Regarding the Credit Union Journal story headlined, "Suspects Drop $100,000 Getting Away After Navy FCU Holdup" (CU Journal, Sept. 21), at SAFE Credit Union we don't keep cash in our vaults. The money from the armoured car service is put in teller cash dispatch machines and ATMs. There has never been a robbery in our area with a teller cash machine. We use a risk matrix to determine which branches get bandit barriers.
The other lower-risk branches use card swipe readers at the door to admit members. We greet all members at the door and the greeters have instant access to recent robber photos to help identify possible casing suspects. We don't allow hats, hoods and sunglasses, which would disguise robbers or anyone who is casing our branch. We joined forces with all the local banks and credit unions to share robbery photos with ourselves and law enforcement.
Tellers keep less than $1,000 in their drawer. We know that big losses encourage more robberies. A $100,000 loss would be completely out of the question. It would mean poor robbery practices. Call us and we'll help you prevent robberies.
Henry Wirz, CEO
SAFE Credit Union
N. Highlands, Calif.
