How Important Are Security Guards for Banks
Since the first bank robbery in 1776 in Pennsylvania, the numbers have been on the rise. The following facts reinforce the above idea. Some of these include:
- Bank robberies occur way more than they are given credit for; 2 in one hundred robberies is a bank robbery.
- Bank robberies have a 60% chance of being successful.
- Robberies at the bank had a net average of approximately $4,300 whereas, other commercial robberies were worth $1,200.
- Approximately 11 banks get robbed daily.
It is evident that despite the presence of guards at bank entrances, robberies increase steadily every day. The conclusion is that bank security and security guards are not mutually inclusive. In most cases, an armed security guard results in violence than vice versa.
Bank security guards do not directly prevent theft. How then do security guards ensure the safety of bank customers? These ways include the following:
Greeting the Customers at the Door
A guard ought to have exceptional interpersonal skills to detect any particular body language at the entrance. Most bank robbers are jittery and restless; the guard can pick on these tendencies and reinforce interrogation procedures. Furthermore, while frisking the customers, they may come across a firearm and disarm the potential robber.
Greeting customers is an effortless means of analyzing their faces if the guard wants to identify a suspect. Besides, the security guard ushers the customers into the bank. Sometimes the guard directs them to their respective tellers.
Conduct Regular Patrols
It is the security guards’ job description to patrol the premises and report any uncanny activities. During their scouting escapades, they may come across suspicious people and stop their plans. The bank security guard should predict bank robberies before they happen.
These patrols should include the parking lot because most thieves park their getaway cars there for convenience. Whenever a bank security guard notices such a situation, they should contact the police. Leave nothing to chance; bank robbers get away with the stolen money too frequently.
Call the Police in Dire Scenarios
Bank security guards have the mandate to protect all the customers and employees during a robbery. They should make an effort to contact law enforcement officers and increase the chances of survival for their colleagues.
Generally, guards ought to make regular reports to both management and police when things are amiss. Failure to do so might result in their vilification at the end of the tragedy.
Undertake a 24-Hour Surveillance
Whenever a bank security guard is not welcoming the customers, they should study the surveillance from the CCTV. It is a common practice for security guards to fall asleep due to boredom. However, banks are quite sensitive as they hold the assets of many civilians.
Failure of a bank to protect itself from burglars results in its loss of credibility. Therefore, a guard that takes his/her job lightly provides an opportunity for banks to render themselves unreliable. A security guard has to analyze past surveillance while not missing the present.
Bank security guards are not capable of stopping a robbery alone. However, they can prevent robbery incidents by paying attention to details. Activities such as ushering in customers should be a platform to assess their body language.