What is a Robbery, and Tips to Avoid being a Victim of One

WHAT IS A ROBBERY:
Robbery is defined by the US department of Justice as: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody or control from a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
This is different from mere theft, where force is not used against you personally, but objects are stolen. In short: Theft happens to your property. Robbery happens to you.

In theft your any damage will occur to the item stolen or other property (viz, your door kicked in by a burglar). With robbery the threat of harm is to you.

A pick pocket (who takes your wallet out of your purse) is not committing robbery, he is committing theft. Someone who walks up and puts a gun in your face and demands your purse is committing robbery. In a robbery, you are put in danger. This is why robbery is deemed a more serious crime. IF you are lucky, you will only be offered the threat of violence.


Why is Avoidance Best?
It might require you to take extra steps, it might even require you to hang up your cell phone and return to where you came from, but why is avoidance the best option?


Who's Going To Be Robbing You?
To understand both the dangers and why you want to avoid such situations, you might like to understand what kind of person commits robberies and muggings.

Kinds of robbery
Different states have different definitions and different statutes regarding robbery. But there are basic kinds of robbery and often what you do for a living or where you live determines what kind of robbery you are most likely to encounter.

Fringe areas
Most personal robberies occur in what we call "fringe areas." This is a common term that runs through our system. What constitutes a fringe area might surprise you.

Five Stages of Violent Crime
What are the predictable - and easily identified stages a violent crime MUST go through in order to happen? How to identify when you are being set up for a violent crime

Robbery avoidance
Avoidance sounds wimpy until you are staring down the barrel of a gun, then it begins to make all sorts of sense. Unfortunately, by then it is too late. It is far easier to avoid being robbed by taking simple and easy steps.


Car jacking
Much of what you can do to prevent your vehicle from being carjacked can be found in the robbery avoidance page, however, there are some things that are specific to carjacking.

Pyramid of personal Safety
The pyramid of Personal Safety is a multilevel system designed to both discourage and foil criminals from preying on you. It is a blanket protection against several kinds of crime ranging from burglary, robbery and stalking. The more levels you include the safer you will be.

Lethal force
For those of you who find the idea of using lethal force to protect yourself uncomfortable, it is critical to realize that it exactly the level of force, whether lethal or of grave bodily injury that the robber is offering you. And that means you ARE in serious danger.

Mental Preparation

The cost of "defending yourself"
Many people think about getting a weapon or training to protect themselves from robbery. Others are appalled by the idea. We maintain this is a personal decision for each person to make. If you do chose to acquire either weapon or training, however, you are not exempt from deploying an avoidance strategy. There is a psychological cost of using lethal force on another human being. What the following article discusses is some of the long term repercussions that one must expect--especially if you did not try to avoid the situation. The article was written to get through to you a young man who had cavalierly discussed the idea of using a knife on another human being, as such the language is somewhat rough being a "Wake up Junior." Although focused on knife use, it is applicable to any lethal force usage.

Lunch Time Lectures: Crime Prevention

For businesses in the Colorado Front Range area (Denver & Colorado Springs) we offer a one-hour "Lunch Time Lecture" on crime avoidance and personal safety. We travel to your office and lecture your staff on how not to be the victim of crime. This is not a self-defense seminar, it's how not to be selected as a victim.

WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERY:

Try to stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements to upset the robber.

Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!

Activate your alarm ONLY if you can do so secretly.

Tell the robber about anything that might surprise him, such as someone who is expected to arrive soon.

If you have to move or reach, tell the robber what you are going to do and why.

Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him later.

Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life.

Give the robber time to leave.

Note his direction of travel when he leaves.

Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERY:

Call the police immediately, even if you have already activated the alarm.
Close the store and lock the door(s) if you have a key.

Do not discuss the details of the robbery with witnesses or fellow employees.

Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they can't, get their names, phone numbers and addresses.

Do not touch anything that the robber may have touched.  Block off areas where the robber was, if necessary.

Try to recall as much as you can about the robber's appearance, speech and mannerisms. Make notes.

Step outside the store when the police arrive so that they'll know the robber is gone and you are safe.

Let the police answer inquiries from the news media.
Do not discuss the amount of money taken with anyone other than police.

TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT HOME:

Do not allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.

Do not advertise that you live alone.

Don't be afraid to call the police to investigate suspicious circumstances, unusual people or strange noises. It is better to be safe then sorry.

When you move into a new home, change the locks.

Keep your curtains or shades closed at night.

Don't leave notes on your door announcing when you will be home.
Keep outdoor lights on at night.

Never give information to an unknown caller. Report nuisance calls to the police and the telephone company.

Keep your doors and windows locked. If it is warm and you leave your door open for circulation, keep the screen door locked.

If you arrive home and your door is open or things appear to be out of place - don't go in your home. Leave and call the police.

Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles to give to the police, if necessary.

TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE ON THE ROAD:

Keep your car in gear, doors locked, windows rolled up.

Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections and stop lights.

Park in areas that will be well lit when you return.

There is safety in numbers! Walk with friends or a in a group.

If you are being followed, don't drive home or get out. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or business for help. Try to note the license number and description of the car and persons following you.
Don't advertise. If you are out at night, don't wear expensive or fancy looking jewelry. This is an invitation to trouble.

If someone tries to get in your car while you are stopped - drive away quickly. 

Don't use ATM machines at night. Plan ahead and get your cash during safer times. Use ATM machines that are very visible. Avoid isolated ATM machines.

When using valet parking, provide the parking clerk with the valet key that most car manufacturers provide now. This prevents strangers from looking in your glove compartment and trunk and finding personal information.

Walk in open, well lit areas.

Avoid carrying a purse, if you can.


TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT WORK:

Keep your front doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good, two way visibility. Employees can see suspicious persons outside. Passers-by and police can see inside.

Keep the outside of your business well lit at night.

Make sure your cash register area is clearly visible to outside observers.
Practice good cash control. Keep a minimum amount in your cash drawer and make regular drops into a safe.

Advertise outside that you keep a minimal amount of cash in the register and that you will not accept large bills.

Don't keep large bills under the cash drawer. If you don't have a safe, find a less obvious place to hide your extra cash until you go to the bank.
Use a safe that the clerk cannot open alone or that requires two keys. Post that fact conspicuously, including on the safe itself.

Use video camera surveillance and make it well known.

Always have at least two clerks working at night.

Vary your banking routine. Carry cash in a variety of ways - a lunch sack, attaché case, flight bag, pocket, etc. Money bags are pretty obvious.

Vary the times and routes that you use to go to the bank.

Make deposits as often as possible, never less than once a day.

Be alert for "customers" who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while appearing to shop or browse through a magazine.

Watch for suspicious persons outside the business - especially in parked cars and around telephone booths.

If you see someone who is acting suspicious inside or outside, call the police to have them checked out.

Two persons should be on hand at opening and closing times. 
At opening time, one person should enter the store and check to see if it has been disturbed.

Before closing, one person should check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to make sure no one is hiding inside.

Keep side and back doors locked. Have employees use the main entrance, if possible.

Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to help gauge the height of a robber as he leaves.

By: Thomas "Birdy" McKee