Robbery is one of the most terrifying crimes that can occur and is a potential threat to any business. Robbery is any situation in which violence, or the threat of violence, is used to extort or take by force property or money.

Having and practicing a robbery prevention program is vital to the security of any business. The safety of yourself, your fellow employees and your customers is too important to leave to chance. Experience has proven that having well-trained personnel who follow such prevention programs can greatly reduce the threat of robbery.

• Motivation – Something motivates the criminal to commit an offense.
• Capability – An individual’s ability to commit a crime successfully is increased when a weapon is used.
• Opportunity – The environment and circumstances are right for the criminal to attempt a robbery.
  

Little can be done about the first two, so concentrate on reducing opportunity.

Risk Avoidance–Stop Things Before They Start
A stereotype or description of someone who might commit a robbery does not exist. It may be someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, in need of money to support their habit. It may be a person who wants to enter a street gang but has to commit a crime to qualify. It may even be a person who is just down on their luck (unemployed or under pressure) who doesn’t see an alternative and won’t break and enter because they don’t know how to get rid of stolen goods. However, a number of simple precautions can be taken to help significantly reduce the chances of a robbery occurring at your establishment.

General Guidelines

• Keep the store/office clean, uncluttered and active to discourage potential robbers.
• Do not allow display changes that block the view of the cash register from the outside.
• Be suspicious of anyone loitering outside.
• Greet each person as they come in, looking them directly in the eyes. A robber doesn’t want attention.
• Maintain cash register limits by establishing a money drop system and advertise this fact.
• Marked money (bait money) should be in all denominations.
• Never leave the cash drawer unattended and lock it when away.
• Determine possible hiding places outside, as well as possible escape routes.
• Keep alert at all times; be aware of what’s going on outside the store.
• Perimeter and parking lot lights should be on at dusk.
• Ensure the premises has adequate lighting both inside and outside.

• Leave the cash drawer open at the end of the day to show it is empty.
• Make daily deposits but don’t have a specific routine – varyyour routes and times.
• Don’t make deposits after dark.
• Place the bank bag in a plain bag and don’t display it openly.
• Don’t go alone.
• Take a car or consider using an armored pick-up service.

Staying Smart, Staying Safe– During the Robbery
A robbery in progress is virtually impossible to diffuse. With people around, emotions running high and a weapon involved, it is far wiser to apply some ground rules and common sense to ensure no one gets hurt.

• Stay calm and cooperate fully.
• Consider all firearms to be real.
• Be aware of a second suspect helping during the crime.
• Keep all your movements short and smooth; the longer things take, the more nervous a robber becomes.
• Don’t make sudden moves.
• Inform the robber about any potential surprises (for instance, people in the back room who may not know a robbery is in progress and walk out suddenly).
• Inform the robber of any movement you have to make that may seem out of the ordinary and why.
• Make sure the robber gets the marked money.
• If the robber hands you a note, try to keep it but don’t handle it more than you have to.

Hair color and length
Eye color
Tattoos/Scars
Jewelry
Right or left handed
Type of weapon
Height
Weight
Any speech peculiarities
Direction of escape
Make, model or license of escape car or any other description (severe rust, fresh damage)

After the Robbery–Helping the Police
After a robbery, you still have to remain calm. A lot of things can be done that may help police apprehend the criminal later. Set off the alarm to alert police immediately. Call the police as well and wait on the line to give information to responding units.

• Direction of travel
• Time of incident
• Weapon used
• Description of suspect(s) and vehicle
  

Never follow a robber yourself.

• Lock the doors.
• Maintain a supply of description forms. Fill them out while waiting for the police. Have everyone in the store do this. Don’t compare notes – just do it yourself.
• Have all witnesses remain at the scene. If they refuse, ask them their names and addresses and record this information.
• Notify management or appropriate supervisor.
• Protect the crime scene by keeping witnesses and employees away from the actual area where the robbery occurred.
• Prepare a list of stolen items for police.
• Answer police questions as accurately as possible.
• Cooperate with investigators by making employees available for interviews, suspect identification and presenting evidence in court procedures.
• Don’t re-open the store until police are finished, and you feel ready to do so.

Often victims find this is one experience for which they are not prepared, and they don't know where to turn for help. The Sonoma County Probation Department runs a Victim Assistance Center that provides a variety of services.

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