Morning Glory Robbery

AN OLD, FAMILIAR CRIME IS REAPPEARING
In an earlier edition of Bankers' Hotline, we reported that robberies are on the rise in 1990. Experts feel this trend is not going to lessen in 1991.

Not only are robberies becoming more frequent and more violent, but we are also aware that our old nemesis, the morning glory robbery, is making a comeback.

The morning glory robbery got its name from the fact that it happens first thing in the morning-before the banking office is opened. Either the robber breaks into the office undetected, or hides in the office the day before and waits overnight for the members of the staff to arrive the next morning.

In either case, morning glory robberies are extremely dangerous because they involve holding hostages during a long period of time.

The best way to avoid this type of crime is to prevent it. How you open your office in the morning might alter the decision of someone watching who intends to rob you. If an office is opened properly, taking all safeguards to maintain safety and protection, you are much less likely to encourage a morning glory robber.

Compare
How does the following recommended procedure for opening a banking office compare with the way you open yours?

The first person to arrive in the parking lot of a free standing office does not go into the office. He/she stays inside the parked car, motor running, doors locked, windows up, waiting for the second person to arrive. When the second person arrives, he/she parks their car, walks around the office building to make sure there has been no forcible entry. If possible, they look in the windows, checking for entry.

This second person then opens the door with their key, locking it behind them when inside. He/she checks through the facility, making sure no one is hiding in closets, under desks or counters, in storerooms, etc. When satisfied that the office is empty, the all clear signal is set.

The second person then goes out the door of the office, locking the door behind them, walks to the far side of the car (which is still running, windows and doors locked) and informs the first person that all is indeed clear. The first person then parks the car, and both individuals go inside the office, locking the door behind them.

No one else uses a key to open that door! They are admitted from the inside after the people on the inside are satisfied through code questions that the person seeking admittance is not under duress. If you can see the person on the outside, you will be able to immediately determine that they are alone, and should be let in. If you cannot see the person, you need to ask a question such as "What is the manager's name?" The response for safe entry could be "Mary Smith." A response such as "Mrs. Smith" would alert the person inside that all was not well, and they could delay opening the door and endangering everyone.

Is this the way you are opening your office?

Too often security officers hear from managers, "I can get more done in the hour I'm in the office alone in the morning than I can the rest of the day! I need that time in order to get organized and plan my day, and clean up what was left from yesterday!"

If an office is opened by one person alone, there are still extra steps you can take to add a measure of safety to the opening.

For instance, what is your all clear signal? If I watch your office for a few days, will I be able to tell from across the street what it is? And if a morning glory robber is waiting for you when you go into the office alone, will he/she know what it is and insist that you set it so that the other members of the staff will come right on in?

Add a protective step. Set a second safe to enter signal-inside the office-where it can't be seen from the outside. For instance, remove a picture from a wall until the last staff member is in. A vase laid on its side on a desk right inside the door, or a soda bottle on the floor could be used as a second signal. Anything that tells other staff people entering that the all clear signal showing outside is truthful.

If the second all clear signal is not set, the second person needs to go back out-quickly-and run for help.

The reason is simple. One hostage has a better chance of surviving a morning glory robbery than two or three. This is not a case of the "more the merrier!" The danger to each of you increases as each staff member comes in. Even if you happen to be the one inside, you are better off being the only one.

We have enjoyed a mini-vacation from robberies in the past few years. The Federal Bureau of Investigation tells us that our vacation is definitely over.

Every precaution you can take in the coming months will decrease your chances of being robbed. Make sure a morning glory robber casing your institution decides your office is too tough!

Copyright © 1990 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 1, No. 12, 12/90