOLLARS lost from Robbery does not The DOLLARS lost from Robbery does not

hurt the business…Employees, customers hurt the business…Employees, customers and business status are hurtand business status are hurt

Characteristics of Robbery:Characteristics of Robbery: When are you most likely to be When are you most likely to be

Robbed?Robbed?

Night time crime –OPEN & CLOSENight time crime –OPEN & CLOSE

ANY AND EVERY DAY OF THE WEEKANY AND EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK

More frequently during the fallMore frequently during the fall

Characteristics of Robbery:Characteristics of Robbery:Why are you likely to be RobbedWhy are you likely to be Robbed

Business appears an easy target!Business appears an easy target! Cash on handCash on hand Victim (clerk/teller/salesperson) ALONEVictim (clerk/teller/salesperson) ALONE Good Get-A-Way PotentialGood Get-A-Way Potential No Alarm or Not publicizedNo Alarm or Not publicized Poor lighting after DarkPoor lighting after Dark Street View ObscuredStreet View Obscured Business isolated from public/neighborsBusiness isolated from public/neighbors

Characteristics of a ROBBERCharacteristics of a ROBBER Robbers are usually MaleRobbers are usually Male Majority are under 25 years of ageMajority are under 25 years of age 60% Black 39% White60% Black 39% White Repeat offenders or record of violenceRepeat offenders or record of violence Will ROB for small amount and repeat offense to Will ROB for small amount and repeat offense to

accumulate a larger amountaccumulate a larger amount Most business ROBBERS are strangers to their Most business ROBBERS are strangers to their

victimvictim Use threat of force and violence to neutralize Use threat of force and violence to neutralize

resistance of victimresistance of victim

What to do During a RobberyWhat to do During a Robbery

TAKE NO ACTION TO JEOPARDIZE TAKE NO ACTION TO JEOPARDIZE YOUR SAFETYYOUR SAFETY

#1 GOAL IS TO GET THE ROBBER OUT #1 GOAL IS TO GET THE ROBBER OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SURVIVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SURVIVE THE ROBBERY WITH NO INJURYTHE ROBBERY WITH NO INJURY

What to do During a RobberyWhat to do During a Robbery

Cooperate with the RobberCooperate with the Robber Give them exactly what they wantGive them exactly what they want WEAPONS or implied weapons should be WEAPONS or implied weapons should be

treated as REAL and LOADEDtreated as REAL and LOADED Do Not make loud noises or sudden movesDo Not make loud noises or sudden moves Give bait/decoy money, even if told not to!Give bait/decoy money, even if told not to! Try to alert other employees, use “Code Words”Try to alert other employees, use “Code Words” ACTIVATE ALARM A.S.A.P., but safely!ACTIVATE ALARM A.S.A.P., but safely!

What to do During a Robbery:What to do During a Robbery:

Carefully observe the Carefully observe the ROBBER, make eye ROBBER, make eye contact and mental notes contact and mental notes on appearanceon appearance

Install and use height Install and use height markersmarkers

Look for accomplicesLook for accomplices

What to do During a RobberyWhat to do During a Robbery

Observe and Identify Observe and Identify WeaponWeaponRemember – consider Remember – consider all weapons real and all weapons real and loaded!loaded!Make mental notes of Make mental notes of weapon- TYPE,SIZE weapon- TYPE,SIZE and COLORand COLOR

What to do During a RobberyWhat to do During a Robbery Observe and Identify Vehicle and Direction of Observe and Identify Vehicle and Direction of

TravelTravel

ColorColor MakeMake ModelModel Old or NewOld or New License Plate (State, Color, Number)License Plate (State, Color, Number) Unusual Characteristics or Body DamageUnusual Characteristics or Body Damage Direction of TravelDirection of Travel

What to do After the RobberyWhat to do After the Robbery

IMMEDIATELY CALL THE POLICEIMMEDIATELY CALL THE POLICE

911911

What to do After a RobberyWhat to do After a Robbery

DO NOT CALL:DO NOT CALL: YOUR MANAGER / STORE OWNER / STORE SECURITYYOUR MANAGER / STORE OWNER / STORE SECURITY YOUR FAMILYYOUR FAMILY NON-EMERGENCY OR ADMINISTRATION LINENON-EMERGENCY OR ADMINISTRATION LINE LOCAL OFFICE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS OR SUBSTATIONLOCAL OFFICE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS OR SUBSTATION CRIME PREVENTION SECTION OR OFFICERCRIME PREVENTION SECTION OR OFFICER YOUR ALARM COMPANYYOUR ALARM COMPANY

UNTIL YOU NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT VIA UNTIL YOU NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT VIA 9-1-1, AND THE OPERATOR HAS GIVEN YOU 9-1-1, AND THE OPERATOR HAS GIVEN YOU

PERMISSION TO HANG UP THE PHONEPERMISSION TO HANG UP THE PHONE

What to tell the 9-1-1 operatorWhat to tell the 9-1-1 operator ““We have just been Robbed”We have just been Robbed” ““A Robbery has just occurred to our business”A Robbery has just occurred to our business” Identify YourselfIdentify Yourself Stay on the PhoneStay on the Phone Answer Questions about the RobberyAnswer Questions about the Robbery

– Descriptions of RobbersDescriptions of Robbers– WeaponsWeapons– InjuriesInjuries– How long agoHow long ago– VehiclesVehicles– Direction of travelDirection of travel

What to do After a Robbery:What to do After a Robbery:Protect to Crime SceneProtect to Crime Scene

Lock all the doorsLock all the doors Calmly tell customers a Robbery has just Calmly tell customers a Robbery has just

occurredoccurred Stop all business transactionsStop all business transactions Ask all witnesses to stay until Police arriveAsk all witnesses to stay until Police arrive DO NOT touch anything in the Robbery areaDO NOT touch anything in the Robbery area Curious people can destroy EVIDENCECurious people can destroy EVIDENCE Do Not allow customers, friends, media into Do Not allow customers, friends, media into

business until Law Enforcement arrivesbusiness until Law Enforcement arrives

What to do After the Robbery:What to do After the Robbery:Record ObservationsRecord Observations

Use SUSPECT ID CHARTUse SUSPECT ID CHART

Do Not compare observations with Do Not compare observations with other witnessesother witnesses

Write down exactly what you rememberWrite down exactly what you remember

Robbery Prevention TechniquesRobbery Prevention TechniquesBe Alert to Suspicious CustomersBe Alert to Suspicious Customers

Robbers usually “case” their targetRobbers usually “case” their target Loitering in store or parking lotLoitering in store or parking lot Early shoppers? Tries to keep you later?Early shoppers? Tries to keep you later? Acts nervous or “just not right”Acts nervous or “just not right” Same car keeps driving by, parked outside for a long Same car keeps driving by, parked outside for a long

periodperiod Write down a description of suspicious persons or Write down a description of suspicious persons or

vehiclesvehicles Make sure camera system is workingMake sure camera system is working Call Law EnforcementCall Law Enforcement

Robbery Prevention Techniques:Robbery Prevention Techniques:Fight Crime with Visibility and LightsFight Crime with Visibility and Lights

NEVER block the view into your businessNEVER block the view into your business Cashier area should be easily seen from outsideCashier area should be easily seen from outside Allow employees to see entire store, low Allow employees to see entire store, low

displays, clear partitions, convex mirrorsdisplays, clear partitions, convex mirrors Keep all entrances, exits and parking areas well Keep all entrances, exits and parking areas well

litlit NEVER open or close in the DARK! Leave lights NEVER open or close in the DARK! Leave lights

on inside and out after closingon inside and out after closing

Robbery Prevention techniques:Robbery Prevention techniques:Good Employee Hiring TechniquesGood Employee Hiring Techniques

Robbers can be past employeesRobbers can be past employeesComplete application processComplete application processPhoto-copy of Driver’s License- Photo IDPhoto-copy of Driver’s License- Photo IDPhoto-copy of Social Security CardPhoto-copy of Social Security CardPhoto all employees Photo all employees

– Discourages dishonest employeesDiscourages dishonest employees– Assist law Enforcement with IDAssist law Enforcement with ID

Robbery prevention techniques:Robbery prevention techniques:Practice Good Cash Handling Practice Good Cash Handling

Armored car pick-up, especially during busy Armored car pick-up, especially during busy timestimes

Cash registers away from door and at least arms Cash registers away from door and at least arms length from customerslength from customers

Lock all drawers and safes when not in useLock all drawers and safes when not in use Restrict customers from employee areas and Restrict customers from employee areas and

restrict unnecessary employees from office restrict unnecessary employees from office areasareas

Keep office and money handling area Keep office and money handling area locked at locked at all times!all times!

Robbery Prevention techniques:Robbery Prevention techniques:Practice Good Cash HandlingPractice Good Cash Handling

Keep cash on hand at a minimumKeep cash on hand at a minimumNever count in publicNever count in publicInstall a drop safeInstall a drop safeFrequent Bank DepositsFrequent Bank Deposits

– Vary routineVary routine– Use 2 peopleUse 2 people– Conceal bagsConceal bags– Drop during daylight hoursDrop during daylight hours

Robbery Prevention Techniques:Robbery Prevention Techniques:Opening and ClosingOpening and Closing

Opening:Opening:

use two peopleuse two people Check surroundings for suspicious peopleCheck surroundings for suspicious people Check parking lot for suspicious vehiclesCheck parking lot for suspicious vehicles Check business for signs of break in, never enter, Check business for signs of break in, never enter,

always call policealways call police Use visible door, not hidden entranceUse visible door, not hidden entrance All employees lock themselves in until the store opensAll employees lock themselves in until the store opens NEVER OPEN EARLY FOR ANYONE!NEVER OPEN EARLY FOR ANYONE!

Robbery Prevention techniques:Robbery Prevention techniques:Opening and Closing Opening and Closing

Closing:Closing:

Lock all doors at closing hourLock all doors at closing hour Never open after hoursNever open after hours Check entire building for suspicious/hiding peopleCheck entire building for suspicious/hiding people Pleasantly escort last customers to the door and lock it Pleasantly escort last customers to the door and lock it

behind thembehind them Use two peopleUse two people Follow opening safety rules in reverseFollow opening safety rules in reverse If called back after closing, let someone know you are If called back after closing, let someone know you are

going and verify all Police initiated callsgoing and verify all Police initiated calls

Robbery Prevention Techniques:Robbery Prevention Techniques:AlarmsAlarms

Different from Burglar alarmsDifferent from Burglar alarms EMPLOYEE EMPLOYEE activatedactivated Alerts Police Alerts Police Deterrent to Robbery when existence is Deterrent to Robbery when existence is

advertisedadvertised Easy access to activateEasy access to activate All employees should be trained to use all All employees should be trained to use all

security systemssecurity systems Management should be responsible for Management should be responsible for

maintenance of security systemmaintenance of security system

Robbery Prevention BenefitsRobbery Prevention Benefits

Reduce incidents of RobberyReduce incidents of RobberyMakes a safer place to work and shopMakes a safer place to work and shopEnhance Public and Internal ImageEnhance Public and Internal ImageReduce Employee TurnoverReduce Employee TurnoverEnhance Sales and ProfitsEnhance Sales and ProfitsLeadership Role in Crime PreventionLeadership Role in Crime Prevention

Thank YouThank YouPlease forward this life saving message to all your Please forward this life saving message to all your

friends and familyfriends and family..