Hold Up Prevention

Call the police at once if you notice suspicious strangers loitering near or in your place of business.

• Never block the view into your store by crowding display windows. It is important to maintain visibility into your business establishment at all times.
  
• Secure your teller and cashier operations. Install barriers to keep unauthorized persons out of these areas.
  
• If practical, mark doorways at varying heights to allow proper identification of robber's height.
  
• Install a holdup alarm system.
  
• Install a timed delay switch to turn off exterior lights after your employees have gone for the night.
  
• Use two people to open and close your business. Establish a system of prearranged signals. One person should stay outside until the other gives the all clear signal.
  
• Keep cash on the premises to a minimum. Make frequent pickups of money from registers and make regular bank deposits.
  
• Do not establish a habitual routine when making bank deposits. Robbers will soon learn it.
  
• Keep the safe in your place of business locked at all times.
  
• Check the references of job applicants before you hire them.
  
• In the event you are contacted about an emergency at your business, and the call is of questionable validity, please verify the call with the police, before going to your business.
  
• Have frequent meetings with your employees in order to familiarize them with holdup prevention measures, which you have initiated.

If You Are Held Up

• Remain calm.
  
• Do not resist.
  
• Be identification conscious. Observe the holdup suspect carefully for future identification.
  
• Report the robbery immediately-dial 911 and don't hang up.
  
• If possible, protect the crime scene: do not let anyone disturb it. Wait for police.
  
• Cooperate with police. By doing as they request you will help solve the crime.