WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications (Edited) September 24, 2003: A recent rash of bank robberies in Westchester has prompted the county’s new Commissioner of Public Safety to propose a crime-fighting partnership with police and banks to help prevent robberies and protect the public and bank employees.

Commissioner Thomas Belfiore said part of that strategy is to make it harder to rob banks and easier to catch robbers.

“There has been an alarming increase in the number of bank robberies, and we believe that this strategy will help the banking community deter these crimes. We are also offering some suggestions on how bank employees can provide better and more timely information to help law enforcement with their investigations,’’ said Belfiore.

Belfiore wrote six banks suggesting a series of steps they can take to discourage attempted robberies and catch them faster.Belfiore recommended that banks develop a training program for employees as well as create policy on what actions should be taken in the event of a robbery. Banks contacted include CitiBank, JP Morgan Chase, M&T Bank, Bank of New York, Wachovia and HSBC.  The Department of Public Safety is in the process of setting up meetings with bank officials.

In the letter, Belfiore recommended that banks:

• Provide direct branch telephone numbers to local police and the department of public safety to speed communication in the event of a robbery.

• Train employees to trigger alarms and security cameras before suspects leave the bank and call 911 immediately to provide a detailed description of the robbers and the direction of flight. 

• Limit the amount of currency given. Whenever possible tellers should retain the demand note and minimize contamination of the evidence and crime scene. 

• Employ security guards, customer service representatives or greeters to address customers as they enter the bank. This practice has been found to deter robberies at some banking institutions.

• Establish a cross-institutional e-mail network so banks can communicate electronically about robberies and exchange suspect information.

• Check video surveillance systems to ensure proper camera alignment and change film regularly. Consider upgrading video quality. Review bank lighting to make sure it does not interfere with video recording. Make sure at least one camera is located at each entrance and install height markers at all doorways so police can get an estimate of perpetrators’ height.

• Place signs prominently indicating that customers will be photographed.

• Review floor plans to ensure employee views are unobstructed.

 “While the banks may be concerned about the loss of money, I am particularly concerned about protecting the bank employees and the customers,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “If we can help employees become more aware of steps they can take to prevent robberies, everyone will be a lot safer.’’