MADISON, Wis.-Despite the economic downturn there has not been an uptick in credit union robberies this year, according to CUNA Mutual Group.
Indeed, the number of robberies in 2008 may dip below the number from 2007, according to the company's statistics.
Although media reports, including those in Credit Union Journal, have highlighted numerous robberies in recent months, CUNA Mutual Risk Manager Vince Wagner said that CU robberies typically are not seasonal.
"If you look at the numbers they don't support that credit union robberies are getting worse because of the holidays or the economy," Wagner suggested. "I've been in this business for a long time, and if you look at 10-year robbery numbers they tend to look like teeth on a saw-they go up and down. I would say we are looking at a normal year."
During the first 11 months of 2008, 287 credit union robberies were reported to CUNA Mutual, down from 349 in 2007, 434 in 2006, and 338 in 2005. Statistics are for CUNA Mutual-insured credit unions.
Wagner shared that robberies occasionally increase slightly during the fourth quarter, but the rise is not "statistically significant" to indicate a trend. He also said that robberies did not increase during 2000-2002, when the last economic downturn occurred.
Wagner acknowledged that recent news stories and "national numbers" may indicate robberies are up. But if that trend is occurring, it has "yet to move into our market."
In an October news release, the FBI reported a minor increase in bank robberies for the first quarter of 2008. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2008, there were 1,604 bank robberies of financial institutions, 34 more robberies than occurred during the last quarter of 2007.
Whether CU robbery numbers are headed up or not, Wagner advised CUs to take the following steps:
* Conduct at least one formal training session on what to do before, during and after a robbery. Training should include the entire staff and management. Reinforce policies each quarter.
* CUNA Mutual policyholders can find training and education materials on CUNA Mutual's website under the "Credit Union Protection Resource Center."
* When a robbery occurs, employees must focus on the safety of the members and employees and comply with the robber. Work toward getting the robber out the door as quickly as possible.
* Always be observant. Pay attention to anyone in line who is nervous or seems "out of place."
* Enforce the no hats and sunglasses policy.
* Understand how local law enforcement will respond during a robbery. "Years ago law enforcement would come inside the credit union when an alarm was activated. Now they don't come in until they know it's safe to do so. They don't want to create a hostage situation."
* Ask law enforcement to assist with annual training. Learn if there is a specific all-clear signal to give police officers to let them know the robber has left. Understand how to preserve evidence, such as fingerprints on the member service counter.
For additional info: www.fbi.gov; www.cunamutual.com.
