. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and the

Following a six-month crime spree in 1992, I was convicted of five armed bank robberies and served almost 8 years in Federal Prison. Now a Professional Speaker and Author, I share my past experiences with bankers to provide a look into the “mind of the enemy.” I would like to share that insight in connection with the escalating bank robbery problem in New York.

Having recently read the comments of Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) calling for replacement F.B.I. Agents to stem robberies, as well as state legislators considering the installation of security devices and/or creating a “separate” bank robbery charge, I can attest that none of the above will deter a would-be robber. The best deterrent is a group of alert, informed bank employees and must start with senior management support.

Having met and interviewed over three hundred convicted bank robbers (as well as once being in the business myself), I discovered some common threads that most bank robbers operate under. The first being that all banks are “cased” to some extent- whether it be walking by several times to get a feel for the layout, handing a teller a ten dollar bill and asking for a roll of quarters, or sitting down with a loan officer under the guise of being interested in a loan. Employees need to be keenly aware of their surroundings- suspicious activities, customers they do not recognize or anything out of the ordinary. Write down details and descriptions, greet unknown individuals with eye contact and engage them in conversation. No potential robber wants someone to get a good look at him or her. What appears to be good customer service can also be the best method of deterring a crime or recalling details that could ultimately lead to apprehension.

In addition, a male presence plays a large role in deterring a potential robber. Why choose an institution where someone may challenge them? A bank robber will always take the path of least resistance- always! If hiring a guard is cost prohibitive or not consistent with a “customer friendly” environment, make a conscious effort to hire more male tellers. At the very least, make a male presence felt on Fridays, when over 50% of all bank robberies take place.

The majority of bank robbers, I would venture to say 90%, are strung out on drugs, have a gambling debt or are out of work and at the end of their rope. Combine high unemployment with our country’s continuing preoccupation with drugs and the ease in which gambling can be accessed, we can only expect things to get worse before they get better. Bank robbery is here to stay.

Adding additional F.B.I. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and they

will deter a would-be robber. The best deterrent is a group of alert, informed bank employees and must start with senior management support.

Having met and interviewed over three hundred convicted bank robbers (as well as once being in the business myself), I discovered some common threads that most bank robbers operate under. The first being that all banks are “cased” to some extent- whether it be walking by several times to get a feel for the layout, handing a teller a ten dollar bill and asking for a roll of quarters, or sitting down with a loan officer under the guise of being interested in a loan. Employees need to be keenly aware of their surroundings- suspicious activities, customers they do not recognize or anything out of the ordinary. Write down details and descriptions, greet unknown individuals with eye contact and engage them in conversation. No potential robber wants someone to get a good look at him or her. What appears to be good customer service can also be the best method of deterring a crime or recalling details that could ultimately lead to apprehension.

In addition, a male presence plays a large role in deterring a potential robber. Why choose an institution where someone may challenge them? A bank robber will always take the path of least resistance- always! If hiring a guard is cost prohibitive or not consistent with a “customer friendly” environment, make a conscious effort to hire more male tellers. At the very least, make a male presence felt on Fridays, when over 50% of all bank robberies take place.

The majority of bank robbers, I would venture to say 90%, are strung out on drugs, have a gambling debt or are out of work and at the end of their rope. Combine high unemployment with our country’s continuing preoccupation with drugs and the ease in which gambling can be accessed, we can only expect things to get worse before they get better. Bank robbery is here to stay.

Adding additional F.B.I. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and the

surroundings- suspicious activities, customers they do not recognize or anything out of the ordinary. Write down details and descriptions, greet unknown individuals with eye contact and engage them in conversation. No potential robber wants someone to get a good look at him or her. What appears to be good customer service can also be the best method of deterring a crime or recalling details that could ultimately lead to apprehension.

In addition, a male presence plays a large role in deterring a potential robber. Why choose an institution where someone may challenge them? A bank robber will always take the path of least resistance- always! If hiring a guard is cost prohibitive or not consistent with a “customer friendly” environment, make a conscious effort to hire more male tellers. At the very least, make a male presence felt on Fridays, when over 50% of all bank robberies take place.

The majority of bank robbers, I would venture to say 90%, are strung out on drugs, have a gambling debt or are out of work and at the end of their rope. Combine high unemployment with our country’s continuing preoccupation with drugs and the ease in which gambling can be accessed, we can only expect things to get worse before they get better. Bank robbery is here to stay.

Adding additional F.B.I. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and the

hiring a guard is cost prohibitive or not consistent with a “customer friendly” environment, make a conscious effort to hire more male tellers. At the very least, make a male presence felt on Fridays, when over 50% of all bank robberies take place.

The majority of bank robbers, I would venture to say 90%, are strung out on drugs, have a gambling debt or are out of work and at the end of their rope. Combine high unemployment with our country’s continuing preoccupation with drugs and the ease in which gambling can be accessed, we can only expect things to get worse before they get better. Bank robbery is here to stay.

Adding additional F.B.I. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and the

. Agents will help only in the areas of apprehension and recovery and since over 90% of all bank robbers are apprehended anyway, why should this be an area of focus? Passing new and separate bank robbery charges will only add to our already overcrowded prisons, and the installation of security devices is a waste of money and only serves to alienate the legitimate customer.

When I speak to banking and credit union groups and associations on “robber proofing” their institutions, I make it clear that high security devices and bullet proof glass are not the answer. The answer lies within those who are on the front lines-their employees. They and they alone have the power to send a would-be robber down the road to consider another institution, one that offers a path of less resistance.

Troy Evans is a professional speaker and author who resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his dog Archibald. Troy travels the country delivering keynote presentations, and since his release from prison has taken the corporate and association platforms by storm. Overcoming adversity, adapting to change and pushing yourself to realize your full potential. Other speaker’s talk about these issues, Troy has walked them.

The Evans Group 3104 E. Camelback Road, #436 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-265-6855 Fax: 602-285-1474 troy@troyevans.com www.troyevans.com