What CUs do to thwart robberies

MADISON, Wis. (6/4/01)--With Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics saying serious crime is stagnant and other statistics showing robberies are on the rise in credit unions, News Now asked readers to tell what they're doing for security measures. Quick Question is created by CUNA Research Online survey for News Now.

More than half (57%) of the credit unions responding to the informal online Quick Question survey last week say they haven't been robbed.

Of the almost 43% of credit unions that were robbed, many implemented new security measures as a result of the robbery.

Surveillance cameras and robbery training were by far the most effective security measures taken.

In 1999, CUNA Mutual responded to 240 credit union robberies. In 2000, that number jumped to 298. So far this year, credit union robberies are on track to surpass their 2000 numbers. As of May 31, 162 robberies were reported to CUNA Mutual in 2001, compared with 132 for January through May 2000 (News Now June 1).

What can credit unions do? Most importantly, credit union managers should conduct a cash-flow analysis, Rich Woldt, senior risk management specialist for CUNA Mutual, told News Now. Each teller drawer should be stocked only with the necessary cash for the day.

Credit union managers should increase the amount of regular robbery training they provide employees. Employees should be trained to watch for suspicious people; heed the alarm system's warning lights so they don't walk in on a crime in progress; and to do nothing to try to stop the robber, explained Woldt.

After a robbery, employees should lock the doors and preserve the evidence. The credit union needs to prepare them for the aftermath as well. Woldt notes that regular training helps employees maintain a sense of control during the incident.